How to Make Homemade Limoncello

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is a delicious citrus liqueur that originated in Italy.

I was surprised to find that Limoncello is just a combination of simple ingredients, including lemon zest, vodka, sugar, and water.

You only need a few simple tools and about a week to have your own homemade limoncello.

What is Limoncello used for?

In Italy, Limoncello may be served straight at the beginning of the meal or at the end of dinner to help with digestion.

Because of the high alcoholic content is usually served cold in a small cup or shot glass. However, it isn’t meant to be taken in one shot but instead sipped and savored.

In addition, Italians would never dilute the flavor with ice. Therefore, keeping in the freezer and enjoying ice cold is great.

It’s also great served over gelato or cheesecake. Many dessert recipes include limoncello as well.

Cocktails

You will also find many US cocktails, which include limoncello as an ingredient. You can see some of the recipes I found in this post.

Homemade Limoncello Recipe

When you read about the origins of limoncello, you will find that the lemons are picked directly from the trees in Carpi and are not allowed to touch the ground.

Oh well! The best I could do was purchase organic lemons from the grocery store. LOL

I’m sure that a lemon picked fresh from a tree in Italy would make perfect limoncello, but this version isn’t bad if I say so myself.

Limoncello Recipe – Lemon Zest

Begin by washing lemons thoroughly and allowing them to dry.

Then remove the zest from 8-10 lemons with either a vegetable peeler or a lemon zester. I personally found the zester worked best to remove only the yellow zest and leave the white pith. You don’t want to include the white pith part of the peel because it will cause the limoncello to be bitter.

Start Limoncello Recipe Infusion

Begin by sterilizing the container that you are placing the mixture into. I washed the container and then poured boiling water over it as well.

Pour the lemon zest into a glass jar with a sealable lid and add the vodka.

Place the sealed jar in a cool, dark place. Stir the contents daily and wait for 1 to 2 weeks before removing them. I placed mine in the pantry.

What to do with the lemons

Y’all know I’m a waste not kind of girl, and throwing away ten perfectly good lemons was not going to happen.

First, I made a pitcher of The Perfect Fresh Lemonade, which took 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Although it was winter, the lemonade was very tasty.

Next, there was precisely 1/4 cup of lemon juice left over, and that’s how much I will need for a recipe I’m making next week. I placed it in the freezer until I was ready for the lemon juice.

If you don’t have an immediate use for the lemon juice, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, you can transfer it to a freezer bag and use it as needed in recipes.

Be sure to check out this tasty dessert recipe that includes this homemade limoncello and the leftover lemon juice.

Nine Days Later

Okay, I didn’t make it for the whole two weeks. However, I’m thrilled with the recipe.

It was time to stain the infused vodka on day nine, eliminating any lemon zest from the liquid. I used a lemon strainer, but a coffee filter will also work.

Place your stained liquid in a pitcher or container to add the simple syrup.

I’ve read several recipes, and the amount of water and sugar varies. I decided to start with the lowest amount to be cautious.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add 2 cups of sugar until dissolved.

Mix the simple syrup with the infused vodka and taste to test.

I’m so glad I was cautious because my husband and I both felt the limoncello was perfect with this combination.

Time to Fill the Bottles

You will have approximately 32 to 40 ounces of Limoncello, and you will need bottles that have been sterilized and can be sealed.

Use a funnel to fill your bottles.

Limoncello

I choose to use a larger bottle to keep and a couple of small bottles to use as gifts.

You can use creative ways to label your bottles. This is just a cute chalkboard tag.

You can see how to make the Boxwood and Lemon Topiaries here.

I hope you try this recipe. Here is the Frozen Limoncello Tart with Toasted Coconut Recipe using this homemade liqueur.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.