Why not try the best homemade limoncello recipe this summer? It’s the perfect drink for sipping on those hot summer nights! Mixed with fresh lemon peels, vodka and simple syrup. This drink will have you dreaming of a trip to Italy!

Summer Sips 

I don’t know about you, but now that summer is officially in full sing I have been in the mood to try new and refreshing drink recipes. Today I am joining 6 of my friends for a Summer Sips blog hop! If you are here from Suzy’s blog, Worthing Court,  welcome! I can’t wait to try her low calorie pomegranate lemonade recipe! Plus, there are 5 more refreshing drinks at the end of my post that you  will also want to try!

The Best Homemade Limoncello Recipe

My mom invited me over a few weeks ago to watch/help her make some homemade limoncello. I honestly had only heard of limoncello from my dad and her, but really didn’t know what it was. And I certainly didn’t know you could make it at home! After a bit of tasting, researching and listening to some amazing stories of my parent’s trips to Italy, I found out that this lemon based drink is one that I wanted to know more about! 

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is a classic Italian lemon liqueur that has a sweet and pleasant flavor. This lovely drink is said to be originally from Southern Italy along the Amalfi Coast. While in Italy you will find that a majority of the restaurants will bring out chilled limoncello for you to sip on after your dinner. It is said to aide in the digestion of your food and clear you palate. It also will help you relax! 🙂 

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?!

How To Serve & Drink Limoncello

Like I mentioned above a few years ago my parents visited Italy and stayed in the cutest bed and breakfast in Cinque Terre. Here is where they discoverd the best homemade limoncello recipe!

Each night when they would come back from dinner there was chilled homemade limoncello (or Limoncino ) waiting for them to sip. They quickly learned that this after dinner drink was quite tasty and well known in Italy!

Even though it is most commonly served in a shot class or cordial glass, this drink is to be sipped and savored, not taken as a quick shot. It can be mostly enjoyed by itself but has been know to be tasty in other cocktails as well, like this limoncello vodka collins recipe from Sincerly, Marie Designs which I plan to try myself.

Limoncello is best if kept in the freezer and served chilled! However, it can be served warm if need be and if so, it is recommended that you add ice to it or serve it in a chilled glass. Honestly though, you can enjoy this drink however you like!

My preference is to enjoy it chilled with a bit of ice under the shade of my aspen trees and next to my potting bench.

How to Make Homemade Limoncello from Scratch

The most common question people wonder is if you can make limoncello from scratch? Why, yes, yes you can!

Making homemade limoncello is actually quite easy once you get the steps down. It is a bit if a process but one that is definitely worth the wait!

Here is how it can be done!

How To Make Homemade Limoncello

• First, gather your supplies. (jars, bottles, lemons, vodka, grater, etc.)
• Make sure you have 20 organic lemons and that you wash them thoroughly.
• Use a grater to zest the lemons making sure not to include any of the white pieces.

• Collect your zest shavings in a bowl and then transfer them to a lidded jar.
• Next, add your entire bottle of vodka. (some recipes call for Everclear but we used vodka)
• Then, secure the lid on your jar and place it in a cool dark place such as your cupboard or basement. Allow mixture to steep for 7-10 days. (The longer the better!)

• Once steeped then strain the zest or peels using a cheese cloth or slotted spoon and discard the zest.
• Combine your sugar and water in a pan and bring it to a boil, stirring, until all of the sugar dissolves and becomes simple syrup.
• Make sure that your sugar mixture (simple syrup) cools, then add it to your vodka mixture.
• Use a funnel and cheese cloth as you transfer your limoncello to your desired storage bottles.
• Keep in the freezer or refrigerator for up to a month. It is best to let it chill for a few days before you serve it.
• Serve chilled and enjoy as you sip slowly!

How Long Does Limoncello Last?

You may be wondering how long this homemade liqueur will it stay fresh? The good news is that homemade limoncello can last up to a month in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer! Some people say it can last up to two years in the freezer but that it can lose it’s lemon scent and flavor.

I highly doubt it will last that long in my freezer!

Sometimes when you make limoncello at home people have noticed that their limoncello looks cloudy. Should it be cloudy? I did some more research and found that normally it should not be cloudy and often the mistake people make while making this at home is adding the simple syrup while it is still warm. But don’t worry, it won’t harm the liqueur!

Yield: 3.79 liters or 1 gallon

The Best Homemade Limoncello Recipe

Print

Make your own homemade limoncello , a classic Italian lemon liqueur, to sip all summer long!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 days

Additional Time 4 days

Total Time 14 days 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 20 Organic Lemons
• 1.5 Liters of Vodka
• 5 1/2 Cups of Water
• 4 Cups of Sugar

Instructions

1. Wash your lemons. Then peel or zest the lemons making sure none of the white part is included.
2. Combine the zest/lemon peels with your entire bottle of vodka in a large jar.
3. Next, secure the lid on your jar and place it in a cool dark place such as your cupboard or basement. Allow mixture to steep for 7-10 days. (The longer the better!)
4. Then strain the zest or peels using a cheese cloth or slotted spoon and discard the zest.
5. Combine your sugar and water in a pan and bring it to a boil, stirring, until all of the sugar dissolves and becomes simple syrup.
6. Make sure that your sugar mixture (simple syrup) cools then add it to your vodka mixture.
7. Use a funnel and cheese cloth as you transfer your limoncello to your desired bottle
8. Keep in the freezer or refrigerator for up to a month.
9. Serve chilled and enjoy as you sip slowly!

Notes

* I used the 1.5 liter Kirkland brand of vodka which yielded a large amount of limoncello. This recipe is perfect if you plan to gift some. You can always cut this in half if you want to make a smaller batch.

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The Best Homemade Limoncello Recipe

Now that you know all about limoncello, including having access to the best homemade limoncello recipe, what are you waiting for?  It’s time to try this perfect summer drink! Let me know if you try it or have tried it before. My goal is to make it to Italy someday and try theirs for myself. Until then, this delicious recipe my mom shared with me will have to do!

The next stop on the Summer Sips blog hop is Jordan from A Blue Nest. She is sharing her delicious strawberry lemonade sangria!

XOXO,

Kelly

*You might also enjoy trying my recipe for the ultimate refreshing summer drink!

Summer Sips Blog Hop

Today I’m joined by some of my blogging friends who are also sharing their delicious summer drink recipes with you! Just click the links below the images to be taken to their post…

 Strawberry Lemonade Sangria /// Low Calorie Arnold Palmer ///  Tajin Mango Margarita

 Double Berry Blended Daiquiri /// Limoncello Vodka Collins /// Low Calorie Pomegranate Lemonade /// Homemade Limoncello

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