Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1.5 liters of vodka (2 750 ml bottles)

15-20 lemons

4-6 vanilla beans

Process:

1.       Remove wax on lemons, discard (hot water and gentle scrubbing should do it).

2.       Zest lemons and add zest to large glass bottle at least 2 liters.

3.       Peel and scrape vanilla beans, add to large glass bottle.

4.       Add vodka.

5.       Allow to sit 15 days or more, in cool dark place.

6.       Dissolve sugar into water, add to bottle.

7.       Allow to sit for at least ten days.

8.       Strain out lemon peel and vanilla bits using cheesecloth or similar device.

9.       Rinse bottle to remove leftover peel and beans

10.   Add mixture back to bottle.

11.   Voila! Mellocello!

This stuff is so popular once you’ve finished one batch you will want to start another.