Home made Vanilla and Cranberry Liqueur

 Holiday gift giving or for your own cooking you can make your own vanilla and liqueur with ease.
Cranberry Liqueur
Heat 3/4 c sugar with 3/4 c water until dissolved, set aside to cool.
Finely chop 2 c whole fresh cranberries
Add sugar water and cranberries to 2 c vodka and place in jar or bottle, seal and store in cool dark cupboard shaking every other day. Allow at least 3 weeks until use.

 Vanilla
Split one large vanilla bean lengthwise and add to approx. 2 c vodka.
Shake a few times a week and allow 10-12 weeks. You will see the vanilla grow darker until it reaches a rich color. Photo below is about 4 weeks in for the vanilla and the very day liqueur was made.

Vanilla beans will be sold at better grocery stores or in a natural foods section. They are usually around $3.00 each. Bottles were purchased at TJ Max.
Here is an online source for bottles -Specialty Bottles.

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