Cordially Yours (Homemade Fruit Liqueurs) - cooking recipe

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)

Preparation

In a small saucepan heat together the sugar and water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool.
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.
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.
ORANGE CORDIAL:.
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.
BANANA CORDIAL:.
Peel and thinly slice 1 ripe banana; steep the mixture for 1 week.
MANGO CORDIAL:.
Peel, pit and chop 2 ripe mangoes; steep the mixture for 1 to 2 weeks.
PEAR CORDIAL:.
Peel, core and thinly slice 6 medium pears; steep mixture for 3 weeks.