Plum Syrup (Jaducheong) Made with Red-Fleshed Plums
Making Plum Syrup with Red-Fleshed Plums: Enjoy Plum Smoothies and Plum Ade!
I’ve always made plum syrup with yellow-fleshed plums, but this year, I tried making a beautiful, red plum syrup with crisp, tart red-fleshed plums (also known as ‘pijadu’ in Korean)! This syrup offers a delightful tangy-sweet flavor and a vibrant color, perfect for refreshing drinks.
Plum Syrup Ingredients
- 45 ripe red-fleshed plums (pijadu)
- 7-8 cups sugar (adjust to taste and plum quantity)
- 1/2 cup vinegar (optional, for enhanced flavor and preservation)
Plum Smoothie (Serves 2-3)
- 1 cup homemade plum syrup
- 185ml cider (or sparkling water)
- 4 cups ice
- 2-3 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
Plum Ade (Serves 1-2)
- 1 cup homemade plum syrup
- 1 bottle (approx. 500ml) sparkling water (chilled)
- 3 cups ice
- 1 cup homemade plum syrup
- 185ml cider (or sparkling water)
- 4 cups ice
- 2-3 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
Plum Ade (Serves 1-2)
- 1 cup homemade plum syrup
- 1 bottle (approx. 500ml) sparkling water (chilled)
- 3 cups ice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the plums. Fill a large bowl with water and add about 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let the plums soak for about 10 minutes to help loosen any dirt or residue. After soaking, rinse each plum carefully under running water and pat them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Ensuring the plums are dry is crucial for the syrup’s shelf life.
Step 2
The red-fleshed plums chosen for this year are especially beautiful because their flesh is stained a vibrant red all the way to the pit. When you take a bite, you’ll enjoy their crisp texture, and the rich, red juice will delightfully flow, making you anticipate the delicious syrup you’re about to make!
Step 3
Cut the clean, prepared plums into bite-sized pieces (remove the pits and quarter them or cut into 2-4 wedges). Place the cut plums in a bowl and generously sprinkle the sugar over them. You can adjust the amount of sugar based on the sweetness of the plums and your personal preference. A common ratio is 1:1 by weight of plums to sugar, or slightly more sugar.
Step 4
Gently mix the plums and sugar with a spatula or your hands until the sugar evenly coats the fruit. Be careful not to overmix or mash the plums; a gentle combination is key. If you’re using vinegar, adding it now will enhance the tart flavor and help with preservation.
Step 5
Transfer the well-mixed plum and sugar mixture into sterilized glass jars or airtight containers. Pack the plums down firmly to minimize air pockets and prevent them from floating to the top, which helps the sugar dissolve and the syrup to mature properly.
Step 6
After filling the jars, let them sit at room temperature for one day before refrigerating. This allows the sugar to dissolve and the juices to start releasing. After this initial period, seal the jars tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 days to allow the flavors to meld. For a deeper flavor, you can let it mature for about 2 weeks.
Step 7
Now, let’s make refreshing drinks with your homemade plum syrup! Start by adding a generous amount of ice cubes to your blender. Then, add the plum syrup, including the fruit pieces and the delicious syrup itself. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a little cider or water.
Step 8
Time to blend! Initially, it might seem like the ice is too much for the blender to handle. Start on a high setting, and as the mixture starts to break down, continue blending until you achieve a smooth, icy consistency.
Step 9
If you find the ice isn’t blending smoothly, or if you prefer a creamier smoothie texture, add the entire 185ml can of cider. The carbonation and sweetness from the cider will help break down the ice and plums more easily, adding a refreshing effervescence to the smoothie.
Step 10
Blend again after adding the cider. You’ll notice the mixture becomes much smoother and finer. The ice particles will transform into a snow-like texture, and the blender will operate more efficiently.
Step 11
Wow! Your vibrant, refreshing plum smoothie is ready. Just looking at it makes your mouth water, doesn’t it? You must be excited about the sweet and tangy flavor that will fill your mouth!
Step 12
For an extra touch of sweetness and richness, drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of honey over the finished smoothie, adjusting to your preference. The subtle sweetness of the honey will beautifully complement the tartness of the plums.
Step 13
Now for the best part – tasting! Take a generous spoonful, and you’ll be amazed by the incredibly cool, sweet, and tart plum slushie. The honey adds a wonderfully chewy, caramel-like texture that blends perfectly with the fruit, creating an absolutely delightful taste. It’s the perfect drink to beat the heat!
Step 14
Next, let’s make the incredibly refreshing Plum Ade! Start by adding about 1 cup of your homemade plum syrup to a beautiful glass. You can adjust the amount of syrup according to your liking. Then, fill the glass generously with about 3 cups of ice.
Step 15
Now, slowly pour a chilled bottle (approx. 500ml) of sparkling water into the glass. The bubbles will add a refreshing fizz and create a wonderful harmony with the plum syrup. Pour slowly to prevent the carbonation from overflowing.
Step 16
Voilà! Your beautifully vibrant and refreshing Plum Ade is complete. The bright red plum pieces floating within look absolutely stunning, don’t they?
Step 17
Before you take a sip, gently stir the drink with a long spoon or straw. This ensures the plum syrup and sparkling water are well combined, allowing the full flavor of the plums to infuse into the drink.
Step 18
Take a cool sip, and brace yourself! The ice-cold beverage will travel down your throat, and the sharp fizziness of the sparkling water will burst in your mouth, mingling with the sweet and tart plum flavor. It’s an invigorating and refreshing taste that will wake up your senses!
Step 19
For an even more delightful experience, try chewing on the plum pieces and ice cubes along with the drink. You’ll feel a refreshing coolness spread through your forehead as you chew. It’s a magical taste that will instantly bring back your appetite, especially on a hot day! Enjoy your cool and delicious summer with this plum syrup!
