Homemade Blackberry Brandy (Vargas and Gulling) Recipe

From Cordials From Your Kitchen by Pattie Vargas and Rich Gulling:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 pound fresh blackberries, picked over and washed
• 1 fifth brandy
• 1 teaspoon fruit protector*

* I have no idea what this is, possibly it's a common additive in jelly-making or canning.

Boil sugar and water together, cool. Crush blackberries, add fruit protector, let stand 2 hours. Mix all ingredients. Steep 1 month, shaking every day. Strain and filter (consider standing another day to let solids fall to bottom, and siphon off the top), age 1 to 3 months.