Description

Sweet homemade limoncello is easier to make than you may think. A great liqueur to drink ice cold or in a fresh Spring Limoncello Spritz!

Ingredients

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Limoncello Liqueur

Zest of 4-6 lemons (preferably Sorrento or Amalfi lemons)
2 cups vodka (500 milliliters)
3/4 cup sugar (150 grams)
3/4 cup water (180 milliliters)

Limoncello Spring Spritz

1 ounce limoncello (2 tablespoons)
1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur (1 tablespoon, I use St. Germain)
1 cup sparkling water
1 ounce lemon juice (optional)

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Instructions

Start by washing and peeling the lemons. Use a vegetable peeler and/or a sharp knife. It is very important to remove as much of the white pith as possible*. The white pith will make it bitter.
Once you've got the lemon peels, add them to a clean glass container that has a tight lid. Cover the lemon peels with vodka. Put the lid on and give it a shake. Store in a cool and dry place for about 30 days.
Shake daily for the first week, then every couple of days for another three weeks - a total of roughly a month. This is to infuse the vodka with as much of the lemon oils as possible.
Then strain it and mix the lemon vodka with simple syrup**. Discard the lemon peels.
To make simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water and stir while the sugar dissolves over low heat. Once dissolved, take it off the heat.
Pour this limoncello mixture into beautiful bottles and leave for another 30 days (for better flavor) in a cool and dry place.
Limoncello Spring Spritz: Add limoncello, elderflower liqueur and lemon juice if using to a large glass filled with ice. Stir to combine. Top with sparkling water, carefully stir it. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint. Enjoy!

Notes

* I peel the lemons, and then I scrape the backside of the lemon peel with a sharp knife to get all of the white pith off. It takes a while, but it makes a difference.

** If you pour warm (not hot) simple syrup over the lemon vodka, it will turn cloudy. Cloudy limoncello is the most common. If you want it clear, wait until the simple syrup has cooled.

Bitter limoncello - if the limoncello still turned out too bitter, try to add up to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the limoncello. Or a pinch of baking soda. Don't overdo it!

For more limoncello cocktails, read the blog post!

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 0 hours
Cook Time: 0 hours
Category: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ounce
Calories: 32
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 0
Fat: 0
Saturated Fat: 0
Unsaturated Fat: 0
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 3.1
Fiber: 0.1
Protein: 0
Cholesterol: 0