Limoncello Recipe

A deliciously refreshing Italian lemon liquor -- this is a great after-dinner "digestif" in the summertime (or any time)!


For every two 750ml bottles of product you'll need:

6 lemons, cleaned and scrubbed
1 750ml glass bottle 190 proof grain alcohol (e.g., Everclear)
1 Quart mason jar (with lid), sanitized in dishwasher
1.5 cups of sugar (1-2.5 cups, depending on sweet tooth)
750ml water, preferably spring water (not tap water)
A 2nd clean, empty clear glass 750ml bottle
Vegetable peeler and/or zester
Funnel
Coffee filters
Quart measuring cup

1) Peel/zest the lemons, avoiding the pith (white part). If you get any pith, scrape off with a knife blade. A tiny bit won't kill it, but a lot will make it bitter. Make lemonade with the fruit itself (6 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup lemon juice)

2) Add zest to mason jar, pour in entire bottle of Everclear, close tightly then place in a cool, dark cupboard for 30-40 days. I swirl them every week or so when I think of it. Waiting is the hardest part, but while you're waiting, polish off a 750ml clear bottle of vodka, and wash/save both bottles!

3) After the steeping period, wash the 2 empty bottles. (I sanitize them in the dishwasher)

4) Measure one empty bottle with spring water (I have a water cooler), and bring to a boil in a large sauce pan. Once boiling, add sugar 1 cup at a time and stir to dissolve. Allow to thicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring often.

5) Let the simple syrup (sugar water) cool completely -- move to cool burner and let sit for a couple hours, covered if you have a bug problem.

6) Place funnel over quart measuring cup and measure out 12 ounces simple syrup. Then pour another 12* ounces of the lemony alcohol for 24 ounces. (I filter the alcohol through a coffee filter placed in the funnel)

7) Use funnel to pour mixture into empty 750ml bottle. Splash a little more spring water in there to fill within an inch or two from the top. Close bottle tightly.

8) Repeat for 2nd bottle. Place first bottle for drinking in freezer, next to your vodka -- the other in a "cool dark place" (I prefer the fridge, or freezer if there's room). Let it sit at least overnight before drinking to chill; it should last a good long while (years).


9) You'll likely have some simple syrup and alcohol left over, so measure equally for an early tasting. It'll likely be strong still! I poured this leftover into what I had left from the previous batch and returned to freezer.

*If 90+ proof is too strong (it isn't for me), what I've been doing is taking a couple strong shots myself before serving it to others, then refilling the bottle with cold spring water, until it's nice and smooth. Alternatively, if you have an empty/clean pint bottle, you can use less than 12oz alcohol per 750ml bottle and add more water, and make an extra "pint" (375ml bottle) or so -- I haven't figured out the measurements as a stiff shot never killed anyone.

Keep and serve from the freezer -- it's supposed to be refreshing!


Day 1 - Two jars (double recipe) ready to rest....


....41 days later, 4 bottles (double recipe) of limoncello ready to be chilled




PS - I have to add a special thanks to Mr & Mrs Sicilian Babe for turning me on to this in the first place a few years ago! I was blinded, but now I see

Great, if this is my invitation for lunch/dinner this summer, I gladly accept.

Absolutely!

Cool, I'll bring a bottle of Absolut.

Is 11:00 a.m. too early?

Joking aside, that (recipe) looks delicious.

Yes

BBQ okay?

Baby back ribs would be fine.

Your dad is in Florida now?

I should've said "grilling", but I'm all for trying my hand at (real) BBQ -- been meaning to get a charcoal grill/smoker!

Folks are in NJ for the Summer, as usual...

OK.... take your time visiting your folks. I'll let myself in and start sipping the Limoncello.

Didn't realize you meant tomorrow!

Mr. Babe made some a couple of years ago. You're right, the hardest part is the waiting. Wonderful stuff!

You don't start acting goofy like Danny DeVito do ya?

No, I believe Mr. Babe was blinded.

Thank you for Posting. I have been looking for a recipe so that I can make it!

I thought you were referring to that singer whose claim to "fame" was being (allegedly) the first to hawk his record albums in late-night TV commercials during the mid-1970's.

Never mind...

Signor V.

Fine with me.

Ah Limoncello. I am in fact enjoying that delightful drink as I type: 1 part Limoncello (store bought) and one part Exclusiv Vodka....sleep like a baby. The picture above is me and Mrs MaryCas (the real Mary (Ann) Casarella. July 12, 2003, Sorrento, Italy, the home of Limoncello. The lemons were the size of softballs. That was my first taste of Limoncello. There was a store in Sorrento that sold only Limoncello; I bought a nice bottle and still have it - empty of course. At the Hotel Michaelanglo, were we stayed, the bartender served us Limoncello Cocktails; Limoncello and Champagne. I've been hooked ever since. I will have to try the recipe. Grazie Don Geoff.

Nice!!

I haven't been to Sorrento (tho did a couple weeks touring the Boot many years ago); but regardless, I think you'll enjoy the final result of this recipe (even with "regular" lemons)

I have drunk limoncello in Sorrento and very pleasant it was as well........

Hi,
I made this last year for Christmas presents since like you, I fell in love with it in Italy. I used 2 gallon jars, but could have gone with the one gallon.
Some tips: I used vodka because I could not get grain alcohol like they use in Italy. The lemons over there taste a little different than here because of the soil. If you can get Meyer lemons, those are closer in flavor.
When you are tasting it, it will not seem sweet enough before the soaking process. Don't add more sugar or it will end up tasting like syrup. If you use lemons from the grocery store, they need to be scrubbed to get the wax off.

I bought a Meyer lemon plant last year, and don't see any future in actually getting any fruit from it (even thought it came with one, attached). At least not anytime soon.

Vodka has a taste of its own, so I wouldn't use that for limoncello - but as you said, if that's all you can find, then that's gotta do. At least use 100 proof vodka, and I'd let it steep longer than 40 days probably. Unless you just want to flavor the vodka (as opposed to making limoncello)....

In any event, just started my 4th (last) bottle of my Sleep Medicine -- have another month+ before I have more, so should probably keep rolling with it...

I like Roble, but that recipe is shitty. Check mine, in the first post.