Cordially Yours (Homemade Fruit Liqueurs)

• SIMPLE SYRUP
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 1/2 cups vodka (750 ml bottle)
• orange, bananas, mangoes, pears (see specific amounts below)

1. In a small saucepan heat together the sugar and water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool.
2. Pour sugar syrup into a 2 quart glass jar. Add desired fruit and vodka; stir gently. Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid; let stand (steep) in a cool place for the suggested time.
3. After steeping, use a wire strainer and strain liquid through several thickness of 100% cotton cheesecloth or coffee filter into a large bowl. Using a funnel, transfer mixture to a bottle. Seal and label. Store at room temperature.
4. ORANGE CORDIAL:.
5. With a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, remove the thin orange layer of peel from 3 oranges, taking care to avoid the bitter white layer. Use peel to prepare cordial, reserving fruit for another use; steep the mixture for 3 weeks.
6. BANANA CORDIAL:.
7. Peel and thinly slice 1 ripe banana; steep the mixture for 1 week.
8. MANGO CORDIAL:.
9. Peel, pit and chop 2 ripe mangoes; steep the mixture for 1 to 2 weeks.
10. PEAR CORDIAL:.
11. Peel, core and thinly slice 6 medium pears; steep mixture for 3 weeks.

simple syrup, sugar, water, vodka, orange

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/cordially-yours-homemade-fruit-liqueurs-402141 (may not work)