This week we harvested so many plums from our single tree, and needed something to do with them all. Sure, some were canned, others turned into jam, but what I am here to talk about today is infusions, or as I like to call it, homemade flavored booze.

There is really no need for a recipe, when it comes to plum infused alcohol. You dice up some fruit, mix it with sugar and spice to your liking; we added a touch of cardamom, ginger and anise with the sugar. Then you put a bit of that mix in sealable container, add whatever base you have chosen, seal it and wait a couple of months. We went with a mandarin vodka for the base of this plum infusion. I like vodka for this kind of thing, since it’s such a versatile spirit, but you could use rum, aquavit, even gin. Whatever your taste buds prefer, there really aren’t any rules.

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However, we didn’t stop at the plum infusions. There were still empty bottles and the infusion mojo was strong, so Kelly suggested making home made Kahlua. In case you’re not familiar with what that is, it’s a coffee liqueur, and a vital ingredient in (among other things) a White Russian cocktail. Which of course is the preferred beverage of The Dude, whom we hold in high esteem in this household.

Kermit House Kahlua

The coffee used in this recipe was brewed in a French press. They are great for making strong coffee, because you can both add more grounds and let it steep longer, for more oomph. It’s okay, if the coffee you brew for this purpose is much stronger and more bitter, than what you would normally drink – it all evens out when it comes together. I recommend using about double the amount of grounds per pot, compared to what you’d usually use.

The syrup:
8 cups strong brewed Coffee
8 cups of Sugar (I like to use a ratio of 1/3 Piloncillo and 2/3 White Cane Sugar)
1/2 cup Whole Raw Almonds
4 Cinnamon Sticks, broken in half
1 Vanilla Bean Pod, split open

The other stuff:
1.5 liters of Vodka – don’t be cheap here, buy a good vodka that you would like to drink on the rocks. You’ll be happy you invested in it later.
4 – 1 liter sized Glass Bottles – swing top or screw top – washed and sterilized

Instructions

1. Combine all of the syrup ingredients and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
2. Keep cooking it until it reduces to about half its volume.
3. Strain it while still warm to remove the nuts, vanilla pod and cinnamon sticks.
4. Pour 2 cups of syrup into each washed and sterilized 1 liter glass bottle.
5. Add 2 1/2 cups of Vodka.
6. Seal bottle up.
7. SHAKE IT.

Put it in a cool dark place and shake it weekly for 2 months while it ages.

While you can certainly use it right away (we did and it was yummy), if you let it age for 1-2 months, the flavors all meld together and it’s far superior to when it’s freshly made.

Enjoy!