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Select full colored and plumb berries, avoiding stained baskets (sign of overripe or softened and decayed berries).
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DO NOT wash until ready to use as water causes mold to form.
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Rinse berries and place in a mixing bowl, lightly crushing to release flavor.
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Add vodka and vanilla bean.
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Stir and store in bottle in cool dark place for 3 weeks.
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Strain mixture through dampened cheesecloth squeezing as much juice as possible.
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Pour back into bottle adding sugar syrup to taste (1/3 to 1/2 cup per pint) and age another 3-5 weeks.
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Dissolve sugar in water and bring to a boil.
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Cool before using.