Description
Homemade limoncello showcases Italy’s zesty citrus spirit, capturing summer’s essence in a glass. Lemon-infused alcohol and sugar syrup blend into a smooth, refreshing digestif that transports you to coastal Mediterranean shores.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients (Citrus and Alcohol):
- 10 organic lemons (Amalfi or Sorrento variety)
- 1 liter (33.8 fluid ounces) 95% pure grain alcohol or high-proof vodka
Base Ingredients (Water):
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces or 946 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Meticulously cleanse lemons, using a sharp peeler to extract zest in delicate strips, ensuring no bitter white membrane remains.
- Transfer aromatic peels into a spacious glass container, immersing them completely in high-proof alcohol.
- Hermetically seal the jar and store in a shadowy, cool environment for 10-14 days, allowing citrus essence to permeate the liquid.
- After infusion period, craft a smooth syrup by gently dissolving sugar in simmering water until completely integrated, then allow to cool to room temperature.
- Carefully filter the lemon-saturated alcohol through a fine mesh strainer, removing all solid zest particles.
- Blend the strained citrus-infused spirit with the prepared sugar syrup, creating a harmonious, golden liqueur.
- Pour the limoncello into clean glass bottles, seal tightly, and allow to mellow for one week in the refrigerator.
- Serve the limoncello ice-cold in small glasses, ideally chilled to 35-40°F for optimal refreshment.
Notes
- Select organic, unwaxed lemons with vibrant, fragrant peels to enhance the limoncello’s authentic flavor and aroma.
- Use high-proof, neutral spirits like grain alcohol or vodka with at least 40% alcohol content for optimal extraction of lemon essential oils.
- Remove all white pith carefully with a sharp vegetable peeler to prevent bitter undertones in the final liqueur.
- Store the infusing mixture in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight to maintain the delicate lemon essence and prevent alcohol degradation.
- Experiment with different sugar ratios to adjust sweetness levels, creating a personalized limoncello that suits your taste preferences.
- Chill serving glasses in the freezer before pouring to maintain the liqueur’s refreshing temperature and smooth drinking experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Fermenting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg