I've seen a lot of fruit compote recipes, various fruits in syrup/spiced/liqueurs, etc. My mother used to keep a jar of dried fruit rehydrated in cold water for several days in the refrigerator, (we loved that) and someone could probably touch up that recipe and make it more elegant.
I remember the recipe you're talking about. It must have been from the mid-70's. I remember the flurry of recipes. It was supposed to be some sort of brandied fruit, and after you mixed it up, it "started", and you could give some to a friend to "start" theirs. I was never sure I wanted to keep something growing on my counter that was intended to eat. Also, anything that has yeast growing in it will end up cloudy and "yeasty" tasting.
But I searched on "friendship fruit", and here's what I found--
http://www.aint-that-cute.com/fruitcup.htm
It looks like they have several recipes like the one you're looking for.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.