Orange Liqueur

Directions

• Wash the orange thoroughly, keeping the peel on, and poke holes all over its surface with a knife so it releases its oils and some juice.
• Pour the vodka into a tall glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
• Cover the mouth of the jar (without the lid) with pieces of gauze, mesh, or a thin cloth, making sure it’s strong enough to hold the weight of the orange.
• Gently press the cloth down into the jar opening, place the orange on it, and adjust the fruit so it sits securely in the cloth.
• Hold the edges of the cloth firmly and close the jar with the lid so the orange remains suspended.
• Store the jar in a well-ventilated place, protected from sunlight, for at least 2 months. Then remove the cloth and the orange, and close the jar again.
• Cook the water with the sugar, stirring well until it boils, dissolves completely, and forms a syrup.
• Add the sugar syrup to the vodka in the jar, close it, and let it rest for another week.
• After a week absorbing the flavor of the sugar syrup, transfer the liqueur to a bottle and it’s ready to drink.