Strawberry Liqueur

• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 2 12 cups vodka
• 1 vanilla bean
• 12 cup sugar syrup
• 4 cups water
• 1 lb sugar

1. Select full colored and plumb berries, avoiding stained baskets (sign of overripe or softened and decayed berries).
2. DO NOT wash until ready to use as water causes mold to form.
3. Rinse berries and place in a mixing bowl, lightly crushing to release flavor.
4. Add vodka and vanilla bean.
5. Stir and store in bottle in cool dark place for 3 weeks.
6. Strain mixture through dampened cheesecloth squeezing as much juice as possible.
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. Dissolve sugar in water and bring to a boil.
9. Cool before using.

fresh strawberries, vodka, vanilla bean, sugar syrup, water, sugar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/strawberry-liqueur-14573 (may not work)