Homemade coffee liqueur

"A delicious and inexpensive substitute for commercially prepared liqueurs."

3 cups sugar
1-1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons instant coffee
1 fifth (26 ounces) inexpensive vodka

1. Put first 4 ingredients in a large pan. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Be very careful because this mixture will boil very quickly.
2. Cool. Add vodka and mix thoroughly.
3. Use as you would any coffee liqueur.

(Yield: 2 25-ounce bottles)

Hint: It may be stored in bottles in a cool place indefinitely.

Source: Junior League of Rochester, "Applehood & Motherpie: Handpicked Recipes from Upstate New York" (4th printing, 1982); recipe by Paula S. Hawk.