The Danny Devito

Near the top of the list of "Things I've wanted to do for well over a year but haven't gotten around to" - Infusing. Combining the flavor of herbs, spices or fruit with super cheap liquor to create your own original spirit could not be simpler and the payoff is well worth the time invested. The hardest part... waiting to enjoy your custom concoction.

First up this summer, Blueberry Limoncello. I originally intended to just go with plain limoncello, but a trip to Southern Illinois has provided a slew of blueberries to add to the mix. For those who want to play at home, here are the specifics:

8 organic lemons
1 cup organic blueberries
1 quart (950 milliliters) grain alcohol
1 3/4 cups of sugar
1 quart (950 milliliters) bottled still water

First off, it's key to get organic fruits. Especially the lemons. Non-organic lemons have waxy coats of various chemicals sprayed onto them to extend their shelf life. This wax will keep the oils from the peel from melding with the alcohol. You'll just end up with waxy, chemically infused grain alcohol. So go organic!!

Secondly, although i'm using grain alcohol, down the road i'll be using vodka for infusing. So a heads up now, BUY CHEAP VODKA. You'll also want to pick up a Brita filter. Pouring a bottle of Crystal Palace through a Brita filter 3 times will basically turn it into Ketel One. A nice trick to know regardless if you are infusing with vodka or not!!

Now down to business. Peel the lemons, leaving a little white attached to the peel. Reserve the lemons for other uses (in my case, i made some rather amazing lemonade). Put the peels and the blueberries into a large, tight closing, glass vessel along with the grain alcohol and place it in a cool, dry place for one week. Gently shake a couple of times a day. On day five, prepare a syrup of the sugar and hot water, making sure the water never quite boils. Stir and simmer 5 minutes, then after the sugar has dissolved, allow the syrup to cool. Strain the blueberry/lemon-scented alchol through gauze or a strainer, discard the lemon peels and blueberries, and mix the alcohol into the syrup. Shake well before bottling. Let the limoncello sit for 2 or 3 days. Serve it cold!!

6 more days to wait....