Lotte Duncan's Plum Vodka

Place the plums and the caster sugar together with 4 tablespoons cold water into a medium saucepan. Place over a gentle heat and cook until the sugar has dissolved and the plums are tender. Cool.

Pour the vodka or gin over the plums and stir. Transfer to a couple of wide mouthed 1 litre/13/4pint Kilner jars, secure the lids in place and set aside to steep in a cool, dark place for 2 months.

Strain (reserving the plums, see Lotte’s tips) and then bottle and drink. It's lovely with tonic and a slice of lime or just neat.

The alcohol-soaked plums will happily keep for a few months and are delicious in Christmas pudding or cake...! Or I occasionally put one or two in a pie.