Plum brandy

1 . Stage

Make sure the plum halves are clean and dry, then put them in a large sterilised glass jar. Add the sugar, brandy, cinnamon stick and star anise. Seal and gently rotate the jar to help dissolve the sugar.

2 . Stage

Continue to gently shake or rotate the jar (trying not to bash the fruit too much) every day for a week.

3 . Stage

Once the sugar has dissolved, leave it in a cool dark cupboard for another 2 weeks to infuse.

4 . Stage

Strain the mixture through a sieve lined with muslin, kitchen paper or coffee filter paper. Discard the plums, any fruit pulp and the spices, and pour the strained brandy into a bottle. Will keep for two months.