The holiday season will be here before we can blink an eye. I have wanted to make a Citrus Extract since seeing a woman online making a variety of different kinds. You can find her video here:
I bought lemons, limes, and oranges for the extract.
You have to skim the peel slightly, trying not to get too much pith.
Layer the peels into a half-pint jar, and top with 80% proof Vodka. Seal and store in a cool place for 6 weeks. Shake the jar a few times while the extract is doing its magic. Remove the peels after the 6-8-week period and use your extract in your baking recipes.
Of course, you can't let the fruit go to waste, so I sliced the oranges thinly after cutting away most of the pith. I placed some honey in the bottom of a half-pint jar and layered the slices and honey until the jar was full. The orange gives the honey a very nice flavor for spreading on toast or even basting chicken.
I had plenty of fruit left over, so I zested each one before juicing them. I put all the lemon, lime, and orange juice into a cube tray and froze them. When I need any freshly squeezed juice for a recipe, I now have plenty on hand in the freezer.
Perhaps this will inspire you to make some extracts for your holiday baking or even gifting.
