Ideal for giving as a gift, they can be used as an accompaniment to ice-cream or to rich chocolate cakes. Muscatel Raisins are the best for this if you can get hold of them.

Ingredients

• 500 grams Muscatel raisins
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup Drambuie
• 2 vanilla pods

Method

1. Put the raisins, water, sugar and Drambuie in a saucepan and bring to a slow simmer, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add vanilla pods and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the raisins have soaked up most of the syrup.
3. Bottle into hot, sterilised jars.

Cooks Tips

- You can use other liqueurs or spirits in place of Drambuie, Brandy, Whisky or Grand Mariner are good.