Put the sugar into a small pot and melt it over a small flame
It'll begin to bubble . . .
and bubble until it becomes liquid (caramelized, I guess)
add 0.5 liters of the water and let it boil for a while.
Put the whole mixture into a cold water bath to cool
Add the spirit.
Pour the vodka into bottles, cap them, then let it sit for a while for the flavors to settle.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 liters of distilled spirit (180 proof or higher)
• 5 tablespoons of sugar
• 4.5 liters of water

Testing of course is recommended throughout the process, but not too much, for obvious reasons.

The nice thing about this particular kind of vodka is that, if it's well made, you don't really taste the alcohol in the final product. Surprising considering how it'll be around 40% alcohol when it's all said and done.

In fact, it can be tasty enough to drink without a chaser. It's like a strong brandy.

In total, we made about sixty 0.5 liter bottles of the stuff for the wedding.