Quarante-Quatre

Quarante-Quatre is one of the many under-the-radar pleasures of Normandy, and can be found in most well-stocked liquour cabinets. I got a recipe from a local. Here is our take on it

1 unpeeled washed orange
44 cloves
1 litre of Somerset Cider Brandy 3 year old
44 cubes of sugar
44 coffee beans
Stab the orange 44 times with a small, sharp knife. Insert one clove into each incision. Place the orange and all other ingredients in a large glass container. Stir or shake it over the next two days until the sugar is completely dissolved. Store for 44 days in a dark place. Strain, bottle and drink.