Dark Sparklers

Ingredients

• 4 small black plums, quartered and pitted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Sparkling wine, for serving

Steps

1. In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients except the sparkling wine with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat until the plums are very soft and the syrup is deep purple, about 20 minutes.
2. Strain the syrup through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids. You should have 2 cups. Let the syrup cool completely, then refrigerate until chilled.
3. For each cocktail, pour 1 ounce of syrup into a flute and top with sparkling wine.