Christmas pudding vodka

Method

• step 1

  Sterilise a 1.5-litre preserving jar. Tip the dried fruit, citrus zests, sugar, spices and vanilla pod into the jar.

• step 2

  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.

• step 3

  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.

• step 4

  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.