Homemade Limoncello Liqueur

Make your own Limoncello; it's easy and delicious!

Course Friday Cocktails, lemon, Vodka

Cuisine Italian

Keyword cocktail, homemade, lemons, limoncello, vodka

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 5

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 301kcal

Author Barb

12 organic lemons
1.75 liter bottle of 100-proof vodka divided
2 cups water divided; one for simmering and one ice cold to lower the temp of the heated water
2 cups sugar

Wash the lemons well with soapy water, rinse and dry.
Remove the yellow part of the lemon peel with a sharp peeler being careful to avoid any of bitter white pith. If any pith remains on the back of a strip of peel, scrape it off with a sharp knife.
Put the yellow peels in a jar or bottle, add half of the vodka and seal tightly. Leave the bottle to steep until the peels lose their color, at least 2 weeks.
Combine one cup of the water and all of the sugar in a saucepan and heat on medium high just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add one cup of ice cold water and let the mixture completely cool.
Strain the vodka from the peels. I strain mine by lining a metal strainer with cheesecloth and pouring through both; that will remove the large peels and any smaller particles. Once strained, add the remaining vodka and the syrup.
Put the liqueur in bottles, seal tightly and store another 2 weeks before using.
For drinking straight, store the Limoncello in the freezer.

Prep time does not include the time required to age the finished product.