I got a bunch of lemons and so obviously, decided to make limoncello. What is limoncello? Limoncello is a popular Italian lemon liqueur, primarily produced in Southern Italy (Amalfi coast, Sorrento, and Sicily), made by steeping lemon zest in high-proof neutral spirits (like vodka) and sweetening it with sugar syrup. It has a vibrant yellow color, a cloudy appearance, and a sweet, intensely lemon flavor. It is traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestif.
It is disgistingly easy to make.
The picture above shows my peeled lemons, vodka, sugar, and a little lemon concentrate. Oh, and my large Kilner jar.
The lemons are peeled to retain as much of the peel and fruit, but remove as much of the pith as possible. While providing a nice protection for the fruit which prevents it being easily damaged, the pith imparts an unpleasant bitterness and removing as much as possible limits this unpleasant taste.
I've used vodka as the base liquor - it was on offer at £20 for a litre. I know some folks prefer to use a higher percentage alcohol spirit, but there's a balance to be found for ease of availability and price and this works fine for me.
For sugar, I always use caster sugar as the finer grains disolve easier. But ordinary sugar will work too.
The lemons were cut into quarters and then layered with the peel and sugar. When that was complete, the vodka was added. The jar has now been put in the dar recesses of a cupboard and left for 6-8 weeks. When it's had time to steep (that's a good Scots word for leaving something to infuse by immersion - think of leaving a teabag in water) I'll drain of the fluid, put the fruit and peel through the blender, and then put that through a cheesecloth to get out all the fluid and flavour, while getting rid of anything else.
To drink, limoncello should be sweet and sharp so I'll add simple sugar syrup until I find a good balance. From there we'll have a nice digestif to sip after a meal in the warm summer evenings.
I still have many lemons as you see below. Watchout for my attempts to make lemon curd.
