Homemade Limoncello

This past May my sister-in-law Kathy and her husband Bob went to Italy for a week.  After they got back we went over to see them.  They were so kind to bring me back a dish towel that had some lemons on it and the recipe for Limoncello (in Italian & English).  Thanks Kathy & Bob.  They also brought back some Italian Limoncello.  Mmmmm... Is all I had to say. 

Since I liked the what I had at their house I thought I would give the homemade version of it a try. 

First you will need an air tight container.  A bottle of vodka (I used 80 proof).  The peels of 8 lemons.  I used a vegetable peeler.  Make sure you do not get any of the white pith. 

In your jar, place the lemon peels and vodka then put the cover on. 

Let the lemon peels and vodka sit for seven days.  I sloshed mine around everyday.  After 7 days your lemon peels will look somewhat pale. 

Now strain the vodka from the peels and set aside. 

Meanwhile, mix 5 cups of water and 3 cups of sugar together in a sauce pan.  Let it cool to room temp.  Next pour the vodka mixture into the water.  You will notice a slight cloudiness.  This is normal. 

After mixing the water with the vodka pour into bottles that can be sealed.  I used a variety of bottles.  One of my best friends Melissa told me to use the small wine bottles, so of course I had to go buy some and drink them.  lol...  I don't know why I didn't keep the vodka bottles that I emptied for the recipe.  I guess just dumb thinking on my part.

I thought it came out pretty darn tasty.  One night we had about twenty people over to the house and I took out one of the larger bottles for everyone to try.  It was a hit especially with one neice's husband who doesn't like lemon.  Another night we took a large bottle over to a brother-in-law's cookout and it was a hit there.  Actually someone put an order in for Labor Day weekend.. 

I will be making this over and over...

P.S. Don't forget to make homemade lemonade with all those naked lemons.  I had doubled the limoncello recipe so I have alot of naked lemons.