Christmas Pudding Vodka Recipes

Steps:

• Sterilise a 1.5-litre preserving jar. Tip the dried fruit, citrus zests, sugar, spices and vanilla pod into the jar.
• Pour half the vodka into the jar. Seal the lid, then turn the jar upside-down and give it a good shake to evenly distribute the sugar. Remove the lid and add the remaining vodka, the brandy and amaretto.
• Re-seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place, turning or shaking it once a day for the first week. After two to three weeks, strain the vodka through a sieve lined with coffee filter papers or a clean kitchen cloth. Use the soaked fruit in festive bakes such as a fruit cake, pudding or mincemeat.
• Decant the strained vodka into sterilised bottles and label. The vodka will keep well for about two years, but the flavour will be best in the first six months.

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a large, clean jar. Swirl to dissolve the sugar, then leave to infuse for 24-48 hrs in a cool, dark place.
• Strain the infused gin into a jug through a fine sieve or coffee filter, then pour into one large clean bottle or several small ones if giving as gifts. Will keep for a few weeks at room temperature or longer chilled.