Summer is just around the corner, and in my head, I’m in Tuscany every time I eat outside on my deck.
Stage One:
10 organic lemons
1 bottle of good quality vodka or if you’d like to freeze your limoncello, grain alcohol
large, clean glass jar with good fitting lid
Lemon zester or vegetable peelerSoak lemons in warm soapy water to clean and remove any wax residue. Scrub them, rinse and dry.
Peel or zest being extremely careful to not get any white pith include. This will make your final result bitter.
Pour vodka over lemon peels, cap with tight fitting lid and shake.
The yellow color is intoxicating! I had to take the lid off twice to just take a sniff dreaming that it was ready for stage 2.
**Hardest part? Let sit for 4 months in a cool dark place. Shake when you think of it.
Have patience. The longer it sits, the better it gets!
Stage Two:
3 1/2 c water
2 1/2 c sugar
Heat sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved and boil at high heat about 5 minutes. Then set aside while you strain the limoncello.
If you want traditional cloudy limoncello, add the syrup to the jar while it’s still warm.
If you want clear/yellow limoncello, let the syrup cool.
To strain:
You will need many size 4 paper coffee filters. Wet the coffee filters first so they don’t absorb your alcohol. First, pour liquid thru normal kitchen mesh strainer. Then repeat thru coffee filters multiple times. I did this 3 times and went through a LOT of filters.
Pour back into the jar and add syrup, either warm or cool depending on your color preference.
**I let it cool as the vodka was a beautiful lemon yellow color.
Pour into clean bottles and cap tightly. If you are using corks, remember they breathe so dip the top in wax several times to seal. Store in refrigerator.
Enjoy! Drink in moderation, share with friends and let me know how it turns out!
xo
gosh o gee o willy! this sounds like a scrumptious treat! gratitude for sharing such delights! <3
thank you zuko! we just enjoyed it this afternoon and it was like sunshine in a glass! xo