Homemade Liquors, Great Christmas Gifts

What an awesome gift! or really just for yourself :)

Coffee Liqueur
1 (2 ounce) jar instant espresso coffee powder
3 1/2 cups white sugar
2 cups boiling water
1 pint vodka
1 whole vanilla bean
Mix coffee and sugar. Add boiling water and stir until dissolved. Cool.
Add Vodka and pour into two 26 ounce empty bottles. Split vanilla into 4 pieces and add to bottles.
Close bottles tightly and keep in a cool dark place for one month.
Fall Spice Cordial
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 cups apple juice
1 tsp real vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp dried, chopped orange peel
1 cup white brandy
1/2 cup 100 proof vodka
Bring brown sugar, white sugar and apple juice to a boil over medium-high heat. Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and orange peel. Boil for 4 minutes and remove from heat. Let stand until just warm. Transfer to a clean 1 qt aging vessel. Add vanilla, brandy and vodka. Cover tightly and let stand for 1-4 weeks. Filter out solids before bottling.
Almond Liqueur (like Amaretto)
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 tablespoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine water and sugars in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the mixture is boiling, and all of the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
Stir vodka, almond extract and vanilla extract into the mixture. Store in a sealed bottle.

Scented Pine Cones, Oh So Yummy Smelling.

I took the 6 year old out picking up pine cones while the younger one napped. She had so much fun finding and gathering the pine cones from the yard. She knew we were doing a craft, but she didn't care she was having fun. These will be some Christmas gifts this year for some of our neighbors and friends. These are perfect for putting in a decorative bowl or throw one or two in the fireplace while it is burning to release a nice cinnamon scent. Are you ready?

I brought them in, washed them off, and laid them out onto a baking/cookie sheet covered in foil ( make sure to put a layer of foil down prior to using baking/cookie sheet because of sap). I then preheated the oven to 200 degrees and popped the cookie sheet in with the pine cones laid out flat. Heat the pine cones until they pop open. The heating also ensures that any insects are killed and any sap is heated off. Once the pine cones have popped open feel free to remove one by one from the oven if others have not opened up. Allow the pine cones to cool down. Then, grab a plastic baggy and put the cool pine cones in it. Then add several drops of cinnamon essential oil and shake around and allow pine cones to sit 7 days in the plastic baggy to absorb the essential oil. If you are doing lots of pine cones you will probably have several plastic bags filled with pine cones.

Put these pine cones in a decorative bag with a pretty tag for gifts. If you can find some mesh bags they would be the ideal bag, but very hard to find. I put a paper bag through the printer and print on it. Then I fill the bag with the pine cones to give away.

There you have it! Enjoy!

Do It Yourself Vanilla Extract

So many recipes at this time of year call for vanilla extract, and it can be expensive if you don't get imitation. To lessen the costs, here is a do-at-home vanilla extract.

Ingredients and Materials:

4 oz. Mason jars (use how every many you need for use at home or gifts)
3 vanilla beans per jar
Vodka (buy a good variety to use with this, no cheap ones)

Directions:

Slice the beans down the center, but not in two. You just want them slit down the middle to release their flavor to the vodka. Place the beans in your jar and then fill with Vodka. Do not fill to the top, leave plenty of room in the mouth of the jar (typical canning style). Seal with lid and store in a dark, cool place. Once a week give the jars a turn to mix thoroughly again. Extract will be ready to use in approximately 8 weeks.

Note: If you plan to do any of these for Christmas gifts you better get to making it :) 8 weeks will put you into December.

Enjoy!