Coffee Liqueur Two Ways

Looking for a quick last minute gift idea or just a way to fill up your liquor cabinet in a frugal manner?  Here is two ways to make coffee liqueur depending on the time you have available:

Coffee Liqueur - 1 Month Method

• 1 Vanilla Bean, split and chopped fine
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 2 Cups Water
• 1/2 Cup Instant Coffee
• 1 1/2 Cups Vodka

Combine the chopped vanilla bean and sugar in a saucepan, add 1 and 1/2 cups water and simmer for 10 minutes.  Combine the instant coffee with 1/2 cup water and stir until dissolved.  Add the dissolved coffee to the sugar syrup and allow to cool.  Add the vodka and let steep in a cool dark place for one month.  Strain the vanilla bean and bottle for gift giving or drinking.

Coffee Liqueur - 3 Day Method

• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 2 Cups Water
• 1/2 Cup Instant Coffee
• 1 1/2 Cups Vodka

Combine the sugar and 1 and 1/2 cups water in a saucepan, simmer for 10 minutes.  Combine the instant coffee with 1/2 cup water and stir until dissolved.  Add the dissolved coffee to the sugar syrup and allow to cool.  Add the vodka and vanilla extract.  Let flavors marry for three days in a cool dark place.  Bottle for gift giving or drinking.