Giada's Limoncello Recipe

courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Show: Everyday Italian Episode: Summers in Capri

• Ready In: 120 hrs 15 mins
• Yields: 2 bottles

Ingredients

• 10  lemons
• 1 (750 ml) bottle vodka
• 3 1⁄2 cups water
• 2 1⁄2 cups sugar

Directions

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use).
2. Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith.
3. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher.
4. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.
5. Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
6. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight.
7. 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.