Homemade Limoncello Recipe
This Homemade Limoncello Recipe is a delicious way to make the popular Italian liqueur at home! Filled with lemon citrus flavor in a sweet and strong cordial. Great for sipping or in an alcoholic cocktail for summer.
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.
Notes
I like to use swing top bottles to store the limoncello.
For a strong batch, use 1 cup sugar and 1 1/3 cups water.
For a weak and sweet batch, use 2 cups sugar and 2.5 cups water.
The final volume will vary slightly with the "angel's share" effect where some sugar liquid may evaporate as it sits based on container used.
Juice your lemons to use for other recipes, or freeze juice for the future!
This limoncello has a long shelf life but tastes best within two years.
You can steep either step as long as you wish, it will not affect the final product negatively if you go longer.