Spiced Honeyed Apricots

1½ cups water
1/3 cup turbinado sugar
2 Tbsp. honey
2 strips orange zest
1 stick cinnamon
2 star anise pods
6 fresh apricots, pitted and halved
1-2 tsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Simmer first 6 ingredients (through star anise) in a medium saucepan until reduced by half (15-20 minutes). Stir in the apricots, and simmer 3 minutes; cool to room temperature (about 1 hour).

Remove star anise and cinnamon stick. Add lemon juice to taste.