I am making some cherry rum and some cherry Cinnamon vodka out of fresh cherries. The recipe doesn't involve any processing, etc. and I want to be sure it's safe. Here is the recipe: Fill a sterilized mason jar 2/3 full of fresh clean de-stemmed cherries, whole. Add vodka/brandy to cover cherries by at least 1 inch. Add 1 T sugar and cinnamon sticks/vanilla beans if desired. Shake until sugar dissolved. Store in cool dry place for at least a month. Agitate several times. Drink! Is this method safe? I used 4o proof rum and 100 proof vodka. Would it make a difference if I use a higher proof like everclear? Doesn't that kill anything?