Sweet lemon vinegar

[Goldcrest]

At a food show last year I bought some amazing lemon, basil, bay and juniper vinegar and I'd love to make something similar.

I've looked up recipes for lemon vinegar, but they all seem to be for vinaigrette-type flavours rather than sweet - does anyone know of a sweet vinegar recipe for either lemons or limes? Thanks.

[Jeanied]

Could you adapt a recipe for raspberry vinegar?

[Goldcrest]

I've had a look at your link (thanks Jeanied) and some others (there's quite a good fruit vinegar page on the WI website, but only soft fruit) and thought about it, but what's not clear to me at all is how much and what parts of the lemon to use.

So do you scrub then zest just the skin, or do you add some juice as well and then how much vinegar, and then how much sugar...... Decisions, decisions

[Jeanied]

I think you are going to have to go by taste to be honest. I would use juice and the zest as well. Use the raspberry vinegar proportions of fruit juice to vinegar and add sugar till it tastes right

[Jeanied]

Lol all my internet searches turn up this thread, Goldcrest

[mothhawk]

I would be inclined to use just the zest of the lemons, I've never seen a recipe that uses the juice. Sugar probably 4oz per pint, (I would use less, because I don't like things too sweet) but it depends how sweet you want it, as Jeanie says do it to your taste, you can always add more sugar if not sweet enough. The same with juniper berries depending how strong you want the flavour. Use them whole, maybe 3 - 4 per pint.

Probably best to simmer the pint of vinegar with the sugar, juniper, bay leaves (1 or 2) and lemon zest for about 5 minutes, let it cool, then put a handful of fresh basil leaves that have been washed and gently patted dry into a sterilised jar or bottle and pour the cooled vinegar over so the leaves are completely covered, and put the top on. Leave it for a couple of weeks to draw out the flavour, then taste to see if you've got it right

[Jeanied]

Ooooh and post the recipe once you have perfected it, Goldcrest - so many great recipes have originated here on the vine

[Goldcrest]

Thanks both - I've got all the ingredients bar the lemons. Let's hope it rains next weekend so I can start experimenting

[Ananke]

Sounds delish. I've never tried making vinegars until now. Starting with an easy chive flower one, the colour is fantastic.

I'd love to hear how yours turns out.