Lemoncelli & Infused Lemon Martini

Borrowed from Bend Living Home magazine, November/December 2006
Many martini lovers are learning to infuse their own vodkas with fruits, vegetables, and herbs of all kinds. Citrus fruits - especially juice oranges and lemons - are the easiest to infuse, as they take less than a week. All you'll need are basic glass jars with tightly fitting lids. Try choosing wheat or soy vodkas that have been distilled at least three times, and avoid rye- or potato-based vodkas, which are not as conducive to infusion.


Limoncelli (Lemon Infused Vodka)
8 lemons or oranges
2C water
1-1/2C sugar
1-1/2C vodka (I used McCormick Vodka, Quadruple Distilled from American Grain - about $8/bottle made a double batch with some left over)
Chop the lemons or oranges and combine them with the vodka, water, and sugar. Stir gently for a full minute, seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place for five days. While the infusion is ready now, you can continue the process for up to a month, depending upon the intensity of infusion you seek. Taste your blend occasionally to match the flavor to your taste. When the flavor is too strong, dilute with a little more vodka. If the flavor is too weak, add a little more sugar. Strain into another large, clean jar, discarding the lemon or orange pulp.
(I did my infusion for 10 days, gently shaking it each day for a few seconds.)


Infused Lemon Martini
1-1/2 oz. infused-lemon vodka
3/4 oz. Triple Sec
1 tsp lemon juice
Rub lemon around the rim of a frozen martini glass and dip in sugar. Add ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake hard and strain into glass. Add a thin slice of lemon and a sprig of mint.