Cordially Yours (Homemade Fruit Liqueurs)

These take patience...up to 3 weeks to marry the flavors. Pour an ounce or two into cordial glasses or small wine glasses. Can be poured over crushed ice to reduce the sweetness and alcohol and increase the richness of the aroma. These also make an elegant addition to coffee. Adapted from Southern Living.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 20
• Yields: 5 cups

Ingredients

• 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)

Directions

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.