Plumdog Millionaire Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/29/21
Plumdog Millionaire Cocktail with Bulldog Gin

Bulldog Gin

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

An obvious play on the hit movie, "Slumdog Millionaire," the Plumdog Millionaire is a very unique and innovative cocktail recipe that you simply have to try. It was created by John Freeman for Bulldog Gin and is an excellent use of the London dry with a poppy and dragon's eye twist.

It's rather rare that plums make an appearance in cocktails and even more unusual for it to be paired with lavender. It works, though! The primary plum flavor comes from plum wine (a sweet-sour liqueur that's also called umeshu), a favorite product of Japan that rivals the popularity of sake. It is the perfect complement to a gin as complex as Bulldog and the two bold flavors are lightly accented with Dry Sparkling Lavender Soda.

This is a cocktail that's too good to keep to yourself, so be sure to share with friends! You'll find it to be an excellent match for almost any meal featuring Asian cuisine.

Ingredients

  • Lavender sugar, for rimming

  • 2 ounces gin

  • 1 ounce plum wine

  • 1 ounce lavender soda

  • 1/2 slice black plum, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Rim a cocktail glass with lavender sugar: Wet the rim by either wiping the slice of plum around the rim or dunking it in a small dish of plum wine, then roll it in a dish of lavender sugar.

  3. In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the gin, plum wine, and lavender soda.

  4. Stir well.

  5. Strain into the prepared glass.

  6. Garnish by floating the plum slice on top of the drink. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • The lavender sugar rim really sets this drink over the top. Don't skip it if you want to enjoy the Plumdog Millionaire's full experience. Luckily, lavender sugar is easy to make: Place 1 tablespoon of lavender in a food processor and chop it into small pieces for about 15 seconds, add 1 cup of white sugar and blend, then whisk in 1 additional cup of sugar.
  • If you cannot find Dry's version (it's getting easier as the company's distribution grows), you can make your own lavender soda by combining about 2 ounces of lavender syrup with 4 to 6 ounces of club soda. Adjust these amounts to suit your taste.
  • For another homemade ingredient, try the maesil ju recipe. It's Korea's version of plum wine that uses soju, honey, brown sugar, and green plums.

Recipe Variation

Serve this drink on the rocks if you prefer. As written, the recipe is the ideal volume for an old-fashioned glass. It's also a lovely spritzer when served in a tall glass; add more soda to fill.

How Strong Is a Plumdog Millionaire?

The Plumdog Millionaire is as strong as the average fruit martini. Its alcohol content should fall somewhere around 21 percent ABV (42 proof). To put it into perspective, it's equivalent to the cosmopolitan.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
465 Calories
2g Fat
77g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 465
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 77g 28%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 66g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 68mg 341%
Calcium 41mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 946mg 20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)