Lemon Extract
For this particular extraction you will need any type of alcohol that is around 40% A.B.V or 80 proof. Anything less might not be able to extract everything from the lemon peel & anything more might be too much but of course use what you have or what you can easily find.
Keep in mind the overall flavor you’re wanting from this extraction & that will help you chose what type of alcohol you want to use. I prefer to use vodka that has little to no flavor.
If you are preferring to stay away from alcohol you can use glycerin as your extraction medium or menstruum
Equipment:
Fruit & vegetable wash
Vegetable peeler
Mason jar with lid
Pickle packer or wooden spoon to help pack the jar, optional
Chopstick or stirring rod
Parchment paper
Glass storage container
Ingredients:
Alcohol version: Learn more about Crafting Glycerites HERE
Lemons
40% Alcohol
Alcohol free version:
Lemons
Glycerin
Distilled Water
Instructions:
Determine if you are using alcohol or glycerin. If you are using glycerin mix it up now before you prepare your lemons. In a large mason jar add 60% glycerin & 40% distilled water. Place the lid on the jar & shake until it is well combined. Set aside until you are ready to use it
Wash your lemon peels & dry them thoroughly
Carefully peel your lemons removing the rind but leaving behind the white pith. The pith will make your extract bitter so try to leave as much behind as possible. Not using too much pressure when peeling the rind helps. Once your lemons have been peeled be sure to juice them & use the juice in your next recipe
Place the peels in a clean mason jar packing them down slightly as you go
Using as many peels as you want fill your jar to your desired amount. The more peels the stronger the infusion
Once your jar is full add your extraction medium, alcohol or glycerin, to your jar ensuring that everything is fully submerged
Give the peels & menstruum a good mix ensuring all parts of the peels are exposed to the menstruum
Place a piece of parchment paper over the top of the jar before adding the lid. We want the paper to be what is exposed to the extraction, not the mason jar lid
Store your extraction out of direct sunlight & allow it to sit for 3-4 weeks being sure to shake your jar every day or two. If at the end of this you decide you want to make a double strength extraction you can do so by straining the menstruum from the peels, place new peels in the jar & add the extraction over top. Then let the new extraction sit for 3-4 weeks. By the end you will have an extract that is double strength, because you infused twice the amount of peels. When using a double strength extraction you can use less extract when you go to use it in various recipes
Once your extract has finished extracting remove the peels from the extract & place in your desired glass storage container
Image of a half pint mason jar of lemon peels in vodka with parchment paper under the metal lid