Italian Limoncello
A refreshing homemade limoncello with sweet and tangy lemon flavor, perfect for after dinner drinks and special occasions.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 15 pieces lemons Use organic lemons if possible to avoid pesticides.
- 2 bottles 750 ml 100-proof vodka Regular vodka can be used, but 100-proof extracts more flavor.
- 4 cups sugar Experiment with different types of sugar for varied flavor.
- 5 cups water Filtered tap water or distilled water is recommended.
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash the lemons thoroughly to remove any wax or dirt. Use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the yellow skin of the lemons, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Place the lemon peels into a large glass jar. Pour the vodka over the peels, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for about two weeks, shaking it gently every few days.
Making Simple Syrup
- After two weeks, combine 4 cups of sugar and 5 cups of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, then allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
Final Mixing
- Strain the lemon vodka mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large container and discard the lemon peels. Mix in the cooled simple syrup with the strained lemon vodka, then transfer the limoncello into clean bottles, seal them, and store in the freezer.
Notes
Serve limoncello chilled in small glasses. It can also be used in cocktails or drizzled over desserts like ice cream or fruit salad. Store in the freezer for several months for best flavor. Homemade limoncello can typically be kept in the freezer for up to a year due to its high alcohol content.