Lovely limoncello

From Fast, Fresh and Easy Food.

To prepare the containers for this luscious lemon drink, sterilise a 1-litre glass bottle with a stopper or a Kilner jar in the dishwasher on the hottest wash, or carefully put them in just-boiled water (off the heat) for a couple of minutes and dry with a clean tea towel.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Infusing time: from 1 day to 3 months

Makes: 1 litre

EQUIPMENT

Medium pan, zester,

1-litre glass bottle with a stopper

or a Kilner jar (sterilised – see

right), fine sieve

INGREDIENTS

300g granulated sugar

200ml cold water

8 lemons

600ml vodka

METHOD

Put the sugar in a medium pan over a low to medium heat with the water.

Cook for a few minutes, giving it a stir from time to time, until the sugar

has melted. Then turn up the heat, bring to the boil and leave to bubble

away for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, give the lemons a wash in hot soapy water to get rid of the

shiny, waxy coating and then rinse and dry them well. Finely grate the

zest, avoiding the white pith, and set aside.

Remove the syrup from the heat, carefully add the vodka and stir in the

lemon zest.

Pour into the sterilised bottle or jar and leave to infuse for at least 1 day,

but up to 3 months. The flavour will develop further the longer you

leave it.

Once ready, strain the liquid through a fine sieve to remove the zest.

Serve freezer cold.