This is a two-step process. The cranberry liqueur ingredients will be used at the beginning of the process and the simple syrup will be made at the end of the process. The entire process takes 30 days. You will need a large, airtight glass jar to rest the cranberry mix in, see equipment list above.
Prepping the Cranberry Mix
Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until they have broken down into small pieces. Transfer to glass jar.
Add the vodka to the jar and then add the orange zest, cloves, allspice berries and cinnamon sticks. Mix to combine.
Add the lid to the jar and store in a cool, dark area for at least 30 days and up to 3 months. You will want to check on and "shake" the jar periodically through the resting time.
Strain the Cranberry Mixture
After 30 days you can finish the liqueur. Start by straining the the solids from the liquid using a mesh strainer.
The next step is to strain again, this time using cheesecloth and a mesh strainer. Spread a sheet of cheesecloth over the strainer and pour the once-strained liquid through.
Make the Simple Syrup
Add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of granulated sugar to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat, just until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Make the Liqueur
Once the simple syrup is cool, you can finalize the liqueur. You will be adding the simple syrup to the cranberry liquid. Start with a cup of cranberry liquid and add 1/4 cup simple syrup and taste. If not sweet enough, try with 1/3 cup simple syrup to to one cup cranberry. Or, for max sweetness, 1/2 cup simple syrup to 1 cup cranberry. Once you have determined the ratio (either 1/3, 1/4, or 1/2) you will mix that ratio of simple syrup into the cranberry liquid.For example, if you have 9 cups of cranberry liquid and you chose the 1/3 cup ratio, you will add 3 cups of simple syrup to the 9 cups of cranberry liquid.
After you mix the simple syrup and cranberry together, stir well to combine.
Bottle in air-tight glass containers and store for up to one year.