Limoncello Moscow Mule Food

LEMON MOSCOW MULE

Steps:

• Add the lemon juice, limoncello, vodka and a few ice cubes to a Moscow mule mug. Top off with ginger beer to fill the glass. Garnish with lemon wheels.
• Grate the zest from the lemons using a Microplane grater, taking care to leave the pith behind. Place the zest in a 3-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over it and stir. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a spot where it won't be disturbed, at room temperature, and let steep 1 week.
• Combine 3 1/2 cups water and the sugar in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Let cool completely, then pour the syrup into the pitcher with the zest and stir. Cover tightly again and let stand for 24 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids. Pour into clean bottles with tight-fitting caps. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 1 month.
• "One Dish at a Time: Delicious Recipes from My Italian-American Childhood and Beyond" by Valerie Bertinelli © Rodale 2012. Provided courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli. All rights reserved.

LIMONCELLO MULE

Steps:

• Combine vodka, limoncello, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Close and shake well (do not add ice to the shaker).
• Fill copper mug or high ball glass with ice. Strain vodka mixture into the glass.
• Top with a splash of ginger beer and garnish with fresh mint.

MOSCOW MULE COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Pour vodka and lime juice into a mug; add ice cubes and ginger beer. Stir to combine.
• Drop a lime wedge into the mug for garnish.