Homemade Limoncello - Quick and Easy Recipe

close up of small glasses of homemade limoncello

5 from 1 vote

Homemade Limoncello - Quick and Easy Recipe

How to make homemade Limoncello that's drinkable instantly! It's bright, refreshing and bursting with fresh lemons, the perfect after dinner drink on summer nights!

Prep Time20

Cook Time2

Total Time22

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: litres

Author: Emily Wyper

Ingredients

8 large unwaxed lemons
1 cup granulated sugar (225g)
1 cup water (240ml)
3 cups good quality vodka (700ml/23.6 fl oz)

Instructions

Put the sugar and water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil until the sugar has completely dissolved. Turn off the heat and set aside.
Peel the lemon skin with a vegetable peeler making sure you don’t remove the white pith which will make the limoncello bitter then juice the 8 lemons through a sieve.
Pour the sugar syrup, lemon juice and vodka into a large 1.5 litre jar and add the lemon peel, stir to combine.
Although the limoncello is drinkable immediately it's best to leave it from 1 week up to 1 month (the longer the peels steep the better it will taste). Leave it in a cool, dark place to develop (no need to refrigerate).
When ready, strain out the peel and transfer the limoncello to a bottle. You can store the limoncello at room temperature or fridge.

Video

Notes

Bottling - add the lemon peel and limoncello into a bottle you can get the peel out of again or that you can recycle.
Serving suggestions - Serve chilled limoncello in small shot glasses to sip on after a meal, it's the perfect summer digestive.
Other ways to use limoncello - you can add limoncello to desserts such as cake frosting, homemade limoncello gelato or even turn it into an Amalfi style spritz with prosecco - perfect for summer!
Limoncello cocktails - check out our delicious summer cocktails using limoncello; Limoncello Martini (Lemon Drop Martini), Limoncello Mojito Cocktail, Sparkling Limoncello Cocktail.

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