Limoncello

By shauna

Our favourite after-dinner drink, or digestivo, is easily the Italian Limoncello. What most people don't know is that it is relatively simple to make, but requires a little patience...

Ingredients

• Simple Syrup:
• 2 -750ml Bottles Everclear
• 2 -750ml Bottles Smirnoff Vodka
• 40 Organic Lemons
• 8 C. Sugar
• 8 C. Water

Details

Servings 9

Preparation

Step 1

Wash the lemons in hot water & clean with a vegetable wash to remove the wax coating; rinse. Peel lemons, making sure not to remove any of the pith( the white part under the peel .) The pith creates a bitter finish to the limoncello that you want to avoid. Use a super sharp, lg. size vegetable peeler to get the peels off & try to keep the peel in long strips to make it easier to strain later. Place peels in a lg. container with the Vodka & the Everclear. Swirl the lemon peel & alcohol mixture together daily in the jar. This step can last for as little as 2 weeks or up to 4 months. The longer you leave the peels in contact with the alcohol, the more yellow & lemony your limoncello will be. When you get to the point where you're ready to finish the limoncello, remove the bigger peels with a slotted spoon & then strain the remainder through cheesecloth into another lg. container. Mix together the sugar & water, bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then boil for at least 7 min. Let syrup cool to room temp, then combine with lemon-alcohol mixture. At this point, you can bottle the limoncello. Ideally the finished product should sit for at least a week before consuming.