Description
A luxurious homemade limoncello recipe that captures the essence of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Infuse organic lemon zest with grain alcohol for a vibrant, authentic liqueur that’s smoother and more aromatic than store-bought versions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (8–9) organic lemons
- 1 (750ml) bottle Everclear or high-proof vodka
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup filtered water
Instructions
- Wash and dry lemons. Using a microplane or peeler, zest only the yellow skin, avoiding the white pith.
- Combine zest with Everclear or vodka in a glass jar. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 2–3 weeks, shaking every few days.
- When zest appears pale and liquid is golden, strain through a fine mesh lined with cheesecloth. Discard zest.
- Make simple syrup by dissolving sugar in water over medium heat. Cool completely.
- Mix cooled syrup with lemon-infused alcohol and funnel into sterilized bottles.
- Seal tightly and store in the freezer for 24 hours before serving. Serve chilled in small glasses.
Notes
Use only organic lemons to avoid pesticide residue. Don’t include white pith—it adds bitterness. Store limoncello in the freezer for up to 18 months for best flavor. Adjust sweetness by varying sugar or syrup ratio.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Infusion
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 fl oz
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 12.3g
- Sodium: 2.2mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.02g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15.8g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: limoncello, Italian liqueur, homemade limoncello, lemon drink, digestif