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This recipe for this homemade limoncello liqueur requires three simple ingredients and a little bit of time. Make authentic limoncello with fresh lemon peels, sugar, everclear (or vodka). You’ll end up with perfect Italian limoncello that can be put in a spritz or my favorite dessert: limoncello tiramisu.
When life gives you lemons…some say make lemonade. But I say make homemade limoncello! This recipe for limoncello could not be easier. It requires two ingredients and some time. But that’s it! An effervescent limoncello spritz will be yours soon. I love to sip on this with my one pan chicken orzo, pasta al limone, or lobster pasta. Let’s dive in–shall we?
Where is Limoncello From?
Limoncello is from the Amalfi Coast in Italy. There is nothing better than Amalfi Coast Italian lemons. They are fragrant and delicious. And with these lemons, Italians make homemade limoncello and bottle it up to sell. While the store-bought versions are delicious, making it homemade could no be simpler (and cheaper).
Ingredients for Homemade Limoncello
- Vodka or Everclear. Ideally, this will use a grain liquor like Everclear. But I’ve made this with vodka and it was equally as delicious. So I say use either.
- Lemons. I love grabbing for organic lemons when using the peel like in this recipe.
- Sugar. Granulated cane sugar works best for this. I find it has the best flavor.
- Water. Use filtered or bottled spring water for the most ideal flavor.
For the ingredient measurements, please see the recipe index card below!
How to Make Homemade Limoncello
- Peel your lemons and place the peels in a 1-quart mason jar. Save your lemons, squeeze them and use them for my Strawberry Lemonade Sangria or make my Homemade Lemon Curd.
- Measure out the everclear or vodka and pour it over the lemon peels.
- Place the closed mason jar in a dark place (like a kitchen cupboard). Let the lemon peels steep for two to four weeks. I usually give the mason jar a shake about once or twice a week. The liquor will soon take on the gorgeous yellow color from the lemon peels.
- When the limoncello is ready, it’s time to strain it. Discard the lemon peels.
- In a small saucepan, make the simple syrup. Combine the sugar and water together and warm it up until the sugar has dissolved. Let it cool. This usually takes about 10 minutes to cool to room temperature.
- Combine the steeped lemon liquor and the simple syrup mixture. Give it a mix. I find that super large bowls or large measuring cups make it easiest.
- Using a funnel, transfer them to smaller bottles for gifting or storing.
Tips and Tricks
Using Meyer Lemons: I’ve made this using meyer lemons and I find that less sugar is needed. Meyer lemons tend to be sweeter than their regular lemon counterpart. I scaled the recipe down by 1/4 to make a less sweet limoncello.
Leftover Lemon Juice? Make lemonade! And make my Honey Deuce Cocktail. Use the excess lemon juice to make homemade lemon curd. If you have any leftover whole lemons, make some Preserved Lemons.
If your limoncello is cloudy pour the limoncello through a nut bag or a few coffee filters to really get it crystal clear. I used a fine-mesh strainer and it was perfect.
Grain alcohol vs. Vodka: I prefer to use grain alcohol (Everclear), this extracts the flavor from the lemon peels much better than regular vodka. However, I’ve made it both ways, and if you want to use vodka, feel free to do so. It still ends up pretty delicious!
Vodka Type: Look for 80 proof vodka. 100 proof vodka is ideal but it definitely tends to be more expensive than 80 proof. Both will work great!
How to Make a Limoncello Spritz
Like an aperol spritz, limoncello is a few simple ingredients. You’ll need to add 2 ounces of limoncello, about 4 ounces of prosecco and 2 ounces of sparkling water. I usually eyeball each of these measurements. Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy!
More Cozy Drink Recipes
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Watermelon Margaritas
Quick and Easy
Aperol Spritz Recipe
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Horchata
Quick and Easy
Summer Rosé Sangria
If you tried this Homemade Limoncello Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Limoncello
Video
Equipment
- 1 vegetable peeler
- 1 small saucepan
- 4 (6oz or 8oz) bottles ,for storing/gifting
Ingredients
- 750 ml vodka
- 8 lemons
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Peel the lemons and add their skins/zest to a glass container. Pour in the vodka and close to seal. Place it in a cool and dark place for at least two weeks, ideally a month. Every few days give it a shake.
- When the limoncello concentrate is ready, make the syrup. To a medium pot, set over medium heat, add in the sugar and water. Cook until the sugar has dissolved. Transfer to the fridge to chill, at least 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the limoncello, being sure to press down the lemon skins to release any of the limoncello. Discard the skins. Mix together the cooled simple syrup and the limoncello concentrate.
- Transfer them to glass bottles and place labels. I divided them amongst six (6-ounce) bottles.
- To make the spritz, add ice to a glass. Pour some limoncello in the glass along with some sparkling water and enjoy.
Notes
- Using Meyer Lemons: I’ve made this using meyer lemons and I find that less sugar is needed. Meyer lemons tend to be sweeter than their regular lemon counterpart. I scaled the recipe down by 1/4 to make a less sweet limoncello.
- Leftover Lemon Juice? Make lemonade! And make my Strawberry Lemonade Sangria. Use the excess lemon juice to make homemade lemon curd. If you have any leftover whole lemons, make some Preserved Lemons.
- If your limoncello is cloudy pour the limoncello through a nut bag or a few coffee filters to really get it crystal clear. I used a fine-mesh strainer and it was perfect.
- Grain alcohol vs. Vodka: I prefer to use grain alcohol (Everclear), this extracts the flavor from the lemon peels much better than regular vodka. However, I’ve made it both ways, and if you want to use vodka, feel free to do so. It still ends up pretty delicious!
- Vodka Type: Look for 80 proof vodka. 100 proof vodka is ideal but it definitely tends to be more expensive than 80 proof. Both will work great!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I store the finished limoncello in a mason jar instead of those special bottles?
Yes absolutely. Mason jars are totally fine.