How to make limoncella

While traveling in Italy, we came across a very interesting drink called Limoncella (lemoncella or Liquore al limone).  It is a bit like a lemon drop, but much better.  For this recipe you need 8 lemons, sugar, water, and a liter of vodka.  In Italy they actually use a very high alcohol brandy (not easily found in the United States), however any high alcohol neutral spirit should work.

Here is the recipe:

• Peel 8 (or more) lemons using a vegetable peeler.  Try to remove as much of the rind (white part) of the lemon skin as possible.  Put the peels in 32 ounces (1 liter) of neutral alcohol (vodka) and wait at least 4 days.
• Next prepare a syrup made of 32 ounces (1 liter) of lukewarm water and 2 1/4 lbs (1 kilogram) of sugar.
• Combine the syrup and the lemon infusion and mix well.  Store for another 3 days.
• Filter the solution through a coffee filter (or paper towel if you don’t drink coffee).  This will remove the peels and any other impurities.

Serve the Limoncella very cold.  The limoncella is usually served after dinner in a small port-like glass.

Enjoy!