cozy day
Recipe: homemade limoncello and limon sunrise cocktail
despite the rainy day, the flowers still say it’s summer
As I went around the house flipping all of our calendars (yes, I’m the type who requires calendars and clocks everywhere) my eyes settled on August 1st. It’s my sister’s birthday today (Sunday). How old would she have been? I had to first remember how old I am and add five and… It has been over six years since Kris passed away, but I still think of her every day. People who have lost siblings have told me that you never stop thinking of them. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Jeremy came home Saturday evening after a week in Oxford and it feels like life has returned to normal. Whatever normal is, I like it. Today was overcast, cool, and rainy. A nice respite from the heat.
my chinese chives are starting to flower (these buds are delicious in a stir-fry)
But I’m still prepared for the hot weather because I know it’s coming back soon enough. Oh yes. Back in May (which seems so far away now), I purchased two bags of Meyer lemons from Whole Foods as their season was quickly coming to an end. After depleting our supply of Buddha’s hand citron vodka rather quickly, I figured it was high time I tried my buddy Figs’ recipe for homemade limoncello.
scrubby dubby the lemons
harvest the peel
These are the types of projects that require patience, planning, and the ability to forget. You can’t make it and consume it the same day. While the Buddha’s hand citron vodka took 40 days, this took 80 days. I hid it away in my office closet where it could stay in the cool and dark. There were plenty of things to distract me from the limoncello, but when I remembered it, I’d get excited about the day it would be ready.
all of the peel
into the jar
I scored a couple of gallon-size Ball jars for my boozy infusions. Even though I don’t drink much of this stuff, I love the idea of making your own. Just love it. They make great gifts, it’s fun to serve cocktails at parties with them, AND I love the look that the cashier gives me when I slap several giant bottles of cheap vodka on the counter at the booze barn. They think I’m a lush, but I can barely function after 3 ounces of wine!
fill with vodka
wait 40 days
I made a slight mistake in my enthusiasm and poured both bottles of vodka in with the lemon peels at the start. My buddy, Figs, instructs us to add one bottle because the second bottle goes in at the 40-day mark. I think it’s okay. I do. But you should follow her instructions nonetheless. Did I mention you should use cheap vodka? Yes, save some bucks, use the cheap stuff.
at 40 days, add sugar syrup and 2nd bottle of vodka
at 80 days, it is ready
When I tasted the limoncello two weeks ago, it reminded me of Listerine. I can’t really trust my opinion when it comes to booze though. I prepared a bottle to bring to Manisha as a hostess gift. She told me it was delightfully lemony. I can’t drink it straight because I’m a ninny like that. So I made a total girl-drink with it. It’s lovely.
limoncello and freshly squozen orange juice
top it with a splash of grenadine
A limon sunrise! Girl drinks rock my world because they are colorful and fruity – two of my favorite things. We toasted Kris’ birthday with our glasses of sunshine as the rain soaked the world outside. It’s your outlook from within that matters most, no?
limon sunrise
Limon Sunrise
[print recipe]
from The Nibble
ice
1.5 oz. limoncello
4.5 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice (about 3 juice oranges)
splash of rose grenadine
Fill a high ball with ice. Pour the limoncello and orange juice into the glass. Top with a splash of grenadine, but don’t stir if you want the “sunrise” effect. Let it settle to the bottom. Serves 1.
Homemade Limoncello
from Figs, Lavender, and Cheese
15 thick-skinned lemons (okay, I didn’t have thick-skinned lemons, I used Meyer lemons)
1.5 liters of cheap vodka
3 1/4 cups sugar
5 cups water
Brush and wash the lemons well, pat dry. Remove peel with knife or peeler. Remove any pith from the peels. Place the zest in a 1 gallon jar. Pour 750 ml of the vodka into the jar over the zest and seal. Let sit for 40 days in a cool, dark location. After the 40 days are up, combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. When the contents come to a boil, let continue to boil for about five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Add the sugar syrup and the rest of the vodka to the jar of lemon peels. Seal and let sit for another 40 days in a cool, dark location. Woohoo!!! Makes a gallon.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Sounds yummy! Going to try this soon, so it will be ready for the holidays.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:40 pm
How is limoncello a girl-drink? Interesting. Even though I don’t drink alcohol, this drink does look lovely.
August 1st, 2010 at 11:28 pm
ur pics are gorgeous!!
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:15 am
Wow… Your sunrise looks amazing. The colours are so beautiful!
Wei-Wei
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:20 am
Jen,
I love limoncello! I too made some a few months ago at the beginning of Meyer lemon season, but instead used Everclear. It was too strong for my taste so I’ll have to try it again with vodka. Such a refreshing beverage for warm summer days!
Also, I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and you mention your sister every now and then. I am so sorry for your loss. My brother died two years ago in a car accident and like you, think about him everyday, without fail. My parents are still grieving. I’m not sure if you’ve mentioned it, but do you mind sharing how she passed away? If it’s too personal, I understand.
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:52 am
You and I seem to have quite a bit in common this week. Both of our spouses are astrophysicists (something which has lasted much longer than just a week I’m happy to say). Sadly, both of us lost beloved members of our families at the same time of the year (my mother – 12 years ago at the end of July – the 28th to be exact which I have been thinking of this past week). And, believe it or not I put down the first stage of limoncello this past saturday. It sits on the bar in my basement, macerating away. I have a friend in Fiesole Italy who swears by Everclear grain alcohol. I’ve made it in the past with vodka. I stopped by the liquor store and purchased the Everclear for this batch. We shall see which tastes better – at least the taste test will be fun!
Do you keep yours in the freezer? I love the grenadine idea. Gonna give that one a go and sip it out by the pool.
Love the giant Ball jars! I used an Ikea jar for this batch but yours are much prettier!
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:16 am
Gawd I hear ya; wish I could hold my alcohol better (I’m blaming my bad genes) because I love the stuff but truth be told, three sips and I’m done. Call me a cheap date, I guess.
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 am
do you leave the lemon peels in the jar even after the 40 days?
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:15 am
Yep, it’s a good thing…never thinking of them would be the bad thing. Love Limoncello in other things & have been thinking about Cindy’s recipe since she posted it. Need to finish that bottle that’s already in the cupboard though. It might take a while because we’re not big drinkers here either. But I DO have a sinful limoncello cake recipe…
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:04 am
Great! I’ve got a bottle of limoncello waiting for me in the freezer and now I have a fabulous new way to use the fruits of my labor. Thanks!
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:17 am
Limoncello has always seemed like a fun project, but I’m just like you – one glass of wine and I’m DONE. Although my recourse tends to be weaker gin & tonics with plenty of lime rather than girly drinks. But whenever I get a little dwarf meyer lemon tree – limoncello, here I come! I’m sure I’ll find friends to foist it off upon :)
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:20 am
I just finished a batch of homemade vanilla extract as per your instructions, so I think this is the logical next thing to do, right? Looks great!
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:30 am
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August 2nd, 2010 at 9:33 am
We love limoncello. I have two recipes waiting to be tried sitting on my desk.
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 am
Glad Jeremy is home. And *clink*… to Kris. :)
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 am
i have been wanting to make my own limoncello forever– think i might give it a try this summer after all. i love your drink recipe!
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:05 am
Wow. Sounds and looks delicious. I’m a softy with cocktails too…need to be a little girly :)
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:33 am
love the idea wish i had it bback in the spring so we could enjoy during the summer but with that i think it will work for the fall
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
That picture of the lemon peels is just stunning! I’ve never made limoncello but I’ve always wanted to. I’m going to have to try this.
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Oh, I’m totally making this! Thanks for the recipe.
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I’m not a straight-liquor girl, either. But the cocktail looks wonderful!
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Haha–yes, you got it totally right! CHEAP vodka. I get the same look when I buy Two Buck Chuck red wine to make vin d’orange. Since I live in enough proximity to the wine country that teenaged cashiers look at me with pity as they ring it up, I feel obliged to explain “It’s for a PROJECT.”
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 pm
And also–thanks for another drink recipe! Although the MIL could drink lemon drops until the end of time, I’m getting tired of them.
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
I wish I could offer you a real hug. I wish it could help. I’ll do what I can and let you know I’m really sorry. I think you are very strong. I’ll bet your sister would be proud of you.
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:06 pm
But that last bit wasn’t my place to say. I’m sorry.
August 3rd, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Jen, glad you got to celebrate your sister Kris with this lovely glass of sunshine. She would be so proud of you and the beautiful person that you are. Yes, it is our outlook from within that matters the most. xo
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:43 pm
i used to have a lemon tree in my backyard that had peels a half inch thick. when i first discovered this i thought there was something wrong with the tree! turns out they were sorrento lemons and they made the absolute best limoncello, and it didn’t take anywhere near 80 days to make… i got the recipe from “molto mario” (le sigh… i much preferred food network when they aired things besides pastry challenges and cupcake wars). it takes a week and 4 days to make, and it totally smokes anything that comes from a bottle.
here’s the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/lemon-digestive-assistant-limoncello-recipe/index.html
August 4th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I went to the county fair today (opening day) and while I was looking at the wine and beer entries, I noticed some limoncello. Right away I knew I had to look for a recipe and prepare for next year’s fair. I live in lemon country, after all! Thanks for the post. My thoughts are with you.
August 5th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I am just thrilled that you used the word “ninny”. That made my Thursday :)
August 7th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
the last time i made limoncello, i used my microplane, and the result looked like, quite frankly, pee pee. i’ll have to try the big strips next time :)
August 12th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Terry – I’ve never tried using everclear. I wonder why people say to use it? Perhaps they need more oomf? I for one am a total booze weenie, so I’ll stick with my cheap vodka ;) My sister died in a car accident. I’m sorry about your brother. I know what it’s like. xo
Nan – I don’t keep mine in the freezer, mainly because the jar is too big. I need to get out and buy some more small bottles for gifts and just for ease of use. I hear sipping it chilled is quite nice too!
Y – cheap, but cute!! :) xxoo
Marie – this I do not know. I mean, mine are still in the jar because I haven’t gotten smaller bottles to divvy it up yet. My guess is that after 80 days, the peels aren’t going to change much more?
Kristin – I use most of my flavored booze in desserts too!
Melissa – *hugs* and thanks. xo
Abby – isn’t it pretty? I think I like it more for the pretty than anything else.
Cindy – thanks for the inspiration, love. You’re my cheap vodka maven :)
Stephane – that’s very kind of you, thank you. No worries at all.
Marla – thank you, hon xo
joolz – thanks, I’ll check it out!
January 26th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I love making limoncello, and I usually mix mine with tangerine juice. I’ve never tried adding grenadine to it, but gosh…that looks and sounds wonderful! I have to try it! Thanks for the recipe, and by the way, I love your photos! They cheer me up on this cold, dreary day! :)
April 20th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Hi there – can you tell me what kind of container you used for gifting the limoncello? I must know! I will make this for Christmas gifts!!!
April 24th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
MamaCissy – I just go to a local homebrew store which sells all sorts of nice glass bottles. They are usually tall, thin, and clear glass – no decoration or design.