Address: 8 Mango Hill Drive, Childers, Queensland 4660

•  1kg pitted prunes
•  2 strips of orange rind approx. each approx. 12 cm
•  strained juice of one or two oranges (depending on size and your taste)
•  3 or 4 whole star anise
•  6 -8 whole cloves
•  1 large OR 2 small cinnamon quills
•  ¾ cup HILL OF PROMISE ‘3 RIGHT HANDS’ FORTIED RED

Put prunes in saucepan that allows them to be covered very generously with water.
Add other ingredients and cook over medium heat until prunes and orange rind are cooked. Cinnamon quills will open up as the fruit cooks.
Add more water as needed to keep prunes covered.

I don’t add sugar but taste and see if the juice is to your liking. Soft brown sugar can be added at the end if it is not sweet enough.

Once prunes have cooled, add the 3 RIGHT HANDS FORTIFIED and gently sitr through. Decant into 1 large mouthed glass jar (or 2 smaller ones) allowing enough room at the top and keep refrigerated.

To serve: Choose one of your best stemmed glasses or glass dishes.
Place one scoop of good quality vanilla ice-cream in the glass.
Spoon the Drunken Lords over ice-cream with as much ceremony as you can.
Gild the lily by adding a pour of fresh cream.
Serve on a large white dinner plate with thin ‘langue de chat’ biscuits or almond biscuits.

Buon appetito!

From: Maria the Little Cellar Rat’s Hill OF Promise winery kitchen