Plum Pudding Vodka

Plum pudding vodka:

1 bottle (about 700ml) vodka

9 oz dark brown sugar

3.5 oz mixed peel

9 oz sultanas

5 oz raisins

Grated rind and juice of 1 orange

1 tsp almond essence

6 cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

2 vanilla beans, split, seeds scraped

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp mixed spice

Direction:

To prepare the vodka, place all ingredients in a large bowl and cover well with plastic wrap (reserve the vodka bottle and cap). Set aside in a cool place for 1 week, stirring once a day. Strain the contents through a very fine sieve, pressing down well to extract all the liquid. Pour liquid back into the vodka bottle and screw the cap on tightly. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.*