Pumpkin Pie Liqueur Recipe

I just finished this creation.  It has a smooth and delicious pumpkin pie flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 Pumpkin
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 2 whole Cloves
• 2 whole Allspice Berries
• 1 tsp. ground Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground Ginger
• 1/2 Vanilla Bean
• 1 cup White Sugar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1.5 cups Water

Instructions:

Step 1:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the stem.
3. Scrape out the inside of the pumpkin.
4. Spray a baking sheet with a cooking spray such as Pam.
5. Place half of the pumpkin cut-side down on the oiled baking sheet.
6. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Allow to cool.
8. Using a paring knife, slice the pumpkin into 1 to 2 inch wide strips (do not use the portion that was touching the oiled pan).
9. Remove the peel and cut into cubes.
10. Place 2 cups of peeled pumpkin into a glass jar.
11. Add the vodka, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
12. Seal the jar and shake.
13. Allow to rest for 1 week, shaking occasionally.

Step 2:

1. Combine the water, white sugar, and brown sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4. Split the half vanilla bean down the middle.
5. Add the vanilla bean, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice to the infusion.
6. Add the cooled sugar syrup.
7. Shake to combine.
8. Allow to rest for 1 week, shaking occasionally.

Step 3:

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Bottle and enjoy!

Cherry Vanilla Vodka Recipe

I am going to be posting a series of flavored vodka recipes over the next few weeks.  The first one is Cherry Vanilla Vodka:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 jar drained Marachino Cherries
• 1 can drained Tart Cherries
• 1 Vanilla Bean

Instructions:

1. Cut the vanilla bean in half and split down the middle.
2. Pour all ingredients in a glass jar.
3. Seal and allow to rest for one month.
4. Strain and filter.
5. Bottle and enjoy.

Notes:

Since I wanted less of a vanilla taste, I removed the vanilla bean after one week.  I recommend tasting the infusion periodically, and removing the vanilla bean when you hit the desired strength.

Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherry Liqueur

This experiment turned out perfectly!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Everclear
• 1 cup Vodka
• 2/3 cup Cacao Nibs
• 1 jar drained Marachino Cherries
• 1 Vanilla Bean
• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 cups water

Instructions:
Step 1:

1. Cut the vanilla bean in half and split down the middle.
2. Combine the vodka, everclear, vanilla bean, cacoa nibs, and strained cherries in a glass jar.
3. Allow to infuse for 1 week.

Step 2:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Allow to cool.
3. Add to the cooled sugar water to the infusion.
4. Allow to rest for 1 week.

Step 3:

1. Strain and filter the infusion.
2. Bottle and enjoy.

Vanilla Vodka

Making flavored vodka is pretty easy.  Here's another flavored vodka recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) cheap Vodka
• 10 Vanilla Beans

Instructions:

1. Cut each vanilla bean in half.
2. Slice each half bean down the middle, leaving the quarters connected at the un-cut end.
3. Place vanilla beans in an empty vodka bottle.
4. Fill bottle with vodka.
5. Allow to rest for 1 to 2 weeks.
6. Strain and filter.

Notes:
If you don't have an empty vodka bottle laying around, just make a couple drinks with the excess vodka.  The longer you leave the beans in the vodka, the stronger the vanilla flavor will be.  I left mine in for 10 days.

Homemade Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

Here's a great recipe for a coffee liqueur that is similar to Kahlua, but not as sweet.  It's easy to make and doesn't involve an aging period.  I made it the other day, and it turned out great!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Vodka
• 1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
• 1 cup White Sugar
• 1/2 cup Instant Coffee
• 2 tbls. Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups Water

Instructions:

1. Combine white sugar, brown sugar, and water in a pot.
2. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
3. Lower heat to a simmer.
4. Add instant coffee and whisk with a wire whisk until dissolved.
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
6. Add vodka and vanilla extract and stir.
7. Pour into bottles and it's ready to drink!

Notes:
Make sure you use pure vanilla and not imitation vanilla.  I used instant coffee powder from Trader Joes.  This recipe makes approximately two 750ml bottles.