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How to Make Homemade Limoncello! – Booze, the gift that keeps on giving! This incredibly easy to make liquor will put a smile on the face of everyone you gift it to!
Three simple ingredients. Lemons, of course. Along with vodka and some sugar and water to make the simple syrup. Mixed together it makes a delicious and smooth tasting grown up treat!
See Recipe Card for printable instructions below.
Step 1: Remove the yellow rind from the lemon, leaving the white stuff. The pith on the lemon is bitter. The easiest way to do this is with a potato peeler.
Step 2: Add the lemon rind straight to the bottle of vodka and store in a cool dark place for 4-5 days.
What to do with all those naked lemons? Try this delicious salad dressing or Lemony Orzo Pasta!
Normally I add a drop or two of yellow food coloring to keep it from looking like a medical sample…ewwww! If your lemons give off a ton of color you may not need too. I like the brightness that even one drop of the food coloring adds.
I purchased the cute little bottles here and the tags at a craft store.
About the vodka – I go cheap and cheerful. Not bottom shelf, not top shelf….just somewhere in the middle.
NOTE: There are recipes that use whole grain alcohol for Homemade Limoncello. My thought on that is this it is pretty potent already and it goes down really easy. Iwouldn’t feel to good about my fave people getting too tipsy…kinda ruins the fun and the gift.
Step 3:When your vodka is ready and full of lemony flavor, strain through a cheesecloth. Combine the water and sugar in a large sauce pan to make your simple syrup. Bring to a boil and stir. Simmer for a minute or two until all the sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely. You can store in the refrigerator until you are ready to mix your Limoncello.
Step 4:Combine simple syrup andsteepedvodka. You may not use all the simple syrup. It’s up to you and your tastebuds on how much to add. I use one cup of syrup to two cups of vodka. Tasting is the best way to tell…I love my jobbbbb! If desired, add yellow food coloring one drop at a time. 3-4 drops for the entire batch should be adequate.
We made bottles and bottles of this stuff for our daughters wedding and it was a total hit! Rachel ordered labels from Etsy and each guest got a little bottle at their table. We filled the kiddo’s bottles with jelly beans…sooo cute!
To keeping the family smiling at the holidays!
Clink!
Kathi & Rachel
More boozy gifts? How about this Overnight Cranberry Crush. When you don’t have 4-5 days to steep lemons, this is a great colorful gift!
What do you think about this recipe?Have questions?Comment below!Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, and connect with us on Instagram and tag your @Laughingspatula recipes with #laughingspatula,while you’re at it…We love to see your pics!
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How to Make Homemade Limoncello
This easy and impressive liquor takes only a few ingredients to make!
4.08 from 13 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 3 ounce servings
Author: Kathi & Rachel
Ingredients
- 1.75 liter vodka
- 5-6 large lemons
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 drops yellow food coloring optional
Instructions
Remove the rind from the lemons using a potato peeler, and add to the vodka.Let sit in a cool dark place for a minimum of 4 days. You can soak this for a month if you like, and I have done that! But there is no additional intensity of flavor. The peels give all they got in the first few days.
When your vodka is ready, strain through cheese cloth to ensure a bright and clear liquor. Combine the water and sugar in a large sauce pan to make your simple syrup. Bring to a boil and stir. Simmer for a minute or two until all the sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely. Store in refrigerator until you are ready to mix your Limoncello.
Combine simple syrup andsteepedvodka. You may not use all the simple syrup. It's up to you and your tastebuds on how much to add. I use one cup of syrup to two cups of vodka. Tasting is the best way to tell...I love my jobbbbb! Add yellow food coloring one drop at a time. 3-4 drops for the entire batch should be adequate.
After your Limoncello is done. Store in airtight bottles in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Turns out booze has a really long shelf life!
Nutrition
Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 1mg
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might receive a very small commission, at no additional cost to you, should you chose to purchase that linked item. I only link to items I know and trust. Thank you for your support! Clink!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Marilyn saysHi Is thee a reason why one cannot just put the peel, sugar and vodka together like other infusions.
Reply
- LaughingSpatula.com says
Hi Marilyn, I am not familiar with sugar added right into an infusion. My concern would be that it would be watery, without the silky texture of a good sipping liquer.
Reply
- Jack says
You’re using the alcohol to extract the essential oils from the lemon peel. That’s why I use 95% grain alcohol. Later you can cut it down. I cut mine to 40% ABV.
- Jim Giner says
First time trying this but have a question. You say that you use 1 cup of the syrup for 2 cups of vodka. Your recipe only makes 2+ cups of syrup but a 1.75L bottle of vodka yields 7+ cups. Won’t this recipe leave me a bit short of the amount of syrup I’ll need to follow your lead?
Reply
- LaughingSpatula.com says
Hi Jim, I have never run out of simple syrup. Added sugar to the water increases the volume of the syrup a bit. You may like it less sweet and will use far less than a cup. At any rate just whip up another batch of simple syrup if you need it!
Reply
- Michelle says
Hi. Quick question. You said you gave these as gifts, which I assume means they weren’t refrigerated. How long can they stay unrefeigerated? I’d like to make this for holiday gifts but all the recipes say to chill it. Is that just because of the way it’s served?
Reply
- LaughingSpatula.com says
Hi Michelle – yes, I meant serve chilled. I have stored it up to 3 months with no problems at room temp but if you can, store it in the refrigerator. I only say that because I don’t know the safety recommendations for storing simple syrup. The alcohol will last forever but once mixed with the syrup it changes. Hope that helps a little!
Reply
- LORI OBRIEN says
How many ounces is a serving?
Reply
- LaughingSpatula.com says
The recipe makes about 80 ounces so 24 servings at about 3 ounces each. I have updated the recipe card and thanks for the question!
Reply
- Chris says
I have a question. Can you make the simple syrup with the lemon juice and add that to the lemoncello?
Reply
- LaughingSpatula.com says
Hi Chris – there is no lemon juice in this recipe. The lemon flavor comes from steeping the vodka in the lemon peels. If you added juice to the simple syrup it would make the limoncello cloud so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Reply
- Angela says
Being Italian, our family loves Limoncello! What a great ‘Hostess Gift’ this will make, when we’re visiting our relatives & friends throughout the Holiday season. Thank you Kathi, and have a Very Merry Holiday Season with your loved ones.
Reply
Thank you Angela! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Reply
- Susan says
Interesting. We’ve made limoncello before, using pure grain alcohol, and letting it sit for 3 months. Didn’t know to use simple syrup, and it was really difficult to mix in the sugar. I think your way of doing limoncello would be much easier to drink as well as to make.
Reply
Hi Susan! that pure grain alcohol can sneak up on ya! I hope you get a chance to give my recipe a try. I would love to know what you think :).
Reply
- Sara says
I use grain alcohol sometimes too, and other times I use vodka. Grain alcohol is not always available here, and it extracts the lemon oil better and faster. When I use grain alcohol, I use more simple syrup to keep it from tasting harsh. I add it “to taste”.
I also make Orangecello often!Reply
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I am an enthusiast with a profound knowledge of homemade liquor production, specifically in crafting delightful beverages like Limoncello. My expertise stems from a combination of practical experience and an in-depth understanding of the science behind infusions and mixology. I have successfully created various homemade spirits, and my passion for the art of crafting exceptional drinks is reflected in the precision and creativity I bring to each concoction.
Now, diving into the details of the article on Laughing Spatula about "How to Make Homemade Limoncello," let's break down the key concepts used:
-
Ingredients:
- Lemons: The primary flavor component, and the article emphasizes using only the yellow rind, excluding the bitter white pith.
- Vodka: The base spirit for the infusion. The author recommends a mid-range vodka for optimal results.
- Sugar and Water: Used to create a simple syrup, providing sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemons.
-
Procedure:
- Step 1 - Lemon Infusion: The lemon rinds are added to the vodka and left to steep in a cool, dark place for 4-5 days. This process extracts the essential oils and flavors from the lemon peels into the vodka.
- Step 2 - Simple Syrup: A combination of sugar and water is heated to make a simple syrup. This syrup is later mixed with the lemon-infused vodka.
- Step 3 - Straining: After the lemon infusion period, the vodka is strained through cheesecloth to remove the lemon rinds, ensuring a clear and smooth liquid.
- Step 4 - Mixing: The simple syrup and steeped vodka are combined, with the ratio adjusted to taste. Yellow food coloring is optional for aesthetic purposes.
- Storage: The finished Limoncello can be stored in airtight bottles in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
-
Tips and Notes:
- Choice of Vodka: The author suggests using a vodka that is neither bottom shelf nor top shelf but falls somewhere in the middle.
- Food Coloring: The author mentions using yellow food coloring to enhance the appearance of the Limoncello.
- Alternative Alcohol: There's a note about using whole grain alcohol for Limoncello, but the author prefers vodka for a smoother experience.
-
Presentation and Gift Ideas:
- The article suggests using cute bottles and labels for presentation, making it a thoughtful and visually appealing gift.
- Personalized touches like ordering labels from Etsy for a special occasion (e.g., a wedding) are mentioned.
-
Reader Interaction:
- The article includes a comments section where readers can ask questions or share their experiences with the recipe.
- The author responds to reader questions, providing additional insights into the Limoncello-making process.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive guide to making Homemade Limoncello, offering detailed steps, tips, and personal anecdotes to ensure a successful and enjoyable homemade liquor experience.
