Strawberry Liqueur - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups fresh strawberries, ripe and unblemished
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups vodka (100 proof)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Preparation

Wash and stem the berries.
In a bowl crush the berries and sugar together.
Let stand for 1 hour.
Transfer mixture to a clean 2 qt container.
Add vodka, water, lemon juice, and zests.
Cover and let stand in a cool dark place for 2 days, shaking several times each day.
Press the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, discard solids.
Transfer the liqueur to a clean container.
Cover and let stand for 1 week.
Filter into a decorative bottle with a tight fitting lid.
Age for at least 1 month before serving.