Lorraines Luscious And Lovely Limoncello Recipes

LORRAINE'S LUSCIOUS AND LOVELY LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Wash the lemons, using soap, rinse well.
• Peel the lemons. I used my Microplane Zester and got lovely lemon zest, but you can also use a potato peeler. Make sure not to get any of the bitter white pith.
• Place the peel into a bowl and cover with the vodka. I used a large Tupperware bowl with a cover.
• Let the lemons infuse in the vodka for one week.
• Line a strainer with paper towels and strain the lemony vodka into a bowl that will hold more than twice its volume.
• Mix the sugar with the water in a pot and let it come to a boil.
• Boil for 2 minutes, giving it an occasional stir.
• Let cool.
• Add the sugar syrup to the lemon vodka and mix.
• Place in your favorite bottle.
• Keep the Limoncello in the freezer (it won't freeze).

HOMEMADE LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Zest just the yellow portion of the lemon peels with a rasp grater, avoiding any of the bitter white pith. You should have about 1/4 cup zest. Transfer the zest to a jar or other airtight container. Add the vodka, seal and shake to combine. Set aside in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks.
• Strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. You may need to line the sieve with a coffee filter to catch all of the zest. Discard the zest (or dehydrate it and add to the salt for rimming my Spicy Italian Margarita).
• If making your own simple syrup, combine the sugar with 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
• Combine 3/4 cup of the simple syrup (or more, if desired) with the infused vodka. Store in an airtight bottle in the freezer for up to 6 months.

LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.
• Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Put the lemon peels, lavender, if using, and rum or vodka in a container and let stand for 4 weeks.
• Strain the mixture into a decanter.
• Mix the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool before adding to the rum mixture.
• Serve in small aperitif glasses.
• Store in the freezer for up to 1 year.