Make your own Limoncello

[LynneSin]

http://blogs.delawareonline.com/secondhelpings/2011/12/05/make-your-own-limoncello/

LIMONCELLO

Recipe from Candace and Nunzio Roseo, owners of BellaVista Trattoria & Pizzeria in Pike Creek.

1 750 milliliter bottle grain alcohol (Everclear or Graves brands)

15 to 20 large lemons

4 cups water

2 1/2 cups sugar

Very carefully peel the rind from the lemon into strips. (You can use a paring knife or potato peeler.) Don’t use the white pith or it will make the drink bitter. Place the rinds into an airtight container. Pour in the alcohol so it completely covers the lemon rinds. Let it sit for 10 to 14 days, checking and stirring every few days.

When the rinds have finished macerating, put the water and sugar into a 5-quart pot on the stove and bring to boil, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Place a colander lined with about two layers of cheesecloth over the pot. Strain the alcohol into the pot, leaving behind the rinds. Press on the rinds and squeeze the cheesecloth to remove all the liquid. Throw away the lemon rinds. Stir the liquid in the pot. Using a funnel, pour into decorative bottles and store in the freezer or in a cool, dark place. Serve icy cold

I absolutely love limoncello!

I think if I do a DU party this year I'm going to make my own!

[hobbit709]

1. My brother made a bunch a couple of years ago.

His lemon tree in the back yard exploded with lemons. The branches were so heavy, they were touching the ground. A 7 foot tree and he got about 600 lemons off that sucker.

[MountainLaurel]

2. Still have lemons on my tree

This may be next on the list (already made lemon marmalade and lemon curd) and several bags of juice and zest.

[LNM]

3. I made that a few years ago.

I think I used vodka instead of grain alcohol. I used a zester on the lemons and my hand cramped up from zesting all the lemons. It tasted great! Much more fresh tasting than the store-bought stuff.