“When life gives you lemons, make Limoncello” As I am trying to get rid of our lemons, I decided I need to make my usual winter batch of Limoncello. I know you should make it with Everclear but it is too difficult to find so I use Absolute Vodka.

By the way, I make a vinaigrette with the lemons after I have used the peels for the Limoncello.  The juice of a few lemons, olive oil, mustard, honey and soy sauce.  I make it in an olive oil bottle and add a sprig of rosemary, a few sprigs of thyme and a couple of cloves of garlic.

Ingredients for the Limoncello:

The peel of 10 lemons
1 (750ml) bottle of Absolute Vodka
3.5 cups water
2.5 cups sugar

Directions:

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips. Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a glass jug. Pour the Absolute Vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let it stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

Salute!