How To Make Lemon Extract

Have you seen the prices of extracts these days? They are crazy high for just a little bottle. Learn how to make lemon extract at home for just a fraction of the price.

How To Make Lemon Extract

When you know how to make lemon extract it will save you a ton of money. Yes, you do have to buy things like vodka but it goes a really long way.

The only downside to making your own extract is it does take time. You can’t just whip it up and bake with it that day. It needs about four weeks before it is ready.

So with baking season right around the corner, I would get a batch started to it will be ready in time.

If you are looking for other extracts you can make, here are a few to check out.

• Homemade Mint Extract
• How To Make Vanilla Extract – Double Fold – Includes How To Make Vanilla Sugar

How To Make This Extract:

You want to start by washing the lemons and then dry them.

Then using a zester or a citrus twist peeler, remove the zests from all the lemons. You just want to make sure you are only getting the yellow part of the peel. The white part will make the extract bitter. If you get a few pieces of the white in there it is ok, just try and avoid as much of it as you can.

Now simply add the zest to a jar and pour the vodka over it. You want to make sure that all of the zest is submerged in the vodka. Place the lid on the jar and keep in a dark area. 

NOTE: You can place the zest in small bottles and fill like I have done in the pictures if you want. The only issue with doing this is when it comes time to take the zest back out it is a little tricky, but can be done.

Every few days over the next four weeks give it a shake.

After four weeks, strain off the liquid from the zest making sure to keep the liquid. Add the liquid to small bottles and toss the used zest.

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How To Make Lemon Extract

No need to pay high dollar prices for a tiny bottle of lemon extract when you know how to make it. Learn how to make lemon extract at home!

Course Extract

Cuisine American

Keyword lemon, baking, lemon extract, extracts

Prep Time 10 minutes

Soaking Time 30 days

Total Time 30 days 10 minutes

Servings 1 1/4 Cups

Ingredients

• 4 Lemons
• 1 1/4 Cups Vodka or Everclear

Instructions

1. You want to start by washing the lemons and then dry them.

2. Then using a zester or a citrus twist peeler, remove the zests from all the lemons. You just want to make sure you are only getting the yellow part of the peel. The white part will make the extract bitter. If you get a few pieces of the white in there it is ok, just try and avoid as much of it as you can.

3. Now simply add the zest to a jar and pour the vodka over it. You want to make sure that all of the zest is submerged in the vodka. Place the lid on the jar and keep in a dark area. 

4. Every few days over the next four weeks give it a shake.

5. After four weeks, strain off the liquid from the zest making sure to keep the liquid. Add the liquid to small bottles and toss the used zest.

Recipe Notes

NOTE: You can place the zest in small bottles and fill like I have done in the pictures if you want. The only issue with doing this is when it comes time to take the zest back out it is a little tricky, but can be done.