Initially I simmered them for hours. Then I switched to cooking them in a CrockPot which doesn't require that you be home to attend to a pot on the stove. Either way, make sure to discard all the dried fruit as it is useless and too mushy to be pleasing.

Try the liquid both chilled and warm to see what you like better

I also put prunes and whatever dried berries I have on hand.

Too many raisins make the liquid too strong. Better use more apricots.

Let me know how it goes!