Found another westernized #梅酒 #umeshu recipe https://itadakimasuanime.wordpress.com/2017/06/19/summer-in-a-glass-homemade-umeshu-plum-wine/ with an anime twist, same basic idea but pictures of the stem removal.
And another https://www.diversivore.com/umeshu/ with a good discussion on alternative spirits to use, like rum or gin instead of vodka when you can’t get #焼酎 #shouchuu