Luxembourg Mirabelle Plum and Thyme Spritz with Sparkling Wine

Combine the plums, sugar, water and 4 thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups ripe mirabelle or yellow plums, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more to garnish
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 bottle chilled dry sparkling wine
• 1 cup chilled sparkling water
• Ice cubes, to serve
• Extra plum halves, to garnish

Instructions

1. Combine the plums, sugar, water and 4 thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, pressing the fruit against the side of the pan with a spoon, until the plums have completely collapsed and the syrup is a glowing amber-gold.
3. Remove from the heat and let the syrup steep with the thyme for another 20 minutes as it cools, which is where most of the herbal aroma develops.
4. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing firmly on the solids to extract everything, then stir in the lemon juice. Chill thoroughly, at least 2 hours.
5. Fill six tall glasses with ice and pour about 2 tablespoons of the chilled plum syrup into each.
6. Top each glass with the sparkling wine, pouring slowly down the side to keep the bubbles lively, then add a splash of sparkling water.
7. Stir once, very gently, just to marble the syrup through the drink without knocking out the fizz.
8. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and a plum half, and serve immediately while ice cold.
9. Mirabelles are small, honey-sweet golden plums that ripen for only a few weeks in late summer across Luxembourg and the neighboring Lorraine region, where they are turned into tarts, preserves and the famous local eau-de-vie. This spritz treats them more gently, letting the syrup carry their apricot-like perfume, and the thyme keeps it from tipping into anything cloying. Any ripe yellow plum from the farmers market makes a fine substitute.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 180 kcal
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 10mg