Belle’s Homemade Apple Brandy

A homemade gift with holiday spirit! Homemade gifts are unique and special, and one of my favorites to give at Christmas is my apple brandy. It’s a delicious liqueur made from my homegrown apples. This tasty drink is good for sipping as well as baking. The brandy has an apple pie flavor that is both sweet and tangy. I put the apple brandy into decorative bottles for gifts or mason jars for my own use. It’s a delicious treat and a great way to use a large amount of apples. Family and friends will enjoy this homemade gift with a special holiday spirit.
Belle’s Homemade Apple Brandy
4 cups sugar
2 cups water
4 pounds apples, cut into chunks
1 liter brandy
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
Additional whole cloves and cinnamon sticks
Combine sugar and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved
(about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat. Place apples in a large glass or plastic container; add the
sugar mixture, brandy, cloves, and the cinnamon stick. Cover and let stand at room temperature for at
least two weeks, stirring once a week. Strain the brandy mixture, and discard the apples and spices. Pour
into glass bottles or mason jars. Place an additional three cloves and one cinnamon stick in each bottle.
Secure with lids. Store in cool, dry, dark area. Brandy is good for at least 2 years.