The Best Hooch You'll Ever Taste (Limoncello)

It's probably a little sad but a few weeks ago, as my family and I were getting settled into our new home here in Manhattan, KS, I was feeling a little homesick for the warmth of our old place in southern Georgia. There isn't much of a winter there but DANG...it's cold here in Kansas! I haven't lived somewhere this cold in quiet a long time so I have been very spoiled by the nice warm winter temperatures of the south. It had only been 2 whole weeks and I was already miss the days of complaining about 50 degree temps instead of looking forward to them like I do now.
During the summers in Georgia it gets pretty darn hot and muggy. In the evenings one of my favorite things to do was to sit outside with an icy cold drink to cool off and relax after a long hard day of soldiering. One of my favorite things to sip on a hot summer evening is Limoncello and it is so easy to make BUT...you have to have a bit of patience and forethought because it takes a few weeks to get it all together.

What you'll need:
12 Lemons (I'm not going to specify variety but try to get organic if you can)
 750 ml Everclear (Some recipes I've seen call for Vodka...I say use whichever is your pleasure but if you go with Vodka go with 100 proof)

Simple Syrup: 5 Cups of Water
                        4 Cups of Sugar

1. The first step in creating a sweet and refreshing Limoncello is to make sure to properly cleanse your lemon. Use hot water and a veggie scrubber to ensure that you get off all of the pesticides and waxes that are put on to the fruit.

2. Go ahead and pour your Everclear or Vodka into a glass jar or container

3. Once all 12 of your lemons are clean and patted dry you are going to careful zest your lemons making sure to only harvest the peal and NOT the pith. The white stuff underneath the rind is very bitter and gross and will ruin what will be a perfectly sweet and delicious drink. As you are zesting the lemons add that zest to the Everclear in the jar

4. Now here's the fun part...put the lid on the jar and let it sit at room temperature for at least 2 weeks. If you're a really patient person you can let it sit for up to a month...that's right...a month. THIS is why I said that you need patience and foresight because this drink is not something you're gonna have for the party this weekend BUT it is soooo worth it! You don't need to shake it or stir it during this time. You will be able to see the Everclear take on the pretty color of the lemons and just imagine that fresh flavor that's transferring! YUMMY

*The next time I make a batch I won't shred the rind into such small pieces...
Also I will take having to add the simple syrup into account and ensure that I start with a bigger container...but hey, you live and you learn

5. After your 2 weeks to a month have passed, You're going to make your simple syrup by combining your sugar and water in a large sauce pan and heating it until the sugar dissolves (DO NOT STIR). Let it boil for about 5 minutes then cool it down. Once that is all set up and cooled you will add it to your lemons and Everclear and let that sit for another 2 weeks to a month

6. Finally after the second rest period you are ready to strain out the lemon peels using a moistened cheesecloth...a coffee filter works just as good. After the old lemon rinds have been removed you are finally ready to bottle up your limoncello, freeze, and enjoy a drink. It is the best hooch you are ever gonna make!

P.S. You don't have to only drink it...you can use it as a drizzle on top of fresh strawberries or over pound cake...it's sooooo good...enjoy!

Wishing you Love and Laughter,
Shereeta