Lemons! Oh how I love them and how I wish I lived in a citrus producing climate. Despite my midwestern location, they always end up in my cart at the grocery store. I love them in salads, pastas, hummus, roasted veggies, cookies and cakes of all kinds and of course, the ultimate Italian liqueur : LIMONCELLO.

I remember the first time I tasted it. I was horrified. I was also a bratty teenager, so, go figure. The second time was a different story entirely. I was in Italy visiting distant relatives and after an outdoor dinner on a warm summer night, our host (Betta–one of the sweetest ladies ever) pulled out a frosty bottle from the freezer and served up petite glasses of her homemade liqueur. I was hooked–so fresh, so refreshing, so perfect.

And guess what? It's so easy to make your own! If you have a lot of lemons and a little time, you're in business. There are many recipes available online, but time and time again I find myself trusting the minds over at America's Test Kitchen (besides my own family of course, but since their recipes include words like "a little of this / a little of that" I tend to also consult with ATK).

I have a batch of limoncello started using the ATK recipe and am waiting (im)patiently for the next few weeks until it's ready for sipping. And since only the zest is used, there's a boat load of fresh lemon juice waiting to deglaze a pan of chicken piccata, brighten up a lemon sorbet, whip up in a salad dressing or just add to sparkling water while we all wait for spring. Buona Salute!

Purchase our limoncello kitchen towel here and the letterpress print here

Raise Your Glass to Lemons!