4 oranges
1 vanilla bean
2 ½ cups vodka or neutral spirit
1 cup cognac or good straight brandy
1 cup white, granulated sugar
½ cup water
Glass container with air tight sealing lid
Instructions
Wash and peel the oranges, making sure to take off all of the white rind; otherwise, the liquor will come out bitter. Slice the oranges cross-ways into rounds about a ¼ inch thick.
Put the orange slices, cognac/brandy, vodka/neutral spirit and the vanilla bean in a glass container. Seal and steep (soak) for about four weeks in a dark cabinet or pantry. Do not shake or swirl.
After four weeks, strain and filter the mixture. A coffee filter works well for filtering. You only want liquid, so you can get rid of all the other pieces.
Heat water and sugar in a pot on the stove until it boils. Stir with a wooden spoon to make sure the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from the heat and allow liquid to cool completely.
Add the cooled water and sugar to the orange mixture in a sterilized glass container. Seal & age the liquor in your refrigerator for four weeks. The Grand Marnier is now ready to go in the liquor cabinet.
Grand Marnier
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Grand Marnier
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