“When life hands you lemons….make……limoncello”
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Bringing Italy Home
Limoncello is a sweet and tangy Italian Lemon Liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy, along the Amalfi coast, and in the region known as the Sorrentine Peninsula. This delightful burst of lemon with a punch is made from the zest of lemons. It is traditionally served chilled at the end of the meal as a digestive. You can enjoy it on its own but also with desserts. Limoncello pairs well with any chocolate-type dessert (citrus and chocolate always go well), such as a pear tart, and can be drizzled over vanilla ice cream. It beautifully compliments classic Italian tiramisu. That said, you will often observe people enjoying a chilled glass of limoncello midafternoon as it makes a lovely aperitif. Hence, there is no wrong time to enjoy this intriguing drink.
Though grabbing some at the store is easier for those who like to have fun in the kitchen, our homemade limoncello recipe will be fun to make. It is an easy recipe with few ingredients. The most crucial part is your lemons need to be organic, so visit your local Whole Foods or other organic markets. Homemade versions make unique and personal gifts, too. Find a cool container for the limoncello, add two small liquor glasses, and you have an elegant gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Or plan ahead and serve it to cap off your gourmet dinner.
One aspect of making the homemade limoncello recipe is that you need a bit of patience. Usually, it is about a 28-35 day process from start to finish. The longer it sits, the better. Wait it out, though; it will be worth it.
Want to learn more about the history of Limoncello? Check out our post on Limoncello, one of our Libations of the World
Homemade Limoncello
Equipment
- Peeler or microplane zester. (I used a Le Creuset swivel peeler, as seen in the pic, that worked beautifully. They run about $14 directly from Le Creuset)
- 2 One quart mason jars or a One 1 1/2 quart mason jar
- Bottles of any size to place limoncello in, mason jars can be used
Ingredients
- 9 Organic Lemons Unwaxed and Untreated Found in organic markets
- 1 Quart Everclear (100% Vodka can be used but not encouraged)
- 1.5 Quarts plus 4 ounces of Water If you live in an area with chlorinated and/or fluorinated water it may be best to use bottled water.
- 3 1/2 Cups White sugar
Instructions
Step One
- Peel the 9 organic lemons. Only use the skin and not the white pith. A Microplane zester or a excellent quality swivel peeler works well.
- Place the lemon skins in a large jar (mason jars work well) and add alcohol. Seal the jar and allow it to sit for two to three weeks, preferably in a cool place, until it is a bold yellow.
Step two
- Bring 1.5 quarts of water to boil and add the 3 1/2 cups of sugar.
- When the water cools, add the alcohol-soaked with the lemon rinds. Use a strainer to keep the lemon rings out of the water sugar mixture.
- Swirl 4 ounces of water in the jar to capture the remaining lemon mix
- Add the 4 ounces to the sugar mix
Step Three
- Fill your chosen bottles with Limoncello and seal.
- Let stand for two weeks before drinking
Notes
Nutrition
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Considering an Italian adventure? Check out our Italy Travel Guide or Italy’s Official Tourism Page
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