homemade coffee vanilla bean liquor...35 days and counting

today was the big day.  the day kahlua lost the race once and for all.  i've never been a huge fan of the stuff but when i found this recipe and I had to give it a whirl.  REAL espresso, REAL vanilla beans and REALLY good vodka makes one hell of a mixer.  tonight i whirled it up with some organic vanilla soy milk and it is near perfection.  meet my new after dinner cocktail of choice.  

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup instant espresso (still dried powder, not made into espresso)

2 vanilla beans

3 cups vodka

Bring sugar and 2 cups water to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. 

Add coffee and reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer. 

Cook, stirring to fully dissolve the espresso, for about 2 minutes. 

Remove from heat and transfer to a large glass jar or seal-able pitcher and let sit until more or less cool. 

Meanwhile, split vanilla beans open and se the back of a knife or a small spoon and scoop out the teeny tiny seeds (it seems more like a paste). 

Add seeds and pods to the coffee syrup. 

Pour in vodka. Seal and put it away for four to six weeks. 

Remove and discard vanilla pods.

Serve chilled on its own, in coffee, or over ice cream as a dessert.