Description
An authentic Italian limoncello recipe that turns simple organic lemons, sugar, water, and alcohol into a smooth, golden liqueur. Capture the essence of the Amalfi Coast right in your own kitchen with this timeless homemade digestif.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds organic lemons (about 8–9 medium-large)
- 1 (750ml) bottle Everclear or 100-proof vodka
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup filtered water
Instructions
- Wash and dry lemons thoroughly. Zest only the yellow skin, avoiding the white pith to prevent bitterness.
- Place lemon zest in a large glass jar and pour in Everclear or vodka. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 2–3 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
- After infusion, strain through a fine mesh lined with cheesecloth. Discard zest.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until dissolved. Let syrup cool completely.
- Mix cooled syrup with lemon-infused alcohol and stir well.
- Funnel into sterilized glass bottles, seal tightly, and store in the freezer for at least 24 hours before serving.
Notes
Use only organic lemons to avoid wax and pesticide residue. Avoid adding hot syrup to alcohol to maintain clarity. Store limoncello in sealed glass bottles in the freezer for up to 1–2 years for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Infusion
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 oz
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 12.3g
- Sodium: 2.2mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.02g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.06g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15.8g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: limoncello, Italian liqueur, homemade limoncello, lemon liqueur, digestif