Homemade Apple Liqueur (Meilach) Recipe

From Classic Liqueurs, by Cheryl Long and Heather Kibbey:

• 2 1/2 pounds apples
• 2 cups vodka
• 2 cups brandy
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup water

Cut apples into wedges, put in jar. Pour vodka and brandy over apples. Cap and age in a cool place for one month. Strain and filter. Combine sugar and water, boil, cool. Combine liqueur and syrup into aging container, age for a month. Strain as needed.

Variation: Spiced apple. Add two 3" cinnamon sticks, 10 whole cloves, remove spices when filtering/squeezing apples.

I've never used this one either (I got hung up on the Meilach recipe, and then got distracted to other fruits), but it's certainly simpler than the Meilach recipes.