This quick and easy recipe for this delicious Limoncello is well worth making in time for the long hot summer evenings sitting in the garden with friends, sharing this cold sweet, gorgeous Italian Liqueur, this is defiantly my favourite after dinner drink.

8 good quality unwaxed lemons

700ml vodka

600g caster sugar

Method

Wash and dry the lemons, then, using vegetable peeler, peel the zest into strips, be careful not to get any of the white pith as this can be bitter.

Put all the peel into a large, sterilised jar, cover with vodka and seal.

I used a large Kilner Jar, which I placed in a 160-degree oven for 10 minutes to sterilise it, if it has an orange rubber seal on it, place this in a bowl of boiling water for 10 minutes, do not put this in the oven or it will dry up and crack.

Store in a cool dark place for at least a week.

When the vodka is infused, strain it through a muslin – lined sieve into a bowl.

Put the sugar into a small saucepan with 400ml of water and gently bring to a simmer. Swirl and leave to gently bubble way over a low – medium heat for 3 minutes, then remove from the heat, you do not want the syrup to colour at all.

When cool, add half to the strained vodka, taste and add more syrup until you are happy.

The more you add, the sweeter and weaker it will be.

Pour into clean bottles and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Serve chilled with sunshine!