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5.0 from 3 votes

Homemade Limoncello

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.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Steeping Time
14 d
Total Time
14 d 13 mins
Servings: 6 (6oz bottles of limoncello)
Calories: 135 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 750 ml vodka
  • 8 lemons
  • 4 cups water
  • 3 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Transfer them to glass bottles and place labels. I divided them amongst six (6-ounce) bottles.
  5. To make the spritz, add ice to a glass. Pour some limoncello in the glass along with some sparkling water and enjoy.

Notes

  • 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 Strawberry Lemonade Sangria. Use the excess lemon juice to make homemade lemon curd. If you have any leftover whole lemons, make some Preserved Lemons.

Nutrition Information

Calories 135kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.1g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g Sodium 78mg (3%) Potassium 50mg (1%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 2IU (0%) Vitamin C 23mg (26%) Calcium 9mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6(6oz bottles of limoncello)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 135

% Daily Value*

Calories 135kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Sodium 78mg 3%
Potassium 50mg 1%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 2IU 0%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.