Thursday, February 23, 2012

Thirsty Thrursday... Homemade Limoncello

I have been obsessed with Limoncello since the first time I saw the movie Under the Tuscan Sun.
Then Rachael Ray was always talking about how her Mom loves it.
I just had to try it.
I was so excited the first time I found it.
It was rather expensive , but I had to have it.
Disappointment.
It was VERY syrupy and not very lemony, not at all what it looked like in the movie.
Then I stumbled upon this recipe while stalking reading one of my favorite blogs A Beach Cottage.

First you wash 10 lemons.
 I got lucky one day and found a bag of 10 at Walmart for $2.50.
Mine were not organic, so I soaked them for a bit in water, then scrubbed them really well.


Then I peeled them all.
How you do this is up to you.
 You just want to get the peel not the white pith ( that would make it bitter).
I used a ridiculously expensive veggie peeler I bought from my niece when she was trying to make money in college.
(I really do try to be a good aunt...)
I tried a paring knife first , but I felt I was getting to much of the white.
Evidentally , my knives are all dull ....

Put all the lemon peel in a glass jar  that you can seal and cover with 3 cups of vodka.
Again , your choice of brand.
I used cheap stuff.

You will be left with a bunch of naked lemons.
I made lemonade with mine.
My family LOVES fresh squeezed lemonade.
I've also read ( at A Beach Cottage, I think ) that you can slice and freeze them.
I have not tried this, but it sounds like a great idea.

Anywhoo...
Let the lemons and vodka sit for a week or a little longer.
This makes the best lemon vodka EVER !
Anywhoo.... (again)

Once they have steeped long enough and you are ready to make your limoncello,
put 3 cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat down and add 3 cups of sugar.
Stir until the sugar is dissolved and becomes a thin syrup.

Strain the vodka into a bowl.

Add the simple syrup.

I stirred mine gently together with a whisk.
Then I poured it into recycled wine bottles ( I always seem to have plenty , hmm..)
Now I don't have a funnel and I thought it would pour just fine from my bowl.
I was wrong.
And I did not want to waste one drop.
Sooo..
I put the wine bottles in the sauce pan I had used to make the syrup to catch any wayward drops.

Worked like a charm.

I ended up with the 3 full bottles and a small amount in a fourth bottle.
Now, you must let it sit for a few days to age.
I know, I know , this is the most difficult.
But really , you must.

Here is the original recipe from A Beach Cottage.

Beach Cottage Limoncello
10 lemons (unwaxed & organic are best)
3 1/2  cups white sugar ( I'm not sure why, as the instructions call for just 3 cups)
3 cups water
3 cups vodka

You really should check out this blog.
I never miss it.
There is something about looking at her beach when we are in the dead of winter that just sooths me.
Plus she ( Sarah ) is HILARIOUS !

You can drink your limoncello straight , on the rocks, very cold.
OR
I like to mix an once with an ounce of sweet tea vodka and an ounce of sour.
Shake well, and serve in a martini glass.
HEAVEN....
the possibilities are endless!

Warning - it is very sweet, if you don't care for sweet, sugary cocktails, but love lemon like I do,
just do the first step.
It's like lemon vodka sun tea !
I will defiantly have some on hand at the river this summer !

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Linking this post to :
Show and Tell Friday@ My Romantic Home http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Inspiration Friday@ At the Picket Fence http://www.atthepicketfence.com/
Pinning and Singing on the Weekend@ 5 Minutes Just for Me http://5minutesjustforme.blogspot.com
Potpourri Friday @ 2805 http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
Fabulous Friday @ Faith,Trust and Pixie Dust http://michellelunt.blogspot.com/
Weekend Bloggy Reading : Link Up @ Serenity Now http://www.serenitynowblog.com/

8 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to try this. I always see it on the Food Network, especially Giada - whom I adore and would stalk if I could. But I was always afraid to spend the $$ and it not be good. I do not like very sweet things, so I was just unsure, but I love LEMON anything!!

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  2. Looks good! I'm your newest follower on GFC and Linky.
    Mary Alice

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  3. Yes I made the Limoncello. (followed A beach cottage recipe) I haven't tasted it yet. I made it a while ago and it should be well and truly matured. I think that because I used raw sugar (Limoncello is a funny colour) that I can't bring myself to taste it.
    Good luck with yours.

    Kelly

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  4. I love lemon anything and this really sounds good. I am your newest follower. Please drop by sometime for a read. Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  5. Wonderful recipe - but life is too short for the cheap vodka! Get the good stuff. I like Seagram's Extra Smooth - it lives up to the title. (They don't pay me to say that. I'm just Polish on my mom's side, and vodka is an Eastern European point of pride.)

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  6. Popped over from Silo Hill Farm. This looks great. I will definitely have to give it a try.

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