Cherry Liqueur Recipe with Vodka | For 34 Servings

Instructions:

1. Wash 2 lbs fresh sour cherries thoroughly and remove stems.
2. Pit about half of the cherries, leaving the other half whole.
3. Place all cherries into your large glass jar and pour in 3 cups vodka and 1 cup cognac. Ensure the fruit is fully submerged.
4. Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days until the liquid turns deep ruby.
5. After 4 weeks, combine 1.5 cups sugar and 0.5 cup water in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, then let it cool.
6. Pour the cooled syrup and 1 cinnamon stick into the jar with the cherries and alcohol.
7. Reseal and let it sit for another 2 weeks. This allows the sugar to pull the alcohol soaked juices out of the fruit.
8. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Do not squeeze the fruit if you want a clear liqueur.
9. Use a funnel to transfer the liquid into clean glass bottles.
10. Let the bottled liqueur sit for one more week before serving to allow the flavors to fully settle.