Italian Lemon Aperitif
3 lemons (6 oz. each)
2 cups sugar
3 cups (750 mi.) vodka
Rinse lemons; if waxed, rub with a cloth under hot running water.
Dry with a cloth. Grate yellow part (white is bitter) from lemons to
make 1 tablespoon.
In a 2- to 3-quart pan, combine peel, sugar, and vodka. Stir often
over medium heat until mixture reaches 125 [degrees] to 130
[degrees] (hot to touch), about 5 minutes. Watch carefully; if
overheated, fumes may ignite. Let cool.
Meanwhile, cut the grated lemons in 1/2 and ream 8 to 10 tablespoons
juice. Add juice to vodka mixture. Pour into bottles; seal airtight.
(If seals are rubber or synthetic rubber, cover glass top with
plastic wrap to protect seals; alcohol can soften them.) Store at
least 2 days or up to 1 week in a cool, dark place. Pour through a
strainer lined with 2 layers of damp cheesecloth into an 8-cup glass
measure; return to bottles. Serve or seal airtight and store up to i
year in a cool, dark place. MAKES: 4 1/2 cups
Per tablespoon: 43 cal., 0% (0 cal.) from fat; 0 g protein; 0 g fat;
5.7 g carbo (0 g fiber); 0.2 mg sodium; 0 mg chol. |