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I needed to make these quickly as we are relying on a neighbour to take our presents back to the UK this year. I needed something a bit special and followed on from a tip I gave earlier. The outcome is so delicious and they were so quick that I thought someone else might like to try.

Firstly I made mandarin liqueur. Take one litre of gin from which two hefty gin and tonics have already been taken (so that you have room to get the ingredients in!). Then take the peel from about 6 mandarin oranges (break the peel down into smallish pieces)and 4 oz sugar. Mix the lot together in the bottle and shake well over a ten day period. Strain into a jug and then back into the gin bottle (or any other fancy bottle you might have).

Then I made coffee liqueur. Exactly the same except use 2oz of uncrushed coffee beans instead of the mandarins.

These are completely ready within 10 days and taste wonderful - they are also crystal clear but a wonderful colour. We are lucky that spirits are a bit cheaper here but you can use the cheapest gins (vodka will work just as well) and if you put a handwritten label on the bottle and a big bow around the neck they look so pretty too.

Thanks Graye - my OH has been after some mandarin vodka ans I didn't even THINK to make it! Duh!

Hi
I did something similar with the tiny oranges and lemons that I get off my tree. I used white rum, just cos I had a bottle that I hadn't drunk. I put the oranges and lemons, whole in a wide necked bottle and poured the rum on top, didn't bother shaking or straining, just left the fruit it. It was lovely and looked really pretty.

An ideal present if you can find a suitable bottle.

Zoe