Limoncello is the grownup version of enjoying a refreshing glass of lemonade. Making your own homemade Limoncello saves you time and money, but honestly just gives you bragging rights, like of like making homemade blackberry brady.
Limoncello is a sweet Italian liqueur flavored with lemon that you can make right at home. You only need 4 ingredients – lemons, sugar, water, and vodka, to make this refreshing homemade drink!
Making Limoncello can take anywhere from 24 hours to months to produce, depending on the flavor you want.
What is Limoncello?
Limoncello is an Italian lemon flavored liquor. The process to make Limoncello can take anywhere from 24 hours to months, depending on the quality and flavor you desire.
I generally get too anxious watching it sit on the counter for my steeping process to take more than a month, maybe a few days longer depending on my schedule.
How to make Limoncello?
The key to an excellent limoncello is to use only the lemon rind and NOT the pith (white part). Those with a steady hand can use a paring knife, which is much faster.
However I find that using a vegetable peeler is safer for my fingers and my limoncello. It only takes off the very top of the rind, with no need to then carve off the pith.
Next, you steep. Some individuals use grain alcohol, but I prefer vodka. I buy the cheapest I can find because after I flavor and mix it with sugar, the expensive stuff won’t taste the same anyhow.
You can use grain alcohol if you choose. The alcohol will gradually turn a light yellow color as it infuses.
Make sure you store it in an area with no direct sunlight and steady temperatures under 80 degrees. After the alcohol takes on the taste lemon (I usually allow for 2-3 weeks), you drain the zest and mix with homemade simple syrup.
Again, allowing the flavors to marry and mix for at least another week.
Many cocktails can be made with limoncello, but I like mine to be freezing cold and straight up after a summer BBQ (truth be told, I drink it year round).
After peeling 16 something odd lemons- you’ll be left with quite few pieces of fruit. Make sure you plan your week to include many lemon recipes or juice them all and store in an airtight container in fridge.
More lemon recipes:
Chicken Piccata Recipe
Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
Lemon Poke Cake
Homemade Limoncello Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 lemons
- 2 liters vodka or grain alcohol
- 2 pounds sugar
- 12 cups water
- 2 containers with airtight lids plastic or glass will do
Instructions
- Start by peeling all of your lemons with a vegetable peeler, avoiding the pith (white part.) Add to one of your large containers. Pour in 2 liters of alcohol, close tightly and set aside for 2-3 weeks. Store your second container until you reach the next step.
- When you are ready to make and add simple syrup, drain alcohol through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, reserving liquid and discarding lemon zest. Divide mixture, ½ in one container and ½ in the other.
- In a large pot (or two large pots,) combine water and sugar. Stir together over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a low boil and sugar has dissolved. Continue to simmer until mixture has reduced by a 1/4.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Be patient, as adding the mixture if it is too hot will burn off the alcohol, rending your limoncello useless.
- Add sugar water equally to the two containers. Put the lid on tight and store for an additional 1-2 weeks.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Nutrition
I had heard about limoncello but I have never tasted it. It sounds like a really delicious drink. Thank you for the instructions!
I’ve had a dessert with limoncello in it before. It was delicious. I didn’t know it was this easy to make your own!
It tastes really good drizzled over vanilla ice cream 🙂
on my 40th birthday in may i did shots with my siblings for the first time ever. our shot of choice? limoncello.
SO GOOD!
Good choice! Too funny!
It’s getting all lemon-y in here! Good thing I have a bag in the fridge.
I love limoncello. The first time I had it was in Italy. We brought some back with us. It’s a great refresher after a meal!
Whoa, I had no idea that you could make your own Limoncello! Your recipe sounds fantastic!
This reminds me of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. I don’t drink, but that walnut chicken sounds delicious.
I actually use it in recipes as well. After cooking, all the alcohol comes off. Stay tuned for my Limoncello Shrimp Crostini’s!
I would have to skip the drink because I’m pregnant, but it’s the kind of drink I enjoy, when I’m not pregnant.
I have not heard of limoncello. Sounds like a great adult night drink!
Wow, I’ve never heard of this before! I will have to try it!