Recipe: 44 orange liqueur

This is an old French recipe, I have yet to find a reference to the originator - if you come across it, let me know and I'd like to give credit where it's due.

You will need:

4 C       grain alcohol (vodka will do, but you may want to adjust the sugar)
  1         thick skinned orange (4 mandarins are nice, and keeps with the "4" theme)
 44        sugarcubes (1tsp per cube) - a lot, but it tames the high proof alcohol - use less with vodka
 44        good quality coffee beans
1-2       mason jars


Method:

 - Wash the orange (or oranges)
 - Use a sharp utility knife to poke holes in the orange(s), then press the coffee beans into the holes
 - Place orange(s) in mason jars with alcohol and sugar, seal and shake vigorously
 - Label the jars or mark the calendar, and store in a cool, dark place
 - Shake the jars daily for 44 days
 - After 44 days, filter through a coffee strainer into a bottle of your choice