Editor: Lisa
Zatulovsky

Children eagerly
staking out neighborhood corners with small booths, optimistically
large glass jars, and handwritten signs of fifty-cent lemonade drinks
are beginning to appear as the height of lemonade-stand season
approaches. After a high intensity jog, or outdoor tennis match,
nothing can quite recharge your body like a large glass of ice-cold
lemonade. For young and old, the refreshingly sweet yet tangy drink
reigns as one of summer’s most popular refreshments.

Although you may
have out grown lemonade-stands, Limoncello is the ideal adult
equivalent, used to rejuvenate the palette after a meal. Much like
lemonade, the Italian drink Limoncello has delighted Italians
as one of the summer’s most in-demand drinks, complimenting the
toasty Italian summers. Tracing back to Italy’s southern region,
along the Amalfi Coast, Limoncello is served chilled as an after
dinner refresher.

The trademarked name
requires the liqueur to be made from a specific lemon that is
grown in the Sorrento/Amalfi region, Limoncello has become a staple
among Italians, populating many restaurants and homes. If any other
lemons are used it must be called a similar name but not Limoncello.

The lemon liqueur
consists of alcohol infused lemon peels mixed with sugar. Typically
served in a chilled champagne glass, the welcoming bright yellow
color of the drink mirrors the warmth and happiness of summer.

A limoncello
inspired cocktail can be the perfect drink for a summer get together
with friends. Instead of the standard vodka, replace with champagne
or rum. For a special touch use sugar around the rim of the cocktail
glass. Garnish with lemon peel shavings or add a mint leaf or
raspberries for extra color.

If you have
leftover limoncello in the freezer, incorporate it into a delicious
dessert. Festive and colorful, limoncello liqueur adds a wonderful
zingy flavor that pairs well with sweets. The liqueur can be stirred
into frosting, whipped cream or soaked in cake batter. From
limoncello cookies to cheesecake, just a few teaspoons of the liqueur
can liven up your favorite desserts when baked, making it a fun way
to enjoy the fresh taste of limoncello.