Make this classic Italian liqueur at home with our Homemade Limoncello recipe! Easy to do by infusing lemon peels in vodka.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I fell in LOVE with limoncello (lemoncello) in Italy and found a way to make it at home!
It is a perfect beautiful yellow cordial to use for cocktails, sipping, and recipes.
Now this recipe is very easy but does take some time – at least a month to finish. It would be great to make as a homemade gift for Christmas, a holiday or birthday! We actually gave homemade limoncello out for our wedding!
But be careful – limoncello is STRONG!
What is Limoncello?
Limoncello is a lemon flavor Italian liqueur from the Southern coast of Italy.
It is traditionally served chilled and as an after dinner aperitif beverage.
Making Limoncello
You only need a few simple ingredients to make limoncello, but a lot of time.
A full recipe with quantities and details can be found at the bottom of this post.
First you need to peel lemons. Try to get as little of the white as possible.
Place the lemon peels in vodka and let them soak for at least one week.
You can use glass containers or any pitcher for this. I like to use large ones that can accommodate the sugar water later as well.
At this time, you can make sugar water and add it to the vodka and lemon peels.
Let it sit an additional one week minimum.
At this point you can strain the limoncello and bottle it. I like to keep it in the freezer to keep it nice and cold for drinking!
I prefer to use swing top bottles for storing limoncello. You can also use mason jars. This will make approximately 1.5 liters or 4.5 cups.
Tips
You can make limoncello stronger by using a higher proof vodka or everclear, or reducing the amount of sugar water you add.
Final volume will vary based on the “angel’s share” of what might evaporate from the sugar water while it is steeping, based on container used.
How to Use Limoncello
Limoncello is a fantastic Italian liqueur that you can use in so many ways!
Keep it chilled in the freezer (it will stay in liquid state) and serve as a sipping cordial (or a shot, if you wish)
Use it in place of a cocktail where you would use vodka and the lemon flavor compliments it. Here are some of our favorites!
Strawberry Limoncello Spritz (coming soon!)
FAQs
Everclear is stronger than vodka. Using everclear, vodka, or a combination is a matter of preference. I have made limoncello with half and half before but typically do all vodka as it is easier to get and cheaper.
Homemade limoncello has a very long shelf life. It is best to try and drink it within two years for best flavor.
Using lemon juice in limoncello will make the liquid cloudy and very sour. By only using the peels, we get the citrus flavor from the oils without all the acid.
Yes! Any brand or type of vodka is fine to use when making limoncello.
Cloudy limoncello can happen because of the peels.
More Italian Cocktails
Italian Cocktails
Amalfi Martini Limoncello
Espresso Martini Recipe
Homemade Limoncello Recipe
Equipment
- Peeler
- Measuring Cups
- Medium Pot
- Container or Pitcher for steeping
- Swing Top Bottles for storing
Ingredients
- 8 large lemons, peels only
- 750 ml vodka or everclear, or combination
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Wash and peel your lemons with a peeler. Try to get minimal white pith.
- Place the peels in your pitcher or large jar.
- Add the vodka to the pitcher.
- Place the lid on the jar and let it sit for at least one week. Keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Make the sugar water by combining the water and sugar in a medium pot over Simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Let the sugar water cool to room temperature.
- Add the sugar water to the pitcher with the lemon peels and vodka, and let sit at least another week. Keep out of the sunlight.
- Strain the peels out of the limoncello and bottle in swing top bottles or jars. Limoncello can be stored at room temperature or in the freezer to keep it cool for drinking.