National Brandied Fruit Day Date in the current year: October 20, 2024

Brandied fruit (also known as brandy fruit) were quite popular in the 1970s, but have fallen out of fashion since then. Perhaps National Brandied Fruit Day is an attempt to revive interest in this dish. Brandied fruit can be made with different kinds of brandy such as cognac, applejack, schnapps, kirschwasser etc.

If you want to celebrate National Brandied Fruit Day, you should start making brandied fruit in advance because it takes at least one week for the fruit to get properly soaked with brandy. How to make brandied fruit?

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup dried apricots, 1 cup plump prunes, 1 cup dried figs, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup dried cherries. Put 1/4 of the fruit in a lidded glass jar. Add 1/2 tsp raw sugar, 2 long strips clementine peel, 2 thin slices ginger, and 1 star anise pod. Repeat 3 more times. Pour over about 375 ml brandy (the liquid should barely cover the fruit). Seal the jar with a lid. Let sit for at leas one week before eating.

Of course, you are welcome experiment with different combination of fruit and spices.