Advent: 10th December – Limoncello

How to make LimoncellEvery year at Christmas I always come up with one scheme or another to make something a bit different to eat or drink. Last year it was raspberry gin and pickled pears. This year I stumbled across the recipe for Limoncello via the Domestic Sluttery Blog and though that I would give it a go. The smell of vodka and citrus in the kitchen while I was making it took me back to my misspent youth drinking vodka and lime…..!! The pictures here are for stage one of the process – the lemon peel and vodka are now steeping for a week before a sugar syrup is added. Check back next week for an update.

Recipe for Limoncello

Ingredients: (makes 1.5 litres)

  • 6 unwaxed lemons
  • 75ml bottle of vodka ((48-50% abv))
  • 750g sugar
  • 75ml water

To make:

  1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin of the lemons in strips making sure that you don’t include any of the pith as this will make it bitter.
  2. Put the lemon peel into a a big Kilner jar and pour over the vodka. Put the lid on and give it a good shake. Pop it in a cupboard or pantry and shake daily.
  3. A week later put the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat whilst stirring until all the sugar is dissolved then bring to the boil. Once boiling reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until syrupy.
  4. Strain the lemon infused vodka though some muslin or a sieve into a jug then very slowly and carefully pour it into your hot syrup. Be careful – it will spit.
  5. Let it cool completely then pour it into bottles and leave it in a cupboard for about 10-15 days.
  6. Decant it into smaller bottles to give away as gifts or just put it straight into your freezer.

 

Debbie Harris

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