Cocktail Party Countdown: 2:00 PM Limoncello Recipe with Grilled Lemons

Cheers, Lemon Drops. Join the cocktail party! 1 imaginative grilled fruit mixed drink will make a splash debut every hour starting at noon and ending with a saucy cocktail party at 6 PM. Enjoy the cocktail countdown and order your mixed drink in comments.

serves 6

Ingredients
16 large grilled lemons
Two 750-milliliter bottles grain vodka
6 cups water
6 cups sugar

Directions
1. With a paring knife, remove the ends. With a vegetable peeler, remove only the yellow rind, leaving the pith intact. (Squeeze juice from the lemons and reserve for another use.)

2. Place the lemon peel in a 4-quart Mason jar with a rubber-seal lid. Add the grain vodka, completely covering the lemon peel. Store in a cool, dark place, shaking the jar, occasionally to blend flavors. Set aside for 3-weeks.

3. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the sugar and remove from the heat, stirring until it is dissolved. Cover and let cool to room temperature.

4. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature, overnight. Strain the limoncello through a strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold. When serving add sparkling water into each glass and add limoncello. Garnish with wedges of grilled lemon.

Grilled Lemons
Ingredients
16 lemons, washed, dried and sliced lengthwise
Canola oil

Directions
1. Brush the grill with oil and set it to high heat.

2. Once the grill is warm, place the lemons on the grill. Grill the lemon until pulp browns, about 20 seconds.

Grilled Fruit Ideas for Food: Grilled lemons add a smoky taste to ceviche and vinaigrettes.

Cocktail Party Countdown Menu
12:00 PM Cocktail – Mimosa with Grilled Oranges

1:00 PM Cocktail – White Sangria with Grilled Plums

2:00 PM Cocktail – Limoncello with Grilled Lemons

Check in every hour to see the next creative cocktail recipe. Then stay tuned for the cocktail party that brings all of these mixed drinks together at 6PM. See you there!

image: kerryball