Limoncello (lemon liqueur)
10 servings
90 minutes
Limoncello is a sunny liqueur from southern Italy, especially popular in the Campania region. Its bright citrus aroma and fresh, sweet-tart taste make it an ideal conclusion to a meal. The liqueur is made by infusing lemon zest in alcohol, extracting all the essential oils that give the drink its unique flavor. Then sugar syrup is added to soften the strength and enhance the sweetness of the citrus notes. Limoncello is traditionally served chilled in small glasses, enjoyed for its thick texture and refreshing coolness. This liqueur can be used not only as a standalone drink but also as an ingredient for cocktails and desserts. It embodies Italian gastronomic culture — warm, bright, and rich like a summer day on the Mediterranean coast.
1
Thoroughly wash and dry the lemons.
- Lemon: 7 pieces
2
Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zest from the lemons into a prepared container. It is very important to only cut the top yellow layer of the lemon peel, as it contains the essential oils that give flavor and aroma to the drink, while the white part of the zest will be bitter. Choose the number of lemons based on size to get 120-150 grams of zest. Lemons can be stored in an airtight bag to later add with syrup to the infusion.
- Lemon: 7 pieces
3
Pour 500 ml of alcohol (vodka) over the zest and seal tightly. Mark the date on the jar to remember, and leave it in a dark, cool place, shaking it every day.
- Lemon: 7 pieces
- Drinking alcohol: 500 ml
4
After 5-10 days, depending on the situation, prepare the sugar syrup. For this, pour sugar into water and place it on low heat.
- Sugar: 500 g
- Water: 650 ml
5
Slowly stir the syrup with a spoon until the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat, and cool to room temperature.
6
Open the jar of prepared infusion and strain it through a sieve.
7
To prevent the alcohol from evaporating, pour the strained tincture into the syrup and mix well.
- Drinking alcohol: 500 ml
- Sugar: 500 g
- Water: 650 ml
8
Pour into bottles using a funnel and let it steep for another 5 days. You can also add juice from preserved lemons.
- Lemon: 7 pieces
9
After 5 days, the prepared drink can be placed in the freezer. In about a day, it will cool to the desired temperature.