A couple of weeks ago, I started making some gifts from the kitchen (Limoncello, Kahlua, and Vanilla Extract) that have an “aging” time. In other words, these items are great gifts that require some time on the shelf before they are given.
Well, I’m super excited to let you know that one is ready for the final step: Limoncello. You can see step one HERE. Also, I will share the complete recipe at the end of this post.
Make Your Own Limoncello
After 2 weeks of extraction time, look how yellow the vodka has become and how pale and “sickly” the lemon zest has become.
Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the lemon zest from the vodka. Set aside.
Make a simple syrup with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar. If you have never made a simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan (left picture). Then place on the stove over medium high heat. As the water warms, the sugar slowly dissolves. When the water is about to simmer, you will see that the sugar is completely dissolved and your water/sugar solution is completely clear (right picture). That’s it! Remove your sugar from the heat and allow it to cool.
Once your simple syrup has cooled, add the lemon infused vodka and stir. Then place in a bottle, label, and allow this to sit on the shelf an additional 2 weeks.
If you are giving this as a gift and don’t have 2 additional weeks of “aging” time, just write on your label: Limoncello ready on xx/xx/xxxx.
Make Your Own Limoncello – The Recipe
- 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
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups water
- Place the lemon zest and vodka in a jar, with a tight fitting lid, in a cool dark place to age for 2 weeks. Give your jar a good shake every couple of days.
- After two weeks have past, your vodka should be a beautiful yellow color and your zest should be very pale.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, remove the zest from the vodka and set aside.
- In a sauce pan, prepare a simple syrup with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of white sugar. Heat over medium high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved and your simple syrup is completely clear. Set aside to cool.
- Once your simple syrup is cool, combine with your lemon infused vodka and place in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Allow your limoncello to age an additional 2 weeks before enjoying or gifting.
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