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Home » Recipes » Beverage Recipes

December 10, 2016 · 13 Comments

Homemade Limoncello

Beverage Recipes· Christmas· Holiday Baking & Gifts· Italian

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Limoncello in a bottle close up
A close up of homemade limoncello
Limoncello collage photo

Homemade Limoncello, a lemon flavored liquor, is easy to make at home; though does require a bit of resting time. It also makes a nice hostess gift during the holidays.

Limoncello in a bottle with shot glasses and a lemon.

As I mentioned a few months ago, we visited a farm in Sorrento, Italy this past summer where they made their own mozzarella. Not only did they make their own cheese, but they also made their own Limoncello.

In fact, according to my husband, it was the best he's ever tasted. So we brought home two bottles of it and now...it's gone.

Limoncello and LemonSince our trip, I purchased three different kinds of limoncello at our local liquor store and even though they were all made in Sorrento, none of them tasted like the kind we bought from La Sorgente Farm. I even tried to see if they had a website, but apparently, we're not alone.

I found out through some comments on Trip Advisor that they don't publicize their products to keep demand low. I guess shipping some to NJ would be out of the question. So, I did the next best thing...I made some myself!

Limoncello in a bottle close up

How do you make Homemade Limoncello?

I did a little research online and they all called for the same four ingredients: Grain alcohol or good quality Vodka, lemons, sugar and water.

In a glass bottle or jar that can be sealed airtight, add 1 cup of the grain alcohol or vodka and the lemon zest. Seal the bottle/jar and let sit for 7 days.

On the seventh day, make the simple syrup. In a small saucepan, add the water and sugar. Whisk together until all of the sugar has dissolved.

Remove from heat and let cool.Once cooled, add the syrup to the alcohol and lemon mixture and add the remaining 1 cup of alcohol. Seal the bottle/jar once again and let it sit for another 5 days.

Making homemade Limoncello is REALLY easy to make but you have to be patient because it needs some time to ferment. The end product was a hit and even better when you keep it in the freezer.

Now I can cook with as much Limoncello as I want (YEAH!) because I can just make more! BTW, if you haven't followed me for a while, I LOVE to cook with Limoncello. Some of my favorite recipes include Linguine with Limoncello Asiago Cream Sauce, No Bake Limoncello Pie, and this one we really like in the warm Summer months.

Homemade Limoncello would also make a nice, unique gift for that special someone on your list who has everything during the holidays. I saved my bottle from Sorrento; however, you can find decorative cork bottles on Amazon or in your local craft store.

 

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Limoncello in a bottle with shot glasses

Homemade Limoncello

Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
Homemade limoncello, a lemon flavored liquor, is easy to make at home; though does require a bit of resting time. It also makes a nice hostess gift during the holidays. 
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Resting Time 12 days d
Total Time 12 days d 15 minutes mins
Course Beverages
Cuisine Italian
Servings 3 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 c. Grain Alcohol or Good Quality Vodka
  • 2 Lemons, zest only
  • 1 ¼ c. Water
  • 1 c. Granulated Sugar

Instructions
 

  • In a glass bottle or jar that can be sealed airtight, add 1 cup of the grain alcohol or vodka and the lemon zest. Seal the bottle/jar and let sit for 7 days. 
  • On the seventh day, make the simple syrup. In a small saucepan, add the water and sugar. Whisk together until all of the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cooled, add the syrup to the alcohol and lemon mixture and add the remaining 1 cup of alcohol . Seal the bottle/jar once again and let it sit for another 5 days. 
  • Strain out the lemon zest with a small strainer or cheesecloth. Add the mixture to a decorative bottle.  

Notes

*Allow 12 days from start to finish to make this limoncello. Best when served chilled.
Keyword cocktails, lemon, limoncello
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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A close up of homemade limoncello

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. CHERYL says

    November 04, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Is Everclear considered grain liquor? I would love to try this recipe since it is not a large amount.

    Reply
    • Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

      November 04, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      Yes Everclear is grain. You can use that if a good quality vodka. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    October 16, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    Where did you get the bottles?

    Reply
    • Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

      October 16, 2012 at 5:50 pm

      Those bottles I got at La Sorgente in Sorrento, Italy where I originally purchased the Limoncello

      Reply
  3. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Just linked this up to Foodie Friday over at Baking Bad
    http://bakingbad.com/?p=1003

    Reply
  4. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    December 12, 2011 at 1:13 am

    Thanks Krista, same to you!

    Reply
  5. Krista says

    December 11, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Oh wow! How lovely. What a great idea for this time of year! The perfect hostess gift. Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week, and Merry Christmas!

    Everyday Mom's Meals

    Reply
  6. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    December 11, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Just linked this recipe up to Everyday Mom's Meals Church Supper
    http://everydaymomsmeals.blogspot.com/2011/12/church-supper-20.html

    Reply
  7. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    December 11, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Thanks Love for food! It was beautiful and wished I could spend longer than a few hours there.

    Reply
  8. Loveforfood says

    December 11, 2011 at 10:41 am

    wow! sorrento--- is so so beautiful .i wish to go there one day..

    Reply
  9. Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says

    December 10, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    You're welcome Bridgett! @Jenn~I have some waiting for you in the freezer 😉

    Reply
  10. Jenn says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Oooh baby!! Can't wait to try it!!!

    Reply
  11. Bridgett Nicolace-Bird says

    December 10, 2011 at 10:44 am

    i love limoncello! now that i know how easy it is to make, i am definitely going to try! thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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