Coffee-Flavored Liqueur

This is the recipe referred to in the Calypso Pie Recipe a.k.a. The Keg's Billy Miner Pie.

Coffee Flavored Liqueur

Hands on time: 10 minutes Total time: 1 hour Serves: Makes 1 gallon

Ingredients:

4 cups granulated sugar
6 1/2 cups water, divided
1 cup instant coffee
1 (375 milliliter) bottle 190-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear (1 1/2 cups vodka)
2 vanilla beans

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine sugar and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil; simmer for 20 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, mix instant coffee with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Cool. Combine both mixtures; add alcohol and remaining 2 cups water. Pour into four 16-ounce bottles and add 1/2 vanilla bean to each.