Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 8 lemons (Meyer or Eureka, washed and dried)
  • One 4-inch rosemary sprig (washed and dried)
  • 1500 millimeters 100-proof alcohol (2 750 ml. each, EverClear or Vodka)
  • 4 1/2 cups sugar

Instruction

  • Peel lemons with a sharp vegetable peeler, taking only the zest (top layer) and avoiding any white pith. Put rosemary in a one gallon glass or ceramic container with a tight seal. Add zest to jar.
  • Pour 750 ml. Everclear over rosemary and zest; seal container. Let sit undisturbed in a cool, dark place for 40 days.
  • In a saucepan, bring 5 cups water to a boil and add sugar. Cook, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Let sugar syrup cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
  • Pour syrup and remaining 750 ml. Everclear over lemon-vodka mixture, stir, and seal container. Let sit in a cool, dark place for another 40 days.
  • Pour limoncello through cheesecloth into a large spouted pitcher and divide among gift bottles.