Though we have been to Italy lots of times and become more enchanted with every visit, we have tended to stick to lovely local wines; happy it is typically so inexpensive yet good. Not being big drinkers, we haven't experimented much but while at dinner with Morena in Bergamo,the waiter brought us limoncello to cleanse the palate for dessert. We fell under the spell of this lightly fragrant, lemony liqueur. Its like drinking liquid sunshine! We discovered many restaurants have their own special version. I've been experimenting with different recipes and this comes closest to the smoothest Limoncello I've had there.

What’s needed:
Lemon zester
One-gallon re-sealable glass jar with secure lid for infusing/storing
Additional smaller bottles that seal tightly, for limoncello batch (later)
2 layers cheesecloth and funnel

Ingredients:
17 thick, smooth-skinned, fragrant, bright yellow, lemons (vine ripened, organic ideal)
2 (750 ml) bottles 100-proof vodka (Absolut 100 or Everclear works)
4 cups white sugar
5 cups filtered water
Step One:
Wash lemons with brush & hot water; removing any reside of pesticides or wax. Pat dry.
Step Two:
In a large glass (1-gallon) jar with secure lid, add one 750 ml bottle of 100-proof vodka or Everclear and the lemon zest while being zested. When zesting lemons, be very careful to avoid bitter white pith - using only yellow outer part of rind (quality over quantity.) Save lemons for making lemonade or something. Cover jar and let rest in a cool, dark place for 30 days (swirl bottle once in a while). The vodka will slowly take on aromatic fragrance of the lemons.
Step Three:
After 1st month passes, add 2nd 750 ml bottle of 100-proof alcohol to lemon infusion and stir. Wait another 30 days, shaking bottle occasionaly.
Step Four:
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat; bring to a very gentle boil for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let simple syrup cool completely before adding to Limoncello. Cover jar tightly and allow it to steep for another 30 or more days.
Step Five: After 3rd month, strain Limoncello into prepared bottle(s) with a moistened, double layered cheesecloth; while squeezing every last drop of intensely flavored liquid from zested lemon peels. Discard the lemon zest. When bottles of Limoncello liqueur are sealed tightly, keep chilled & serve cold. Flavor gets smoother after 1st week and beyond. Keep in fridge or freezer. Enjoy!

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