Always have some strong and zesty Limoncello liqueur on hand with this homemade recipe.
It appears as though I’ll be spending the upcoming Christmas season here in Los Angeles. With my schedule and girlfriend’s recent surgery, I won’t have to worry about flights and other such travel stresses, but I will miss out on seeing my nephews, siblings, and parents. I’ll miss the cozy fireplaces, mountains of decadent food and drinks, and also just sitting around with my loved ones and watching the kids open gifts.
One of the things that’s also making me go “aww, nuts” is the realization that I’ll not be able to imbibe some of my sister’s very potent homemade holiday liqueurs. One of the joys of visiting with my family is that there’s never a shortage of alcoholic beverages, and my sis and brother-in-law have excellent taste, both in what they purchase and whip up themselves. One of these mouthwatering libations is the powerful and tart limoncello. And when I found some leftover this past summer late one evening at the back of the fridge, I was elated.
This year, however, I’ll have to make do by trying my hand at what my younger sibling is quite the expert at: crafting homemade booze. Thankfully, the recipe below is easy to follow, and with the holidays still a few weeks out, there’s time enough at the moment for me to prepare a few batches ahead of any parties I may be attending. This way, when we go visit a few friends with Yuletide greetings, we can come bearing gifts of limoncello.
What is the best alcohol to use to make limoncello?
Along with some patience and a couple of weeks, you’ll need some high-proof, clear alcohol to make your own limoncello. The ideal choices will be either Everclear, a grain liquor, or an extra-strong vodka, like a 100-proof or higher variety. Brands like Smirnoff, New Amsterdam, and Absolut produce potent vodkas that will work nicely in your limoncello.
Ingredients
- 5 organic lemons unwaxed
- 375 ml high-proof neutral alcohol like a 100-proof vodka
- 2 cups simple syrup
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry your lemons. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest in long strips. Try to get only the yellow part.
- Place all your lemon zest in a large glass jar. Pour the entire 375ml bottle of your chosen alcohol over the zest. Make sure the zest is fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for the infusion. A 2 to 4 week infusion is recommended for the 100-proof vodka. Give the jar a gentle shake once a day. You will see the liquid turn a vibrant yellow as the peels lose their color.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the alcohol infusion through the strainer to remove all the lemon zest. Do not press or squeeze the peels, simply let it drip, then discard the peels. Add the cooled simple syrup to the bowl and stir gently to combine. You may see it instantly turn cloudy, which is normal.
- Using a funnel, transfer the limoncello into your clean glass bottles. Seal the bottles and let the limoncello rest for at least 1 to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
What glassware is used?
You’ll want a resealable and airtight glass bottle to store your prepared limoncello in. Once it is ready, keep it in your fridge so it stays chilled.
What are “unwaxed” lemons?
Unwaxed lemons are ideal for peeling and using the zest from the citrus fruit, as the outside isn’t coated in a preservative wax. Most of the lemons you find at the grocery store are waxed to keep them fresher longer, so keep that in mind when shopping for this recipe.
Cocktails that feature limoncello
Once you’ve successfully produced a bottle or two of your own homemade limoncello, you might be tempted to just sip it on its own. But before you do that, check out a few of these cocktails that feature the strong, citrusy cordial.
- Limoncello Lemon Drop – Each sip of this sweet tipple is a mini trip to Capri.
- Limoncello Martini – Shake up some vodka or gin with your limoncello for a crisp and cold drink.
- Limoncello Spritz – Combine prosecco, club soda, and limoncello together over ice for a tipsy treat.
- Limoncello Bourbon – Smoky, tangy, and perfect at the end of a long day.
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