Lemon Extract
Elevate your baking and culinary creations with the vibrant zest of homemade Lemon Extract! This simple yet powerful recipe uses just two ingredients—fresh organic lemon zest and vodka—to create a pure, intensely citrusy flavor enhancer that's perfect for cakes, cookies, cocktails, and more. With only 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, this DIY lemon extract develops its bold, tangy essence over 4–6 weeks of infusion, resulting in a versatile ingredient free of artificial additives. Easily stored for up to a year, this homemade extract not only delivers unmatched freshness but is also a budget-friendly alternative to store-bought options. Embrace the bright aroma of lemon in your kitchen and discover the joy of making your own natural flavoring!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 5 lemons Lemon zest (from organic lemons)
- 1 cup Vodka (minimum 80 proof)
Instructions
Wash and dry the lemons thoroughly. Using a microplane or a citrus zester, finely zest the lemons, avoiding the white pith as it can add bitterness to the extract.
Place the lemon zest into a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. A 16-ounce jar works well for this recipe.
Pour the vodka over the lemon zest, ensuring that the zest is completely submerged in the liquid.
Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard.
Allow the mixture to steep for at least 4 weeks, shaking the jar gently once a week to help the flavors infuse.
After 4–6 weeks, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle, discarding the zest.
Seal the jar or bottle and store your homemade lemon extract in a cool, dark place. It will retain its bright citrus flavor for up to 1 year.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
564 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7.5 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.0 g | ||
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 65 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
