Limoncello is a wonderful liqueur from Italy, Delight a loved one by learning how to make it from scratch then give as a gift.
Ingredients
- 6 large lemons (unwaxed if possible)
- 750ml bottle 100% proof vodka
- 200g granulated sugar
Method
- 1. Wash the lemons well. Peel the zest from the lemons with a potato peeler, taking care not to remove any of the white pith underneath. Place the zest in a large sterilised screw-top or clip-top jar and cover with half the vodka. Seal and set aside for 2 weeks.
- 2. Two weeks later, put 225ml water and the sugar together in a saucepan over a low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Leave the sugar syrup to cool completely. (This is very important because if the sugar syrup is warm it will produce a cloudy limoncello.)
- 3. Pass the lemon-infused vodka through a very fine or muslin-lined sieve into a jug and mix with the remaining vodka and the sugar syrup. Pour the mixture into a sterilised bottle and seal tightly with a cork or airtight lid. Set aside in a dark cool place for 10 days, for the flavours to develop.
- 4. To serve as a liqueur, chill in the freezer for several hours before drinking.