Make Your Own Limoncello
This liquor is best homemade, and great for cocktail parties.
Limoncello originated in Italy, and is becoming a popular after-dinner or cocktail party drink. The best recipes use real lemons, and are cheap and easy - but take time.
A while back, I was reading that Danny DeVito acted goofy during a visit to ABC's The View. Apparently, he excused his silly behavior by explaining how he'd been up all night drinking limoncellos with George Clooney.
I imagine that at that moment, thousands of women watching The View wondered what a limoncello is. Actually, they were probably wondering (as I am, now) how they could spend a night drinking, well, anything with George Clooney.
It'll probably be a while before any of us get that invite, but in the meantime, we CAN make our own limoncello. Also known as lemoncello, this liquor makes a great after dinner drink or cocktail. It's pretty cheap and easy to make, providing that you plan before your cocktail party or fancy dinner. And homemade limoncello is always better than the overly sweet, sometimes artificial liquor labeled "lemoncello" in stores.
Recipe for homemade limoncello, a popular after-dinner drink from Southern Italy:
- 1 liter of 100 proof vodka (Absolut is the most popular 100 proof brand)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 5 large lemons - NOT lemon juice
- 2 cups sugar
Wash the lemons, quarter them, and squeeze out as much of the juice as you can. Discard the juice.
Pour the vodka into a large mason jar, or other airtight glass jar.
Add the lemons, seal the jar, and put it in a dark cool place for 5 days.
After 5 days, put the water in a pot, add the sugar and bring to a boil.
Keep at low boil for 5 minutes, stirring often.
Cool to room temperature.
Stir in the vodka and lemons, wait an hour.
Remove the lemon pieces (best to strain them out).
Stir.
Pour the mixture into glass bottles and make airtight.
Put the bottles in your freezer overnight.
Store in freezer until your next dinner event or cocktail party. In Italy, limoncello is traditionally served in small ceramic cups. It can be mixed with tonic, if preferred. Your guests may not look like George Clooney, but a good time will be had regardless.
When life gives you lemons, make limoncello!
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