by Swede » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:54 am
I did this, and was amazed at how nice it is. Not bitter at all, even though I added hardly any sugar.
I used the zest of 4 lemons in a half mason jar of 95% (a bit less than 400ml, sorry, I rarely measure accurately 8-) ). The high proof alcohol pulled color and flavor within hours, and after 3 days, the lemon rind appeared white and spent.
I figured there was little point in leaving it to the point of bitterness, so I poured it off into a 750ml bottle. I dissolved 3 tsp white sugar in a little water, put this in and topped up with cool water. Total finished vol, 750ml, abv ~50% or so.
Note, it did louche much like punkins, and I have no issue with this, in fact, it reminds me of lemon meurrenge pie filling, in color and taste. I put much less sugar in than the above recipies, but i dont like sweet drinks, and found this quite pleasant and refreshing, without any citrus bitterness, just clean lemon taste, initally, and on the palette after a sip too :D
Tried some in a glass on ice with a splash of water, and I can say, this will be a staple here, as long as lemons are in season and affordable.