Homemade Lemon Extract Recipe
Homemade lemon extract is one of the easiest ways to add a ton of flavor to your bakes without keeping a stash of fresh lemons on hand! Plus, the process is the same with other citrus so you can make several types at once during citrus season. A little goes a long way, so it'll last you a while!
Equipment
- mason jar
- Small strainer
- funnel optional
- zester optional
Ingredients
- 1 cup vodka
- 2-3 organic lemons zest or peel only
Instructions
- Use a sturdy peeler or zester to remove the skin from your lemons. Avoid the pith as much as possible.
- Add the peels to your glass jar. Cover with alcohol.
- Shake the jar daily. Store in a cool, dark place for 4-5 weeks.
- Once the extract has a strong lemon scent, strain out the peels and store the extract in a jar.
- For an even stronger extract, restart the process with a new batch of lemon peels and the initial batch of strained lemon extract. Let the mixture rest for 2-3 weeks again, then strain out the lemon rinds and store the extract in a glass bottle.
Notes
After you finish infusing the lemon peels in vodka, strain them out and store the lemon extract in an airtight container, like a clean jar or glass bottle. I recommend using amber glass to keep the extract out of direct sunlight. The shelf life is approximately 1-2 years.