January-February in Arizona is a time when anyone with a lemon tree usually has more lemons than they know what to do with. Even if you don't have your own tree, or know someone who does, it's likely that someone in your neighborhood will be putting boxes by the curb in a silent plea for help. This recipe helps you help them :-) Plus, home-grown lemons don't have any wax sprayed on them that, while helping prevent moisture loss, is a pain when you're trying to get oil out of the peels.
Peels from 5-6 large lemons - home grown if you can manage it
2 c fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 c water
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c erythritol
2-3 t citric acid
Use a vegetable peeler to remove oily layer of peel off 5-6 lemons. Juice them and enough more to make around 2 c juice.
Put water, sugar, and erythritol in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Scrunch the peels with your hands, add to saucepan and return to simmer. Add lemon juice and bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside to steep. When cool, pour into a non-reactive container (glass, ceramic, stainless steel) and refrigerate overnight. Strain into a glass jar and store in fridge.
I discovered gin rickeys over dinner with friends Christopher & Margaret Chrismas 2022. I'm going to be trying this cordial in a lemon version.
