Vodka is a wonder liquor. It is prized for its clean neutrality and ability to enhance the flavors around it. Therefore, vodka is perfect for making your own little precious liqueurs. I have only done this previously with vodka and vanilla beans, so I was pumped about making my own limoncello. The pale yellow hue and chilly clarity of its finish has an ambrosial quality that turns its every vessel into God of that moment.
Ginger limoncello with crushed basil
1/2 a 750 mL bottle of medium-quality vodka
1/2 inch ginger
1 large lemon
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups water
Basil leaves
Pour the vodka into a water bottle.
Peel the lemon, grate the ginger, and add it to the vodka. Screw the cap on the water bottle, place it in the back of the fridge, and let the lemon and ginger steep in the vodka for two weeks to a month.
When the vodka is ready, make the simple syrup. In a medium saucepan, mix the water and sugar together, and place on medium heat. Bring to a boil.
Pour the syrup over the vodka, and let it sit on the counter overnight.
The next morning, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
Refrigerate indefinitely- this shit lasts forever.
When serving, crush one or two basil leaves in your fingers and put it in the glass. Pour limoncello over. Even better: once you're done drinking your share, remove the leaf and chew on it for a moment.
I used leftover vodka to make the limoncello, so I just wung the recipe according to the amount I had, and then I wanged the 'cello 'cause it was so damn refreshing.
A post for Frazier.
ReplyDeletei like how you say medium-quality vodka.
ReplyDeletefor good reason. vodka should go down smooth, and medium-quality vodka does this really well. high-quality vodka is going to be masked by all the aromatics you add to the limoncello, so it doesn't matter as much.
ReplyDelete