Plum Punch

I had a book signing party for my new memoir 

Stairway to Paradise: Growing Up Gershwin

and offered this punch.

1. Heat in a Medium Pot for one hour and chill:

                        1 cup               Water

                        40                    Plums, pitted

                        ½ cup              Sugar

                        3 cloves           Clove

                        8 Inches           Ginger, freshly grated

                        6 inches           Turmeric, freshly grated

                        1 stick              Cinnamon

Serve straight or add:             

                        ½ cup              Sparking Water

                        1 sprig             Mint