Strawberry Liqueur

Ingredients

• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 2 1/2 cups vodka
• 1 vanilla bean
• 1/2 cup sugar syrup

Sugar syrup

• 4 cups water
• 1 lb sugar

Directions

1. 1

   Select full colored and plumb berries, avoiding stained baskets (sign of overripe or softened and decayed berries).

2. 2

   DO NOT wash until ready to use as water causes mold to form.

3. 3

   Rinse berries and place in a mixing bowl, lightly crushing to release flavor.

4. 4

   Add vodka and vanilla bean.

5. 5

   Stir and store in bottle in cool dark place for 3 weeks.

6. 6

   Strain mixture through dampened cheesecloth squeezing as much juice as possible.

7. 7

   Pour back into bottle adding sugar syrup to taste (1/3 to 1/2 cup per pint) and age another 3-5 weeks.

8. 8

   Dissolve sugar in water and bring to a boil.

9. 9

   Cool before using.