Aquavit Recipe

Directions

1. 1
   Toast the caraway, fennel, cardamom, and cloves in a small frying pan over medium heat, shaking occasionally until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
2. 2
   Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. 3
   Using a vegetable peeler, remove a quarter of the peel from both the lemon and orange.
4. 4
   Avoid removing the white pith; set the peels aside.
5. 5
   Remove about 2 tablespoons of the vodka from the bottle.
6. 6
   Either drink it or discard it.
7. 7
   Place the toasted spices, lemon and orange peels, and sugar into the bottle.
8. 8
   Cover tightly.
9. 9
   Let the vodka infuse at room temperature (choose a spot that is neither too warm nor too cold) for 2 weeks, turning and gently shaking the bottle once a day.
10. 10
    After 2 weeks, taste the aquavit; let it stand longer as needed.
11. 11
    Strain the aquavit through a fine-mesh strainer into a large liquid measuring cup; discard the solids.
12. 12
    Transfer the strained aquavit to a clean bottle with a tightfitting lid and store it in the freezer.