Description
This authentic Italian Limoncello recipe offers a refreshing, citrus-infused liqueur made using organic lemons and high-proof alcohol. Perfect for serving chilled as a digestif or in cocktails, this easy step-by-step guide ensures a smooth and flavorful limoncello with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 8 medium to large organic lemons
- 4 cups (1 litre) 95% high proof alcohol (such as Everclear)
- 4 ⅔ cups (1.1 litres) water
- 2.43 lbs (1.1 kg) white sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemon Peels: Wash the lemons thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully remove only the yellow zest of the lemons, avoiding the white pith which can impart bitterness.
- Infuse the Alcohol: Place the lemon peels into a large glass jar or bottle. Pour in the high-proof alcohol to cover the peels completely. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a dark place to infuse for 25 days, allowing the lemon oils to steep into the alcohol.
- Strain the Infusion: After 25 days, strain the lemon peels out using a fine mesh strainer or colander placed over a large bowl. Discard the peels and retain the infused alcohol.
- Prepare the Sugar Syrup: Pour water into a large pot and heat over the stovetop on medium heat. When small bubbles appear around the edges but before boiling, add the sugar.
- Dissolve the Sugar: Stir the mixture continuously with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. After about 2 minutes, turn off the heat but keep stirring for an additional 3 to 5 minutes to ensure the syrup is fully dissolved.
- Combine Syrup and Infused Alcohol: Let the syrup cool to warm temperature, then slowly add the lemon-infused alcohol while stirring continuously for a couple of minutes to mix evenly.
- Bottle and Chill: Allow the limoncello mixture to cool down to room temperature. Using a funnel, carefully pour the limoncello into glass bottles. Seal the bottles securely, refrigerate for a few hours to chill, and then it’s ready to serve.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve chilled limoncello in small shot glasses or use it to make refreshing limoncello spritz cocktails.
Notes
- Be careful to avoid the white pith on lemon peels to prevent bitterness.
- Use high-proof alcohol like Everclear for a clean, strong infusion.
- The longer the infusion period, the more intense the lemon flavor will be; 25 days is optimal.
- Ensure the sugar syrup is fully dissolved before combining with alcohol for smooth texture.
- Store limoncello in the fridge or freezer for the best serving experience.
- This recipe yields enough limoncello to fill multiple bottles, suitable for gifting or large gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (for sugar syrup preparation)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: limoncello, Italian liqueur, lemon liqueur, homemade limoncello, citrus infusion, Everclear, digestif, cocktail ingredient
