How to preserve fruit in alcohol

Alcohol is a very effective preservative for fruit. Brandy is most often used, but you can also try whisky, gin, rum or vodka — all contain enough alcohol to kill most spoilage micro-organisms. Here are some tips to help you get started.

• The alcohol is generally mixed with a sugar and water syrup and poured over the prepared fruit, which absorbs the alcohol, becoming rich and strong tasting, while the liquid takes on the flavour of the fruit.
• Leave to mature for about two months before eating.
• Serve the fruit with cream, ice cream or yogurt, or use as a pancake or waffle topping; the fragrant liqueur can be sipped as an after-dinner drink or spooned over sponge cake for a luxurious dessert.

Fruits most suitable for preserving in alcohol are cherries, grapes, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, raspberries, strawberries and pineapple.

• Some fruit and alcohol combinations you could try include: apricots or peaches in brandy, flavoured with cinnamon; apricots in orange liqueur, flavoured with slivers of orange peel; and kumquats or orange slices in brandy.

• The fruit must be ripe and perfect and is best left whole. Use one type of fruit only, or layer fruits of contrasting colours.
• Wash the fruit and pack it into sterilized jars.

To make a basic alcohol and syrup mixture you will need:

• 500 millilitres (two cups) of alcohol
• 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of sugar
• 60 millilitres (1/4 cup) of water for each 500 grams (one pound) of fruit.

Instructions:

1. Pour over the fruit and seal the jars. You may also vary the proportions to taste.

Another method is to use equal amounts of prepared fruit, alcohol and sugar (250 millilitres, or one cup, of each, for example).

• Put in a large, sterilized jar, stir gently and seal.
• In either method, flavourings such as cloves, cinnamon or thin slivers of orange peel can be added.
• Fruit preserved in alcohol will keep almost indefinitely, although soft fruits lose their texture if stored too long.

Keep this guide in mind and try preserving your fruit in alcohol for a flavourful treat that's sure to impress.