DrinkWire is Liquor.com's showcase for the best articles, recipe and reviews from the web's top writers and bloggers. In this post, "Thermomix Me a Drink, Darling" shares a way to make your own almond liqueur.

Editor's Note: If you're not lucky enough to own a Thermomix, you can achieve similar results by heating the mixture over low heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.

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Homemade liqueurs are one of the easiest and most cost effective ways of extending your cocktail supplies. Most liqueurs are built from a base of vodka or whiskey and all they require is flavouring and patience.

Amaretto is an Italian almond flavoured liqueur. It is delicious over ice and makes a versatile cocktail base. Over winter, I like to add it to hot chocolate.

The secret to a good liqueur is in using a quality base. You want a strong vodka preferably around 30% alcohol for this version. You will be cutting the alcohol content in the finished product, so the higher the better.

Homemade Amaretto

2 cups Vodka

1 cup Water

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Vanilla Beans, split in half lengthwise

2 tbsp Almond Extract

Add white and brown sugar to the Thermomix bowl with 1 cup Water.

Heat for 8 minutes, speed 3, 98 degrees.

Allow to cool and pour into a sealable glass bottle.

Add 2 cups vodka, split vanilla beans and almond extract.

And now for the hard part!

Allow to sit for at least 1 week in a dark cupboard. It will help set the flavours. In fact leave it longer if you have good self control, it’s worth the wait.

A note about extracts:

You can pick up a variety of natural extracts and essences from the supermarket.

One of these days I might look at creating my own extracts but for now, these store bought substitutes do a great job.