Did someone say lemon cake?

Nothing says summer like the flavor of lemon and one of the easiest ways to bring the flaor of lemon into your baked goods is through making your own lemon peel extract. This extract is easy to make and is a great way to use up some of the lemon peel if you are squeezing some lemons.

Read more below for simple and quick directions for making your own lemon peel extract in your kitchen.

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Contents

What is Lemon Peel Extract?

Lemon extract is a concentrated flavoring derived from the essence of lemon peels, capturing the bright and zesty taste and aroma characteristic of fresh lemons. Lemon extract is a versatile ingredient used in both sweet and savory dishes, adding a refreshing and acidic punch to a variety of culinary creations. From lemon cakes, cookies, and pies to lemon-infused marinades, salad dressings, and sauces, this extract enhances the flavor profile of dishes with its vibrant and aromatic essence.

Additionally, lemon extract is commonly used in beverage preparation, such as lemonade, cocktails, and flavored water, to impart a burst of citrus flavor.

Benefits of Making Lemon Extract at Home

Making lemon extract at home is easy and is the perfect way to make sure you know exactly what is going in your extract. You can also determine how strong to make your extract by adjusting the amount of lemon or giving your extract longer to infuse.

Ingredients and Equipment

Just like many other extracts, you only need a few ingredients to make lemon extract.

Lemon Peel: Choose a fresh lemom to make your extract. For the 4 ounce bottle, I used 2 medium sized lemons. Organic lemons are best but if you can’t find organic lemons make sure to wash your lemons well. Zest the lemons.

Vodka: choose a mild mor moderate flavored vodka. You can also use rum to make extract but I prefer the neutral flavor of vodka.

Bottles: you can use any bottle to make your extract. I purchased a set of 4 oz bottles online and prefer clear bottles to clearly see what is happening with the almonds and vodka. Depending on the opening you will likely need a funnel to pour in the liquid. Some bottles come with a funnel or you can use one you have at home.

Zester: you will need a zester to zest the lemons.

Step-by-Step Guide How to Make Lemon Extract

Prepare the Lemons: Wash the lemons thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Pat them dry with a clean towel. Use a zester or grater to remove the zest from the lemons. Make sure to only zest the outer, colored part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. You can also use a vegetable peeler to remove larger strips of zest.
Place Zest in Jar: Place the lemon zest into a clean glass jar. You can adjust the amount of zest based on how strong you want the lemon flavor to be. Generally, 2-3 lemons’ worth of zest per cup of alcohol is a good ratio. I used 2 medium lemons for 4 ounces of alcohol.
Add Alcohol: Pour the vodka or other alcohol over the lemon zest in the jar, making sure it completely covers the zest. Seal the jar tightly with the lid.
Infuse: Place the jar in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Let the lemon zest infuse in the alcohol for at least 2-4 weeks, shaking the jar gently every few days to help the flavors meld.
Strain the Extract: After the infusion period, strain the lemon extract through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove the zest solids. You may need to strain it a few times to ensure it’s completely smooth.
Bottle and Store: Transfer the strained lemon extract into small dark glass bottles for storage. Dark glass helps protect the extract from light, which can degrade its flavor over time. Store the bottles in a cool, dark place, and your homemade lemon extract will keep for several months to a year.
Optional: For a stronger extract, you can repeat the process with fresh lemon zest and the alcohol, letting it infuse for additional time before straining and bottling.

Tips and Troubleshooting

The most common problems when making lemon extract are a balance of flavors and a slight bitter taste.

Not Strong Enough: add more lemon zest and allow to infuse for a few more weeks

Bitter Taste: You likely used too much of the white part of the lemon

Too Strong: try diluting your extract with more vodka or use less in each recipe

Homemade Lemon Extract Recipe

Lemon Peel Extract

Create this easy and useful Lemon extract for yur home kitchen.

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Equipment

4 ounce extract jars
Zester
Funnel

Ingredients

2 Zest of 2 Lemons
4 ounces Vodka

Instructions

Prepare the Lemons: Wash the lemons thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Pat them dry with a clean towel. Use a zester or grater to remove the zest from the lemons. Make sure to only zest the outer, colored part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. You can also use a vegetable peeler to remove larger strips of zest.
Place Zest in Jar: Place the lemon zest into a clean glass jar. You can adjust the amount of zest based on how strong you want the lemon flavor to be. Generally, 2-3 lemons’ worth of zest per cup of alcohol is a good ratio. I used 2 medium lemons for 4 ounces of alcohol.
Add Alcohol: Pour the vodka or other alcohol over the lemon zest in the jar, making sure it completely covers the zest. Seal the jar tightly with the lid.
Infuse: Place the jar in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Let the lemon zest infuse in the alcohol for at least 2-4 weeks, shaking the jar gently every few days to help the flavors meld.
Strain the Extract: After the infusion period, strain the lemon extract through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove the zest solids. You may need to strain it a few times to ensure it’s completely smooth.
Bottle and Store: Transfer the strained lemon extract into small dark glass bottles for storage. Dark glass helps protect the extract from light, which can degrade its flavor over time. Store the bottles in a cool, dark place, and your homemade lemon extract will keep for several months to a year.
Optional: For a stronger extract, you can repeat the process with fresh lemon zest and the alcohol, letting it infuse for additional time before straining and bottling.

How to Make Lemon Peel Extract