Honeysuckle Vodka: A Flower Liqueur

Infusing Honeysuckle Vodka:

1. Clean honeysuckle by dipping flowers in cool water and then laying out on a towel to dry.
2. Once flowers have dried, place them in a glass jar, and gently push them down until their aren't large air bubbles-- DO NOT squash the flowers. Some extra space is fine.
3. Wash orange in warm water, using a vegetable scrub brush if the orange is waxed.  Remove the peel with a vegetable peeler, taking care to only get the orange zest and not the white pith.  Add the peel to the top of the jar, above the honeysuckle.  Make sure to add the orange peel last-- it will serve as a weight and keep the honeysuckle submerged.  (You can eat the orange-- you're not adding it to the jar.)
4. Slowly pour the vodka into the jar, using a chopstick to gently push down the flowers and orange peel.  Seal the jar with a lid, and set jar aside for 2-3 weeks. The jar doesn't have to be in the dark, but make sure it's out of direct sunlight.
5. Once the vodka has finished infusing, pour it through a mesh sieve to remove the flowers and orange peel.  

Sweetening Vodka:

1. Add sugar and water to a small pot and bring to a boil.  Stir to ensure all the sugar has been dissolved.  Set aside to cool.
2. Once the syrup has cooled, add half of the sugar simple syrup to the vodka.  Taste, and see if you want it to be sweeter.  Sweeten more if desired.
3. Store the vodka out of direct sunlight in an airtight container, and drink it straight or in mixed drinks. Use within one year.