Ukrainian Fruit Vodka (Varenukha)

• 1/2 cup dried apples
• 1/4 cup cherries, pitted
• 1/2 sm. pear, thickly sliced
• 2 to 3 plums, halved and pitted
• 1 qt. vodka
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/8 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 bay leaf
• Flour and water paste

1. Place each of the four fruits in a separate bowl.
2. Cover the fruits with the vodka.
3. Let them stand for five to six hours.
4. Pour the vodka and the fruits into a crock.
5. Stir in the honey, spices and bay leaf.
6. Cover the crock with its lid and seal the edges with flour and water paste.
7. Bake in a 200F oven for 10 to 12 hours.
8. Strain the mixture through a sieve lined with a double layer of cheesecloth or muslin.
9. Serve either hot or cold.

dried apples, cherries, pear, vodka, honey, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, black pepper, bay leaf, flour

Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/18298 (may not work)