Limoncello

[rberg02]

Re: Limoncello

Thanks James. I'd like to try it with grain spirits this time if I can find it. Are grain spirits the same thing as Everclear? When I made it before, I remember using vodka and it worked quite well.
Ron

[james]

Re: Limoncello

Hi Ron,

It's a fun thing to do. You are supposed to use grain spirits, but I think you can also get by with Vodka. Our local market in Florence stocked grain spirits, right there next to the wine -- which makes me think a lot of folks still make their own back there. I'm not sure how difficult it is to find it here. Let us know what you find.

Here is a recipe I got off the Internet, which is very similar to the one we followed. One thing we learned was the more you shake, the better the color. We had lemon trees before, and put them to good use.

James

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17 large lemons, preferably organic

Two 750-milliliter bottles grain alcohol

5 1/2 cups water

6 cups sugar

Wash and dry the lemons. With a paring knife, remove the ends. With a vegetable peeler, remove only the yellow rind, leaving the pith intact. (Squeeze juice from the lemons and reserve for another use.)

Place the lemon peel in a 4-quart Mason jar with a rubber-seal lid. Add the grain alcohol, making sure the lemon peel is completely covered. Store in a cool, dark place, shaking the jar once each day to agitate the lemon peel.

On the 13th day, bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the sugar and remove from the heat, stirring until it is dissolved. Cover and let cool to room temperature.

Place a colander on top of the saucepan and strain in the contents of the Mason jar. Discard the lemon peel. Stir to combine the liquids, about 1 minute. Transfer back to the Mason jar. Store for 3 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking to agitate the liquid twice a day.

After 3 weeks, transfer the limoncello to smaller bottles that can be sealed with rubber stoppers. Store bottles in freezer. Serve directly from the freezer.

[rberg02]

James,
Some time ago you mentioned that you had made some great limoncello and offered to post the recipe here, but no one asked to have it posted. Would you please post the recipe? I made limoncello several years ago, but have misplaced the recipe. Thanks!
Ron