Did you know that you can make most liqueurs at home? It’s true! They are all pretty easy except for one thing: they take time! Yes, the dreaded patience…..or the need to plan ahead! I must admit that I am not patient and planning ahead can be difficult at times. Are you this way too?
Well, this holiday season I have decided that some of my “gifts from the kitchen” will be some homemade liqueurs. Some of what I will be creating and sharing with you include: kahlua, irish cream, salted caramel liqueur, toffee liqueur, amaretto, and limoncello. I am super excited and I hope my friends and family enjoy these goodies!
Today, I’m starting to make some Limoncello: an Italian lemon liqueur. It’s a two step process:
- Infuse vodka with lemon zest for 2 weeks
- Make a simple syrup to sweeten your infused vodka and allow it all to meld for 2-4 weeks.
Make Your Own Limoncello Part 1
Ingredients:
- Zest from 7 lemons (be sure NOT to get any of the white membrane….just the yellow zest. I use a zester so that I have small pieces for quicker extraction)
- 2 cups 80 proof (40%) Vodka
In a clean jar, place the zest from your 7 lemons. Pour in the vodka, screw on your lid and place the jar in a cool, dark place. I have mine in the basement. Now wait! If you’d like to give your jar a shake every few days, that is fine….just be sure to leave the jar in a cool, dark place.
Here’s my jar!
Okay, while we’re waiting for our lemon/vodka magic to occur, we’ll be getting things started for kahlua!
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