Almond Flavored Tequila Liqueur

Title: Almond Flavored Tequila Liqueur
Yield: 3 1/2 cups
Categories: Alcohol, Beverages 

Ingredients: 

      8 oz Unpeeled almonds; dark
           .  roasted  (see note)
    1/2    Vanilla bean; split
      1    Stick cinnamon; 3 inch
      1    Bottle gold tequila
      2 tb Spicy piloncillo syrup; see
           .  other recipe
    1/4 ts Pure almond extract


  ? 'h teaspoon pure almond extract Note: Place nuts on baking sheet in
  325-degree preheated oven and toast until dark brown, turning occasionally.
  When done, remove from pan to prevent overcooking.
  
  Coarsely chop nuts. Place in jar along with the vanilla bean and cinnamon
  stick. Coverwith tequila and steep for 2 weeks in cool, dark place, shaking
  gently occasionally (a murky sediment is natural). Strain several times
  through paper coffee filters.
  
  Add syrup and almond extract in small increments, tasting after each
  addition, until satisfied with flavor. Pour into sterilized dark-colored
  jar: allow to set for 2 weeks, adding more syrup if needed.
  
  Pour into pretty decorative jars for gifts. Serve either poured into hot
  coffee or served over ice in brandy snifters with a twist of lemon .
  
  Nutritlional analsis per ounce: 106 calories, 4 grams fat, 3 grams
  carbohydrates, 0 cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium, 35 percent of calories
  from fat .
  
  Source:  Tequila: Cooking with the Spirit of Mexico
  
  ** Fort Worth Star Telegram -- Food section -- 29 November 1995 **
  
  From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini