Orange Liqueur
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8 oranges, carefully washed
4 cups sugar
4 cups vodka (any kind, unflavored)
1 cup water
Optional:  dash of ground clove, cinnamon, or nutmeg
2 (24-oz) canning jars with screw tops
  1. Sterilize the canning jars in the dishwasher .  Or, you can go old-school and put the jars and screw rings in a very large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes.  Don't put the jar lids in the water until you have turned off the heat and it is no longer boiling; leave the jar lids in only for a minute or so.  If you use the pot method, make sure that you have a metal rack on the bottom of the pot.  Do NOT let the glass jars touch the bottom of your pot.  Carefully lift them in and out of the water with tongs and protect your hands with oven mitts.  
  2. Juice the oranges, making sure to toss the seeds and pulp.  Set aside juice.
  3. Dissolve 4 cups sugar into 1 cup water in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously.  When the sugar has dissolved, the mixture will be clear.
  4. Add 1 cup of the orange juice and drink the extra!  Bring the orange syrupy mixture to a boil, then remove from heat.  I let it cool for a few minutes, because it is so dangerously sticky and hot!  
  5. Divide the orange syrup between the two jars, covering the orange peels.
  6. Let the mixture cool completely, then pour 2 cups of vodka into each jar.  Cover with lids and shake.
  7. Keep in a dark, cool place for one month.  Then strain the liquid into a bowl and throw away the orange peel.  Pour the liquid into sterilized bottles or jars and cover with lids.  Again, keep in a dark, cool place for one more month.
  8. It's ready!!
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