Christmas Pudding Vodka Food

CHRISTMAS PUDDING VODKA

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.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING GIN

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.