Plum Ginger Cordial Mocktail with White Tea
A refreshing zero-alcohol mocktail combining stewed plums and fresh ginger into a fragrant cordial, balanced with delicate white tea and sparkling water. The warm spice of ginger complements the tart-sweet plums, making this an elegant, no-fuss drink for holiday gatherings, Thanksgiving celebrations, or any gathering where a sophisticated alcohol-free option is needed. This version prioritizes the cordial-making technique, allowing the syrup to be prepared ahead and mixed to order.
Ingredients
- 4 plums, quartered, pits removed, plus more for garnishnectarines or peaches1:1fruit
sweeter result
- 1 inch knob fresh ginger, peeled
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups water, divided
- 2 white tea bagschamomile tea bags1:1tea
caffeine-free
- 1 cup sparkling water
Instructions
- 1
Combine plums, ginger, orange juice, sugar, and 1 cup water in a saucepan.
- 2
Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until plums break down, about 10 minutes.
- 3
Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
- 4
Boil the remaining 1 cup water, remove from heat, and steep white tea bags until infused, about 5 minutes.
- 5
Fill glasses with ice.
- 6
Add 1 ounce brewed white tea to each glass.
- 7
Add 2 ounces plum-ginger cordial to each glass.
- 8
Top with 4 ounces sparkling water and stir.
- 9
Garnish with sliced plums.
Tips
Make the cordial up to 5 days ahead and store in the refrigerator; mix drinks to order for best carbonation and fresh flavor.
Substitute the white tea with brewed chamomile or oolong for different flavor profiles without changing the cordial base.
Good to Know
Cordial keeps refrigerated up to 5 days in an airtight container. Brewed white tea keeps 2 days refrigerated.
Prepare cordial up to 5 days ahead. Brew white tea up to 2 days ahead. Assemble drinks to order just before serving.
Serve immediately after assembly over ice. Garnish with fresh plum slices.
Common Mistakes
Do not over-simmer the plums to avoid a cloudy cordial; 10 minutes is sufficient for full flavor extraction.
Do not let white tea steep longer than 5 minutes to avoid bitterness.
Substitutions
sweeter result
caffeine-free
FAQ
Can I make this cordial alcohol-based?
Yes. After straining the cooked plum mixture, stir in 1 cup vodka or gin. Skip the white tea step and serve cordial with ice and a splash of sparkling water or soda.
How long does the cordial keep?
The plum-ginger cordial keeps refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays for up to 3 months and thaw as needed.
Can I adjust sweetness?
Yes. Taste the strained cordial before serving and add more sugar if needed, stirring until dissolved. Start with 1/2 cup as written and increase by 2 tablespoon increments.