Ingredients
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6 large Lemon
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3 cups Vodka
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2 cups Sugar
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2 cups Water
Directions
Limoncello is a classic Italian after-dinner drink of lemon-infused vodka mixed with sugar syrup. Everyone seems to agree that Meyer lemons make the best limoncello. Larger and sweeter than a typical lemon, Meyer lemons have smooth skin and a delicious, slightly floral fragrance. Anything you can do with a lemon, you can do better with a Meyer lemon: cook with them, bake with them, clean your house with them, or better yet, tipple with them.
During the winter months, you can easily find Meyer lemons in most grocery stores that have a large produce section. And while they are more expensive than ordinary lemons, they are not outrageous. You can, of course, make limoncello with regular lemons. Whatever kind of lemon you use, do try to find organic ones, because you are using the outer rind where any pesticides or waxes would be found.
Steps
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1
Done
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Using a vegetable peeler, remove the outer rind from the lemons in long strips. If you peel too deeply and end up with white pith on the underside of the rind, scrape it off with a knife. |
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2
Done
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Place the peels in a quart-size mason jar and cover with the vodka. |
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3
Done
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Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks. The longer the peels steep, the more pronounced the lemon flavor will be. |
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4
Done
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Once you have achieved the desired flavor, strain the vodka and discard the lemon peels. You should have about 2½ cups of liquid. |
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5
Done
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In a small saucepan, make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water and heating over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Continue stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature. |
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6
Done
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Combine 2 cups of the simple syrup with the vodka and stir to combine. Taste and add more simple syrup, or just plain water, as desired. (More simple syrup will make for a sweeter finished product, while adding water will make the limoncello smoother and milder.) |
