Cran Limoncello Recipes

LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Zest the lemons, and place zest into a large glass bottle or jar. Pour in vodka. Cover loosely and let infuse for one week at room temperature.
• After one week, combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Do not stir. Boil for 15 minutes. Allow syrup to cool to room temperature.
• Stir vodka mixture into syrup. Strain into glass bottles, and seal each bottle with a cork. Let mixture age for 2 weeks at room temperature.
• Place bottled liqueur into the freezer. When icy cold, serve in chilled vodka glasses or shot glasses.

ITALIAN LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Combine alcohol and lemon zest in a 1-gallon jug with a tight-fitting lid. Place in a cool, dark place to rest for 1 month. Swirl contents of the jug every few days.
• Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat; stir until sugar is fully dissolved. Set simple syrup aside to cool completely, 15 to 30 minutes.
• While simple syrup is cooling, place a sieve over a large bowl and line with coffee filters. Strain alcohol mixture through coffee filters to remove all sediment. Replace the filters as needed until all the mixture has been filtered. Filter one more time to ensure all sediment has been removed. Discard coffee filters and zest.
• Add enough simple syrup to the alcohol mixture to reach the desired alcohol-by-volume percentage; refer to an alcohol content calculator.
• Divide limoncello among 6 wine bottles. Seal with corks. Allow to rest in a cool, dark place for 1 month, swirling every few days. Strain one more time to remove any leftover sediment if desired.
• Place 1 bottle of limoncello in the freezer and serve icy-cold. Store remaining bottles at room temperature.

LIMONCELLO CARROT SALAD

Steps:

• Gently warm the limoncello in a small saucepan over medium heat until steam begins to come off the top and it is hot to the touch but not simmering. Remove from the heat, then add the dried cranberries and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the cranberries to soak for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
• Grate the carrots into a medium bowl using the large holes on a box grater. Sprinkle the carrots with the salt and toss well. Add the soaked cranberries, parsley leaves, lemon juice and olive oil and toss again to combine. Crumble the goat cheese over the top and serve.

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Zest lemons, making sure to get the outermost part of the skin and avoid the white pith.
• Place lemon zest in a glass bowl and cover with alcohol. Cover and let infuse at room temperature until yellowish in color, about 7 days.
• Bring water and sugar to the boil in a saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove syrup from heat and let cool, about 10 minutes.
• Pour alcohol into the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer; discard lemon zest. Stir well.
• Pour limoncello into thick, freezer-safe glass bottles. Store in the freezer for at least 2 weeks before serving.

CRAN LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Stir together the seltzer, limoncello and cranberry juice.
• Pour into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with the lemon peel.

CRANBERRY-LIMONCELLO MARTINI

Steps:

• Cranberry Syrup Base.
• Combine the cranberries, sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool.
• When cool, place mixture in a blender and blend for 2 minutes.
• Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove all of the seeds and skin pieces.
• Add the remaining ingredients: lemon juice, lime juice, 2 dashes bitters, Limoncello liquor and the cranberry base is complete. Makes approximately 5 cups.
• Chill completely until ready to use.
• For each Cranberry-Limoncello Martini.
• In a shaker filled half way with ice cubes:.
• Add 2 - 2 1/2 ounces cranberry syrup base. NOTE: may use less per glass as it is a bit thick w/ this amount. I have been experimenting and think 2 oz may be best for starters. Start w/ less and add more if desired or add some pomegranate juice to each cocktail.
• Next, add 1 1/2 ounces citrus flavored vodka.
• Shake 50-100 times and pour into martini glass. If you shake 100x, you will get little crystals of ice in your pour.
• Pour into martini glass. Garnish with a lime slice. YUM!
• PITCHER: Measure 2 cups vodka, entire recipe of base> approx 5 cups of base. To thin add 1 cup pomegranate juice. Stir. Add to shaker full of ice and pour into individual martini glasses.