How come Sainsburys lemons are flagged as 'best of British'?

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Is there something about UK agriculture I should know?

[expatinscotland]

Thanks for the reminder! I need to start making my lemon vodka so it'll be ready in time to give out as Xmas pressies.

Off to buy some lemons!

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Lemon vodka - yum.

[Imawurzel]

mmm,sounds nice.

[expatinscotland]

Lemon vodka over lemon sobet as a quick pud.

Mmmmm.

It's just lemon rind and vodka and you give it a shake every day or so.

I make batches of it.

I like to keep it in the freezer.

[Whoooosh]

oooh thanks Expat-going tot try that one but doubt it will hang around till Xmas.

BTW-I can highly recommend Waitrose own label vodka-nice bottle too...

[expatinscotland]

Thanks, Whoosh! I use own label brand voddy to make it.

I do raspberry/strawberry, too, with fresh fruit. Which means right about now!

You just let it steep and then strain it.

It really is a nice wee gift for neighbours, nursery nurses, work colleagues, etc.

[Whoooosh]

Now you really have got me going-sounds much better than the old Rumtopf (sp?) my Mum used to make.
Mind you as spoonful of that at 50 yards would get you pissed

[Whoooosh]

How long to steep for Expat? (soft fruit that is)

[PenelopePitstops]

expat, sounds yummy, please write a beginners guide!

[expatinscotland]

Well, you peel a whole lemon. NO white pitch. That's the tricky part. I use a big, ripe lemon. Try to peel it in long strips.

Put the rind in a large jar - I use one of those pasta jars.

Cover with about 1.5 - 1.75 ltr of vodka.

Put in in a dark, dry place at room temp or so - I put it in a cupboard out in our stair.

Turn, stir or shake the jar daily for about 3 weeks.

Taste.

Strain out the lemon and decant.

You can steep it longer - I do! I usually start in July and keep shaking and stirring every day or so and strain in November or so.

If you are using raspberries or strawberries (or both), then it's 3-4 cups of fruit. Put in the jar, cover with about 1.5-1.75 ltr of vodka and do the same thing.

Then you strain out the berries.

You can also use the vodka berries in a recipe or to make ice cream or some very adult smoothies.

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

This thread has turned out better than it started

[PenelopePitstops]

yummmmy thanks expat!

[expatinscotland]

Off to start making mine today.

I soak my mixed dried fruit that I use for Xmas cakes pretty much all year.

In brandy.

My cakes ROCK!

I also use the mixed fruit to make Dundee cake.

[BadKitten]

mmmm - will have to try lemon vodka. Am making cherry vodka at the moment, not tried it before so I hope it doesnt taste like cough medicine.

I did once make chilli vodka - thought it would be nice for bloody marys. only it turned out way too spicy even for me and you couldnt use enough vodka to make a decent drink.

[expatinscotland]

Just the one peel will do it, Bad. You don't need more than that.