Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

homemade lemon extract

(1 rating)
Recipe by
From Grano's Kitchen
La Fontaine, IN

Tips: Stick with organic lemons, since you’ll be using the peel Prefer to use alcohol-free extracts? Just replace the vodka with three parts food-grade liquid glycerin and one part water Homemade lemon extract makes a great gift. Make an extra batch (or several) to share with your friends and family Save the brown bottles from store-bought extracts, and refill them with your own extracts You can also make your own orange, peppermint and vanilla extract

(1 rating)
prep time 1 Hr
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For homemade lemon extract

  • 2-3
    organic lemons
  • 1/2 c
    vodka (80-100 proof, cheap stuff is fine)
  • 1 jar
    with lid
  • some patience

How To Make homemade lemon extract

  • 1
    Remove the zest from 2 - 3 lemons. A lemon zester is a great tool for this project but you may also try using a vegetable peeler. Do not include the white pith because it is very bitter. Place peels inside a clean jar.
  • 2
    Add approximately 1/2 cup of vodka to your lemon zest. Make sure your peel is completely covered by the liquid (add more if not) and tightly seal your jar. Give it a nice shake and let concoction sit in a dark place for 4 - 8 weeks depending on how much patience you have (the longer it sits, the stronger the extract). Gently shake the mixture at least once a week to infuse the flavors.
  • 3
    When proper time has elapsed, strain your finished product and place inside a clean glass bottle. This will last for years! (Note: To make this infusion double strength, add another batch of lemon peel to your finished extract and repeat the process one more time.)
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