Kahlua - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 c. sugar
3 c. hot water, boiled uncovered for 20 minutes, then cooled
1/2 c. instant coffee
1 qt. 100 proof vodka
1 vanilla bean

Preparation

Mix sugar and cooled water to form a syrup.
Dissolve instant coffee in 1 cup boiling water and add to syrup.
Pour in 1-quart vodka when syrup is well mixed and not too hot.
Split vanilla bean in half, lengthwise.
Put vanilla bean in bottom of a half gallon jug.
Fill with mixture and let stand, capped, at room temperature for 2 weeks.