I feel like I’ve suddenly acquired a lemon slice filled aquarium. Should I name the curly pieces of zest that float about in their sea of Absolut all day? Lucy? Lola? Is that you?!
Honestly I had no idea that making lemon flavored booze would illicit such a strong and varied response from the world at large. I suppose I should have guessed as much given the vast array of recipes and tips I found online for making limoncello at home. I essentially closed my eyes and pointed to pick the one I used. C’est la vie!
Last evening I finished step 2 (the addition of a simple syrup concoction) in what I’ve been warned might possibly yield a frozen lemon mess with bitter overtones — to which I can only reply, I assure you, I’ve drank much worse.
Limoncello (Recipe originally published by Giada DeLaurentiis)
10 lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
3 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
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.
