Can You Drink Extract of Lemon?
Lemon extract is a combination of lemon oil and alcohol. Lemon oil is derived from lemon zest, the outermost part of the peel. It is different from regular lemon juice. In cooking and baking recipes, lemon extract and zest can be used interchangeably.
Alcohol Content
Lemon extract can be made at home using lemon peel or lemon oil and vodka. Alcohol content is usually high, around 80 to 90 percent when homemade or purchased. Making it at home is generally more economical than purchasing the small bottles of extract meant for baking.
Significance
Lemon extract contains the highest alcohol content that an underage person can purchase legally, at approximately 84 percent, according to urbandictionary.com.
Consumption
When consumed directly out of the bottle, lemon extract is very potent and will cause a burning sensation in the throat and mouth.
Lemon Oil Effects
While ingestion of food-grade lemon oil is not toxic, it may cause vomiting and headaches, according to floridachemical.com. There are no known severe side effects of consuming lemon zest in small amounts.
Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol in lemon extract will not affect health when used properly in food recipes. Abuse of pure lemon extract, homemade or purchased, can have adverse effects, because the is high.
Tags: alcohol content, Drink Extract, Drink Extract Lemon, Extract Lemon, homemade purchased, lemon extract