Homemade Limoncello is so easy and delicious, you'll want to do what I do, which is start a new batch as soon as the first batch is finished! One of our favorite homemade liqueurs! Makes a great gift!
Homemade Limoncello
Sometimes when I make a homemade liqueur, I like it, I use it in cocktails and then I don't make it again.
There is one liqueur that I make all the time and that is limoncello. It is so delicious and so easy.
It is one the most versatile liqueurs that you can make. It can be both the sweet and the citrus component of a cocktail. Use it in place of simple syrup or lemon juice for a quick and easy change up. It's also great added to lemonade for a little bit of a kick. I like it stirred into a gin and tonic. It's also great just to sip.
Also, it makes an amazing gift for your cocktail loving friends!
Ingredients to Make Homemade Limoncello
- Vodka - use your favorite, a nice mid-range vodka will work.
- Lemons - since you are using the peels, this is the time to buy organic lemons.
- Sugar - granulated white sugar.
- Water - not pictured.
How to Make Homemade DIY Limoncello
Step 1 - place 3 cups of vodka into a large glass jar. I use a mason jar.
Step 2 - using a sharp vegetable peeler, zest the lemons. Try not to get the white pith, this will make your limoncello bitter.
Step 3 - juice the lemons. I use a commercial citrus press because we go through a lot of lemons and limes. When I'm only juicing one or two, I use a smaller citrus press.
Step 4 - The easy part where time does the work. Store your jar with the vodka and peels in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks. Shaking it daily or whenever you remember. Take the jar of lemon juice and store it in the freezer.
Step 5 - Take your lemon juice out of the freezer to thaw. Make a simple syrup by combining two cups water and two cups sugar in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. Get your lovely lemon vodka from wherever you were keeping it.
Step 6 - Using a large strainer and large bowl, strain out the lemon peels. Stop and admire your gorgeous lemon vodka!
Step 7 - Pour the strained vodka back into the jar. Add the simple syrup and the lemon juice. Place it back in your cool dark place and let it continue to age for 6 weeks.
Note - sometimes I can wait the final 6 weeks and sometimes I can't. The final aging mellows it and deepens the flavor, but you can really start using it any time you want!
Homemade Liqueurs
Now, I usually have a few people who tell me this isn't real limoncello. That there are all kinds of other things involved in making a real limoncello. I'm okay with that. I like making homemade liqueurs - it's fun. I like the way the way they taste, I like the process of watching and tasting along the way.
More Delicious Homemade Liqueurs that Make Great Gifts
Winter Solstice Brew - this orange and spiced brandy is the most popular post on my blog, for a good reason!
Ginger Liqueur - one of my favorites, especially when you see how expensive that bottle of ginger liqueur is at the liquor store!
Cranberry Liqueur - delicious and such a gorgeous color.
Cherry Liqueur - deep red color and oh so delicious!
Orange Liqueur - our secret ingredient for the best margaritas!
For even more, follow my Infusions Recipes Board on Pinterest!
Homemade Limoncello
Ingredients
- 8 lemons preferably organic
- 3 cups vodka
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
Instructions
- Zest the lemons and place the zest in a clean jar big enough to hold 8 cups of liquid.
- Juice the lemons and place the juice in a freezer safe jar or plastic ziplock bag and store in the freezer.
- Pour the vodka over the lemon jest in the jar. Close the jar and store in a cool dark place, shaking it daily.
- After two weeks, strain and discard the zest and pour the vodka back in the jar. Make a simple syrup by combing the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the simple syrup in the jar with the vodka. Thaw the lemon juice and add it to the jar. Return to a cool dark place and let it mellow for about 6 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2019.
Candi Siders says
Can you keep the finish Lemoncello in the freezer?
Pam Greer says
Definitely! That's my favorite place to keep it!
Patti says
I’ve had Limoncello in Italy and it is divine! It is so expenive here for a little jar My question is, why must you freeze the squeezed lemon juice? What does this do ?
Thank you!
Pam Greer says
You freeze the lemon juice so that you still have it when you are ready to add it back to the limoncello. If you don't freeze it, you would have to squeeze new lemons to get fresh juice when you're ready to add it to the limoncello.
Alison says
I love limoncello. It reminds of my first visit to Capri when I picked up a bottle of exotic limoncello to take home. I didn't realize it was so easy to make at home. I'm going to give this a try!
Pam Greer says
Oh, I wish I was in capri drinking limoncello!
Suzy says
I am so excited about this recipe! i always wanted to try limoncello and now I can make it at home!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Caitlyn Erhardt says
This looks so tasty! I have never tried making my own before and now I really want to!
Jordin says
This looks great and so refreshing! I need to try out!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Catherine says
Love your step-by-step photos! Limoncello is one of my favorites but I've never made my own. I'd love to give this a try...fresh limoncello is heavenly!
Pam Greer says
Yes, you need to try it!!
Helen says
You don't say when to add the lemon juice that is frozen in the Ziploc bag. Also can the cool dark place be the refrigerator? This recipe sounds very good. I enjoy a good lemon drop martini. I can imagine sipping on a glass of homemade limoncello! 🙂
Pam Greer says
I can't believe I left that off! You add the lemon juice when you add the simple syrup. I'm sure the refrigerator would work, it might take a little bit longer than when stored at room temperature.
April J Harris says
Your Limoncello looks amazing, Pam! I love the amount of lemon in it for flavour - and for health reasons too of course 😉 Seriously, this would make such a nice gift! Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Cheryl Crotty says
Hi Pam...this was really interesting because I also make limoncello and our recipes are so different...I also liked learning about that lemon peeler. I definitely need to get me one of those...I make the cream limoncello...and my recipe calls for a lot, which i like because at Christmas I bottle it up and give it away....I'll post that recipe soon so you can see the difference. Not matter how it's made, it is really good.
Cheers..
Pam Greer says
Oh, yes, I would love to see your recipe!
Laura Dembowski says
I love making things like this! Homemade limoncello sounds wonderfully flavorful!
Sippitysup says
I've also made several batches of lemoncello and am always amazed at the further depth of flavor from the storebought stuff. GREG
Meagan @ The F&B Department says
After trying the overly sweetened, viscous store-bought Limoncello, I was convinced I would never be a fan of the stuff. Once I tried homemade Limoncello, I had the "Oh, this is what it's supposed to taste like!" moment. This is a great recipe. Thanks for sharing it!
Pam Greer says
I know, it tastes completely different, doesn't it?!
Marjie says
I have a Pampered Chef zester which I just love! Lemon zest makes everything look so festive. I remember you writing about your limoncello before; it's good to know you're sticking with your traditions.