Limoncello & Granita di Limone

Limoncello is one of my favorite tastes and traditions from Italy.  What a delightful way to conclude a meal!  The Italians sure know how to indulge!

Limoncello Recipe; or, When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Limoncello!

Ingredients:

• Grain Alcohol or Vodka, 750 ml
• Sorrento Lemons, 8
• Water, 4 cups
• Sugar, 2 cups

Directions:

• Peel lemon rinds, carefully avoiding the pith.
• Combine lemon peels and vodka in a large, airtight jar.
• Reserve peeled lemons for Granita di Limone.
  
• Age for 1 week in a cool, dark, dry place. Shake contents daily.
• One week later, dissolve sugar in water by boiling. Let cool.
• Strain the lemon peels and combine the alcohol and sugar water.
• Bottle the limoncello and store in the freezer.
• Serve chilled and straight as a digestif.

Granita di Limone Recipe
(Recipe from Elizabeth David's Italian Food) Ingredients:

• Lemons, 6-8, enough to produce 1/2 pint of juice
• Water, 2 cups
• Sugar, 1/2 cup
  

Directions:

• Squeeze the lemons to get juice.
• Boil water and sugar for 5 minutes to create a syrup.
  
• Let syrup cool.
• Combine lemon juice and syrup.
• Freeze.