ITALIAN 75

Italian 75 image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 10m

Yield 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 1/2 ounces chilled limoncello or Homemade Limoncello (recipe follows)
1/2 ounce gin
2 ounces chilled prosecco
1 lemon twist, for garnish
4 organic lemons, thoroughly washed and dried (see Cook's Note)
2 cups 80-proof vodka, such as Tito's
3/4 cup sugar or 3/4 cup store-bought simple syrup plus more, if desired

Steps:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour the limoncello and gin over the ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Top with the prosecco. Garnish with the lemon twist and serve.
Zest just the yellow portion of the lemon peels with a rasp grater, avoiding any of the bitter white pith. You should have about 1/4 cup zest. Transfer the zest to a jar or other airtight container. Add the vodka, seal and shake to combine. Set aside in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks.
Strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. You may need to line the sieve with a coffee filter to catch all of the zest. Discard the zest.
If making your own simple syrup, combine the sugar with 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
Combine 3/4 cup of the simple syrup (or more, if desired) with the infused vodka. Store in an airtight bottle in the freezer for up to 6 months. Makes about 3 cups.