Wash and stem cherries and place them on a towel to dry. Gently put cherries into a 1-quart jar. Pour sugar over cherries. Do not stir or shake. Pour vodka or brandy over sugar and cherries. Do not stir. Cover tightly with a lid and put the jar on a high shelf in a dark cabinet. Let it stand for 3 months without stirring or shaking. Strain into a 1-quart bottle; the cherry meat will have dissolved. Yield 2-1/2 to 3 cups.

less expensive than commercial varieties. Make them for yourself and for gifts. The deep cherry color of this liqueur is perfect for pretty bottles.