Happy Hour Drink Recipe: Applelicous Liqueur

Apples are everywhere right now, and while a hot apple cider drink is always lovely, I'm feeling a bit more motivated than usual so I'm making apple liqueur. This recipe comes from A.J. Rathbun's new book Luscious Liqueurs: 50 Recipes for Sublime and Spirited Infusions to Sip and Savor. And yeah, I know the payoff here isn't immediate, but it'll be worth the wait.

Ingredients
5 apples
1 lemon
2 cups vodka
1 1/2 cups simple syrup

Directions
1. Core and coarsely chop the apples. Wash, dry, and peel the lemon, trimming away any white pith. Put the apples and lemon peel in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. (Juice the leftover lemon to use in cooking).
2. Add the vodka, stir and seal. Place in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight. Let sit for 2 weeks, swirling once or twice a week.
3. Add the simple syrup, stir, and reseal. Return to its spot. Let sit for 2 more weeks, swirling occasionally.
4. Filter the liqueur through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. Strain again through a double layer of cheesecloth into a pitcher or other easy-pouring vessel. Finally, strain through 2 new layers of cheesecloth into another pitcher or bottle. Check that the liqueur is free of debris. If it isn't, repeat this step until the desired clarity is reached. Pour the liqueur into 1 large bottle or a number of small bottles or jars.

--AndreaLeigh