Vietnamese salted plum soda, or soda xí muội, brings preserved plum, sweetness, and sparkling water together in an icy drink. This proposed recipe pairs salted plums with a simple sugar mixture, then adds cold soda water just before serving. A little lime juice is optional if you want a sharper finish.
The most useful adjustment is balancing the particular plums you have. Preserved plums can differ in saltiness, sweetness, texture, and acidity, so the quantities below are a starting point rather than a fixed formula. Taste the plum mixture before adding the bubbles, and make small adjustments instead of trying to correct an overly strong drink at the end.
Recipe Overview
- Yield: 2 servings
- Preparation time: About 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 0 minutes; no cooking required
- Equipment: Small bowl, fork or spoon, measuring spoons, and 2 tall glasses
This version leaves some mashed plum in the glass for texture. For a smoother drink, strain the plum mixture before dividing it between the glasses. Either way, keep the soda water chilled and unopened until the other ingredients are ready.
Ingredients
These proposed quantities make two moderately sized drinks. Check the plum package so you know whether the fruit is pitted and whether it contains added sweeteners or seasonings.
- 4 small preserved salted plums: Pits removed; use plums with flesh soft enough to mash.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: Plus a little extra, only if needed after tasting.
- 2 tablespoons warm water: For dissolving the sugar; no stovetop heating is needed.
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, optional: Start with less if the plums already taste sharply sour.
- 2 cups chilled plain soda water: Use unflavored sparkling water without added sugar.
- 1 cup ice: Approximately 1/2 cup per glass.
Choosing the Plums
For this preparation, soft preserved salted plums are easier to work with than very dry, hard ones. If you have a choice, select a product whose ingredient list fits the flavor you want. Sweetened plums may need less added sugar, while strongly salted plums may call for a smaller amount of fruit in each glass.
Do not substitute fresh plums in equal quantities and expect the same result. They would make a different fruit soda and would not supply the preserved, salty component this recipe is designed around.
How to Make Salted Plum Soda
- Prepare the plums, about 3 minutes. Remove any pits and check the surrounding flesh for hard fragments. Put the plum flesh in a small bowl. Chop it first if the pieces are too large to mash easily.
- Dissolve the sugar, about 2 minutes. Stir the 2 tablespoons sugar into the 2 tablespoons warm water until no visible grains remain. If the mixture is slow to dissolve, continue stirring rather than adding it to the drink while gritty.
- Mash and balance, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar mixture to the plums and mash with a fork or the back of a spoon. Stir in the optional lime juice a little at a time. Taste a small amount; it will be concentrated, but should offer a balance of salty, sweet, and tart flavors. If needed, dissolve a little additional sugar in the mixture before proceeding.
- Build the drinks. Divide the plum mixture between two tall glasses and add about 1/2 cup ice to each. If the mixture tastes especially salty or intense, begin with less in each glass and keep the remainder aside for adjustment.
- Add the bubbles and serve. Slowly pour about 1 cup chilled soda water into each glass. Stir gently once or twice, lifting some plum from the bottom without vigorously agitating the soda. Taste and add a little of the reserved plum mixture, if needed. Allow about 3 minutes for assembling and finishing both drinks, then serve immediately.
Tips for a Balanced Drink
Adjust the Plum Before Adding More Sugar
If the mixture is overwhelmingly salty, more sugar alone may make it both too sweet and too salty. Use less plum mixture per glass instead. Once the soda water is added, you can increase the plum gradually until the flavor suits you.
Dissolve Sugar Before Adding Soda
Adding dry sugar directly to an icy drink can leave grains at the bottom. Dissolving it in warm water first makes the sweetness easier to distribute without repeated stirring. The small amount of warm water is balanced by the chilled soda and ice.
Keep the Final Stir Gentle
Combine the plum and sugar thoroughly before opening the soda. Once the sparkling water is in the glass, a light stir is enough. Avoid shaking the finished drink or repeatedly stirring it, which encourages the bubbles to escape.
Pay Attention to Texture
A little plum pulp gives the drink substance, but large pieces can be awkward to sip. Mash the fruit finely, or push the prepared plum-and-sugar mixture through a small strainer for a smoother version. Discard any remaining pits or hard fragments rather than leaving them in the glass.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Serve the soda immediately while the ice is firm and the drink is bubbly. A long spoon is useful for gently redistributing plum that settles at the bottom. For advance preparation, keep the plum mixture covered and refrigerated separately; add the ice and soda only when serving.
- Less sweet: Begin with 1 tablespoon sugar instead of 2, especially if the preserved plums are already sweetened.
- Without lime: Omit the optional juice and let the preserved plum provide the tart element.
- Smoother: Strain the mashed plum mixture before assembling the drinks.
- Lighter plum flavor: Divide a smaller amount of the prepared mixture between the glasses, then adjust after adding soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use lemon-lime soda instead of plain soda water?
You can, but it changes both the sweetness and flavor. For that variation, omit the added sugar initially, mash the plums with the water, and taste after adding the sweetened soda. Add sugar only if necessary.
What if my preserved plums are very dry?
This 10-minute recipe assumes soft, mashable plums. Very dry fruit may need additional soaking before it can be mashed; the time depends on the product. Follow any package preparation directions, or choose softer preserved plums for the timing given here.
Why does my drink taste too strong?
The preserved plums may be more concentrated than the starting quantities allow for. Add a little more chilled soda water, or use less plum mixture in the next glass. Taste before adding extra sugar or lime, since either could push the balance further in the wrong direction.
Can I make a larger batch?
Yes. Scale the plum, sugar, water, and optional lime mixture for the number of servings, then assemble individual glasses with ice and soda. Keeping the sparkling water separate until serving makes it easier to preserve the bubbles and adjust each drink.
