Homemade Amaro - Appetito

Ingredients

• 1 bottle high-proof or overproof vodka (about 3 cups)
• 1 bottle brandy (neutral, not too sweet; about 3 cups)
• 1 teaspoon gentian root
• ½ teaspoon orris root
• 1 teaspoon roasted dandelion root
• 1 teaspoon rhubarb root
• 1 teaspoon wormwood
• 1 teaspoon angelica root
• 1 teaspoon burdock root
• 3 tablespoons aniseed
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 11/2 teaspoon whole cloves
• 3 tablespoons whole black or green cardamom pods
• 1 tablespoon mace blades
• 1 tablespoon coriander seed
• 1 tablespoon caraway seed
• 1 tablespoon juniper berries
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon dried rose petals
• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
• 3 tablespoons dried orange blossoms
• 3 sage leaves
• 4 fresh or dried bay leaves
• 1 sprig marjoram or oregano
• 1/4 cup / 6 g tightly packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 ¼ cups / 300 ml dry white vermouth
• ¾ cup / 180 ml distilled water or boiled and cooled water
• 1 ½ to 2 cups / 145 to 195 g dark muscovado sugar (depending on desired sweetness)
• ½ cup / 52 g dried sour cherries
• ½ cup / 67 g dried Angelino plums or dried apricots (about 6)
• ¼ cup / 37 g golden raisins
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 orange, thinly sliced