3.4 from 129 votes
Homemade Limoncello
Homemade Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur made by steeping organic lemon peels in vodka to extract fragrant oils, then blending the infusion with a simple syrup for sweetness. The process produces a bright, citrus-flavored spirit with balanced sweetness and alcohol, suitable for serving chilled as a digestif.
Prep Time
20 mins
Infusing
14 d
Total Time
14 d 20 mins
Servings:
3
pints
Calories:
329 kcal
Course:
Cocktails
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 5 lemon organic
- 750 ml vodka
simple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Wash your lemons well. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel in strips. Make sure to get only the yellow part, the white part is bitter. If your peels have some white stuff stuck to them, you can just scrape it off with a small knife.
- Place the lemon zest in a large glass jar or airtight container and pour the vodka over it, making sure that all the zest is submerged. Cover the container with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, or up to a month, shaking the container once a day. Note: you can use several smaller jars if you prefer.
- After two weeks, strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, discarding the lemon zest.
- In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool to room temperature and then add the syrup to the infused vodka and stir to combine. You can adjust the amount of syrup for a stronger or more mellow result.
- Transfer the limoncello to clean glass bottles with tight-fitting lids and store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Only use the yellow part of lemon peels to avoid bitterness; scrape off any white pith that remains.
- Store the infused vodka in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks to extract full lemon flavor, shaking daily if possible.
- Avoid heating high-proof alcohol in devices like Instant Pots due to fire risk; infuse traditionally at room temperature.
- Adjust the amount of simple syrup added to make the limoncello stronger or sweeter according to your taste.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
329kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
0.2g
(0%)
Fat
0.1g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.004g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.01g
(0%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.001g
(0%)
Sodium
4mg
(0%)
Potassium
19mg
(0%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
34g
(68%)
Vitamin A
5IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
14mg
(16%)
Calcium
16mg
(2%)
Iron
0.1mg
(1%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3 pints
Amount Per Serving
Calories 329
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 329kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 0.2g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.004g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Sodium | 4mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 19mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 34g | 68% |
| Vitamin A | 5IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.1mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.