Grapefruit and Vanilla Liqueur

1. Cut each vanilla bean in half lengthwise, then while keeping the two halves pressed together, cut each one into 8 segments. So you should have 32 pieces total.
2. Using a small paring knife poke 16 small shallow holes in each grapefruit (just deep enough to be able to poke a piece of vanilla bean into without it falling out). Put 1 vanilla bean piece in each hole in *one* of the grapefruits, leave holes empty in the other. Set aside the grapefruit and the rest of the vanilla bean pieces for a moment.

3. Pour the everclear into a 1-gallon glass container (I use this one https://amzn.to/4jQ9R7F). Place two empty 4 ounce mason jars in the container, they should be taller than the alcohol line, so that no alcohol goes into the jars. Place a grapefruit on top of each of the small mason jars. Scatter the remaining vanilla bean pieces in the high proof alcohol, and put the lid on the large gallon jar. Store in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight for 6 weeks.

4. When you’re ready to finish the liqueur, heat the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring every couple minutes or so. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. **DO NOT** add hot syrup to the grapefruit mixture, as the heat will destroy the delicate flavors you’ve spent weeks extracting and preserving.

5. While the syrup is cooling, you can remove the grapefruits from the big jar. They will be pretty much empty of juice, and you can see the juice and oils that have collected from the fruits in the small jars. You can discard the actual grapefruits since they’re not really edible at this point (and they have a ton of alcohol in them from the vapors). Pour the grapefruit liquid out of the small jars straight into the alcohol. Strain the grapefruit alcohol mixture to remove the vanilla bean bits and keep the liquid (you can add the vanilla bean bits to any homemade vanilla extract you have brewing).

6. Once the syrup is cooled, you can mix it into the grapefruit alcohol mixture. Stir until combined, and then distribute it between several bottles or jars (I was able to distribute it between two 750 ml bottles, but you can use whatever clean glass bottles or jars you have laying around). Seal with a lid or cork and store in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight. Enjoy within 1 year.