Liquori Casalinghi (Cherry Liqueur)

• 1 1/2 lbs ripe flavorful cherries
• 1 cup sugar, less 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup water, plus
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 3/4 cups grain alcohol or 1 3/4 cups vodka

1. You will need to crush the cherries along with their pits. I found it was easiest to use a heavy duty extra large zip lock, adding a handful of cherries at a time, and smash each cherry with a hammer. Be sure to crust the pit well. Push the pulp to the bottom of the bag and add the next handful.
2. Leave covered in a dark place for 24 hours.
3. After 24 hours, boil the water and add the sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.
4. Put cherry mixture in a fine muslin bag, or use a fine sieve, and squeeze the juice into a bowl.
5. Add the cherry juice to the sugar syrup mixture and set aside to cool.
6. Add alcohol to the cooled cherry syrup.
7. Pour into a jar with a tight fitting lid and place in a cool dark place for one week.
8. After one week, filter into a cool looking bottle, seal, and age it for at least six months before you pop the top.

flavorful cherries, sugar, water, water, grain alcohol

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/liquori-casalinghi-cherry-liqueur-173249 (may not work)