Gift Ideas Using Lemons

Lovely lemons can become sweet gifts that won't make the recipient sour.

When life gives you lemons, re-gift them. Lemons are not just the garnish for drinks or seafood dishes. These fruits with the bright flavor and sunny color add a flair to homemade gifts. A little time in the kitchen and some decorative packaging can elevate the humble lemon into a gift-worthy food.

Lemon Vodka

Alcohol is an acceptable host gift for dinner parties or the holidays. Give your gift a twist with the flavor of lemon. Drop the yellow portion of the lemon rind -- called the zest – into a fifth (750 milliliter) bottle of vodka. Let it steep for one week before giving it as a gift. Transfer the vodka to a decorative bottle or wrap a bow around it for presentation.

Marmalade

Citrus fruits are not turned into smooth jellies or chunky jams. Marmalades are the condiments often made from citruses. What makes marmalade different from preserves is that marmalade contains the zest from the outside of the fruit. In lemons, this bright yellow rind is not just for holding the juices in the fruit. It contains lemon oil that flavors the marmalade. Don't forget to seed the lemon before making marmalade. Seal the finished marmalade in canning jars that have been processed in a boiling water canner to render the marmalade shelf stable. This condiment makes a refreshing topping for toast, cheesecake or pancakes.

Lemon Sugar

Flavored sugars are sold in gourmet stores, but you can make your own for giving as a gift to someone who likes cooking. To make lemon sugar, peel only the yellow portion off and leave it to dry overnight. Bury the dried lemon zest in 2 cups of granulated sugar and cover for the oils in the lemon zest to infuse the sugar with its flavor. The flavoring will take at least one week, and the lemon zest can be left in the sugar to strengthen the flavor in the sugar. Use the flavored sugar for sweetened recipes including lemon for an extra lemon flavor.

Lemonade Kit

Pack everything needed to make a pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade. Fill a decorative glass pitcher with a dozen fresh lemons, 1 cup of sugar in a resealable bag, a citrus juicer and tie it off with a bright yellow bow around the handle of the pitcher. Attach a card on the handle of the pitcher instructing the recipient to squeeze all the lemons, mix them with the sugar and 6 cups of water and stir to dissolve the sugar.

References

• "Lemons: Growing, Cooking, Crafting"; Kate Chynoweth, et al.; 2003
• "Christmas Sweets: 65 Festive Recipes - Table Decorations - Sweet Gift Ideas"; Georgeanne Brennan, et al.; 2007
• "Christmas Family Gatherings: Recipes and Ideas for Celebrating with People You Love"; Donata Maggipinto, et al.; 2003

Resources

• MyRecipes: Fresh-Squeeze Lemonade Recipe