How to Make Lemon Balm Liquor (Liqueur)

This citrus liquor really benefits from the addition of lemon balm leaves. It gives the bouquet a light, sweet lemony fragrance -- one thing that is so appealing about this herb.

Lemon balm liquor is best served chilled from your freezer -- and use some caution because it packs a wallop. It's like lemonade for grownups.

Making Lemon Balm Liquor

Ingredients

• Glass jar with a tightly fitting lid (I use a gallon jar, but you can certainly go smaller.)
• 3 Cups fresh lemon balm leaves
• 12 Lemons
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 Bottle  (80 proof - 750 ml) unflavored vodka

Instructions

1. Wash and bruise the lemon balm.
2. Zest the lemons (you'll be using the lemon zest only). Include as little of the white, spongy pith as possible.
3. Combine all ingredients and add to the jar. Shake vigorously and place the jar in a warm, dark location for two to three weeks. Give the jar a shake every couple of days. The warmer it is in your home, the shorter the curing time.
4. Strain the liquid through a length of cheese cloth into a display bottle, or return the mixture to the original vodka bottle.
5. That's it.
6. Serve this brew chilled.

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Photo courtesy of Zsuzsanna Kilian stock.xchange http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1257492