velvet slipper

Put water and sugar in a heavy based saucepan and stir over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Add most of the berries into the sugar water and heat through. Crush the berries (using either a wooden spoon or a potato masher, giving a rough texture). Set aside the mixture to cool. Blend the mixture until a smooth liquid, then sieve to get rid of the fruit seeds. (A friend assures me that the fruity pips are yummy on toast . . . I suppose it depends on how much you like picking the damn things out of your teeth!) Add the vodka, lemon juice and Cointreau or brandy if using to the fruit mixture and chill. To serve: fill highball or other tall glasses with crushed ice and top with the vodka berry mixture.