So, I'm starting a batch of limecello for summer 2011. Yes, it's mid-July and therefore really late to start this batch. But it's been one of the coldest springs/summers on record, so my fun, summer drink motivation has been minimal.
But, the sun is out, so here we go!
Ingredients
25 limes (the thicker the skin, the better because it's easier to get the rind and not the pith)
1 jug (1.5 liters) vodka (no need to buy the really nice stuff, but I try to get a cheap to medium quality vodka)
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
What to do
1. Peel all of the limes with a vegetable peeler. Try really hard to get just the rind (the green part) and not the pith (the white part). The pith is bitter, so you want to minimize the amount of pith. Also, I juice all of the limes when I'm done peeling off the rind and use the juice for other drinks/recipes. Don't waste good lime juice!
2. Pour jug of vodka over your lime rinds.
3. Let vodka and lime rinds sit for 6 weeks. Stir once a week. I know 6 weeks can be a painful wait, but it really makes a better limecello if you let it infuse that long.
4. After six weeks, strain the lime rinds out of the vodka. I use a mesh strainer with cheese cloth on it. This helps ensure the minimal amount of little bits getting through, and therefore a clearer liquid.
5. Make a simple syrup by dissolving the 2 cups of sugar in the 2 cups of water. Just bring the water to a boil, stir in the sugar until it dissolves, and then let it cool. Some people like their lime/limoncello sweeter so if that's you just increase to 3 or 4 cups suger and 3 or 4 cups water. But I like mine with a little tartness, so I keep it down at 2/2.
6. Pour the cooled simple syrup into the lime infused vodka.
7. Let the limecello mixture sit for another 10-14 days.
8. Chill and drink! I keep mine in the freezer. It can be sipped straight, or mixed with club soda and mint, or some other fun concoction. Enjoy!
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