Limoncello

I made this recipe for our the beach trip. Every year I meet my family in the Outer Banks, NC for a week of fun in the sun and relaxing. I look forward to this event every year. It is one of the few times that we all get together and truly have nothing else to do. Christmas is a nice time to see everyone but here are so many other activities going on that it is hard to spend real time talking or relaxing. The beach has a different vibe though. After the long drives and the hustle and bustle of getting unpacked and the kitchen stocked, everyone goes into "beach slumber mode." This means there is no agenda, no time schedule and no reason to leave our road, our beach house or even the couch if you don't want to. Myself, I am a "beach chair sitter"-with a book, people watching or taking a snooze.  I always say the water, sand and sun instantly take the weight off my shoulders.

As long as the sun is out, I will be at the beach. For years, my mom was been right there beside me. We are the official beach bums. There have been days in years past at OBX where we have refused to come off the beach because we are sure the sun will come out. We bundle up in beach towels and hats and wait; not willing to give up one second of beach sittin'. Then there are the other days when we wake up, immediately see the sun and put "Mission Sunshine" in motion. No one can pack a cooler, get dressed and haul chairs to the beach faster than us. We are like a finely oiled machine. Sure, other family members come and go and we love to see them all, but Mom and I are the diehards. We Love the Beach.... and there is no one I would rather sit there soaking up the sun with than her.

Limoncello

This recipe is perfect for a little summer sippin'. Great chilled and sipped straight or if you like add some seltzer water for a limoncello spritzer. Just don't forget a little goes a long way!! Salute!!

10 lemons

1 (750-ml) bottle vodka

3 1/2 cups water

2 1/2 cups sugar

 

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover in an air tight container. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

Recipe by Giada DeLaurentiis