Homemade limoncello makes for an excellent gift and impressive additions to cocktail parties. Categories Drink, Italian Cuisine, Recipes, Triple Chocolate Biscotti a Sweet Twist on the Classic Italian Biscotti. Once the limoncello has infused and been bottled, it should rest for another 30 days. 4. Pour the limoncello and Prosecco into the glass and give a quick stir. The tradition continues to this very day as modern generations drink it to beat the heat and as a digestive after a meal. Try it out, and you can adjust the sugar amount to make it sweeter or less sweet depending on your preferences. 1-4 cups of sugar, adjust according to taste. If desired, turn this into a cocktail by adding club soda and serving in a rocks or collins glass with ice. Hello! :-). This is especially important since limoncello uses just the peels. Grain alcohol is considered pure alcohol because its 95% alcohol (190 proof). You'll hear limoncello referred to as a digestivo, something to sip and savor while your meal digests. Add one scoop of lemon sorbet per glass, serve, and enjoy. Once the sugar is dissolved, let the mixture cool completely to room temperature (a few hours). Mixture will turn slightly cloudy. Getting too much pith in your limoncello will make it bitter. Traditionally,limoncello is served in small glass or ceramic cups for sipping, like these ceramic glasses made in Sorrento. When I first went looking for an homemade limoncello recipe, I found dozens, some with added cream or sugar. 1.5 Oz. But apparently limoncello goes back further than that, to the times of Pompeii at least, or even further back. Have you made one of our recipes? Let us know in the comments! First, in case you may be unfamiliar with it, what exactly is limoncello? The huge lemons along the coast are sliced and served with salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Add the grain alcohol to the jar. (Keep in mind that the end results may vary to some degree depending on: the kind of sugar you use in the simple syrup, the kind of vodka or grain alcohol used, and the freshness of the lemons.). There are countless numbers of limoncello recipes. Dry them with a paper towel or tea towel (photo 1), Peel the lemons with a vegetable peeler, taking extra care to not leave too much pith (the white part of the lemon skin) on the peel. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the lemons and place them in a large glass jar. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. However, in addition to this being authentic to my experience in Italy, I think there is enough bubbly carbonation in the Prosecco that sparkling water is not necessary. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Massimo was the one to bring limoncello to a global stage and help it gain the popularity it has today. Other sources mention varying stories of fishermen and monks who took their version of limoncello with them during long voyages. Take the syrup off the heat once all sugar dissolves. Your email address will not be published. A refreshing and crisp Italian cocktail made with three simple ingredients. Although available in all sizes, the large was more like HUGE! Dry them with a paper towel or tea towel. Peel lemons with a potato peeler to use only the peel without the white (which is bitter). But if you can only find 75% (151 proof) grain alcohol, that will work too. So I felt more in touch with his side of the family. Try to avoid the pith of the lemon skin. And, it is also a perfect gift to exchange during the holidays. :-). 2019 Soffia Wardy. What to do with all the peeled lemons when you're done? Patience, grasshopper. Traditional limoncello bottles are tall and narrow, and these 12 oz (375 ml) glass bottles I found are perfect for bottling 12 bottles include stoppers and heat-shrink capsules too. Too much pith will make the limoncello bitter. When peeling the lemons, try to not peel the pith (white part) as well. Other recipes do include sparkling water. Tip: The longer you store it during this phase, the more lemony your drink becomes. You now have limoncello! Restaurants will generally offer it to patrons gratis (for free) since it's typically made in-house. a spoon to squeeze out all the juice from the strainer. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. ), youll find homemade limoncello served everywhere throughout Campania and down into Sicily in cities like Naples, Sorrento, Positano, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily. The Origin Story of Italian Liqueur Limoncello. It could have been the alcoholic-lemon beverages, the ocean breeze, or the gorgeous views, but it was more about my dad. In some states or Canadian provinces, its not easy to find grain alcohol, so a non potato vodka can be used instead. For every 750 ml of alcohol, dissolve 355 ml (1.5 cups) of white sugar in 590 ml (2.5 cups) of water, heating the mixture until the sugar dissolves completely. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Because our other passion istravel around the world and meet people to share experiences, in those years we have met manymanypeople that ask us to cook for them and to reveal thesecret of italian cuisines. And remember, once prepared you should leave it to rest into the bottle for at least 1 month, and can remain stored for above a year. A crucial element of the success of this liqueur, lies in the way it is served at the table: cold and frozen !!!!! Limoncello is the sweet liqueur made from the oil essence of citrus fruit skins generally grown in the Mediterranean regions of Italy. The more water you pour, the more diluted your homemade limoncello becomes. This simple day is very special to me that no amount of words will truly articulate my feelings for it. Once the limoncello has infused and been bottled, it should rest for another 30 days. Italian Cherries Aniseed Liqueur CUCCHIARELLA, Torta Caprese Flourless Almond Chocolate Cake, Cookies with Dark Chocolate, Sultanas & Rolled Oat. The lemons were sweeter than their counterparts and they had a very fragrant and appealing yellow zest. Set the simple syrup aside and let it cool overnight. How Limoncello is Made on the Amalfi Coast Video & Recipe , on How Limoncello is Made on the Amalfi Coast Video & Recipe , The Best Balsamic Vinegar in the World is Made in Italy Video , Enough sealable bottles or jars to fill 2 liters of liquid. Pour the simple syrup into the glass jar with the alcohol and stir well. Making a Limoncello Spritz is super easy! Drinking limoncello in Italy is a bucket list item for sure. The difference when using a 151 proof grain alcohol is that the final flavor wont be as strong. Store the mixture for two weeks at room temperature. Add the alcohol to lemon (or orange) skins in glass container. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. You will see that the alcohol will have turned yellow. People would go to her inn to drink her limoncello because it was so good. Store at room temperature for one week to infuse the vodka. Every few days, shake the mixture up a bit so the lemon peels move around (photo 4), Once the 30 days are over, prepare the simple syrup. The restaurant menu listed only these three ingredients limoncello, Prosecco, and sorbet. Seal or cover the glass jar with cellophane and store it in a cool place for 7 days. All you need is lemons, grain alcohol, sugar, water and lots of time! Homemade limoncello is everywhere in Italy, as very few Italians buy theirs from a store. Traditional stories point to the local nobility who served it to their special and honorable guests after dinner. Stir the liquid and use the back of Once the sugar is dissolved, let the mixture cool completely to room temperature (a few hours) (photo 5), Once the simple syrup has cooled, prepare a sieve with a coffee filter or cheese cloth inside. Even the sailors of the day used these new lemons to fight off scurvy and seasickness while at sea. The history of limoncello is crossed by many legends, its invention has always been in fact contested by Sorrento, Amalfi, and Capri people. Combine the infused alcohol with the cooled simple syrup. And now, lets see how to make Limoncello at home! Taste and adjust sugar/water quantity according to your preference. At the end of 4 weeks, remove the skins from the alcohol with a strainer and discard. You can use any bottle when bottling limoncello. There are two main types of grain alcohol brands that Ive come across: Everclear and Clear Spring. The locals will tell you how their sun-kissed land, rich soil, and closeness to the sea are what allows for their prized lemon to thrive and grow to perfection. With the help of a funnel, pour the limoncello into bottles. After one week, make a simple syrup. Sipping wine, limoncello, or any other 'cello is as much a cultural thing in an Italian household (or in my case Italian-American household)as eating Italian food, or sharing the same kitchen towel around the dinner table to wipe your mouth (sorry, I know how this sounds). For making arancello, add clove, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pod at this stage before corking. Wash lemons and carefully brush the peel. Please read mydisclosurefor more info. My Italian limoncello recipe is the result of years of research! You can also use it as a much looked forward to digestive after a meal. But the wait is worth it, because in the end, youll end up with a beautiful, sweet, tart and refreshing liqueur that will transport you straight to the shores of the Amalfi coast (or one can dream anyway!). Even though its served in a shot glass, limoncello is meant to be sipped. It was such a light and refreshing cocktail during that hot summer afternoon. Boil for 15 minutes without stirring, it will become thick and syrupy. Limoncellois the typical liqueur from Campania, and more precisely from the Amalfi coast, made with the zest of lemons from the area. Place bottles or jars in the freezer until very cold and serve in chilled shot or cordial glasses. NOTE: I've seen the ratio of sugar/water vary in several recipes, but I have found this ratio works best. When I made my first batch of limoncello, I made my own gift tags from card stock. Pour the limoncello and Prosecco into a large wineglass (or a desired glass of choice) filled with a few ice cubes. Then enjoy! Most everywhere you travel throughout Italy - especially the Amalfi Coast and Positano in southern Italy where they grow lemons the size of footballs restaurants will serve you limoncello after a delicious meal, to continue the hospitality. Once cooled mix the sugar syrup with the lemon-infused vodka. Too much pith will make the limoncello bitter (photo 2), Add the lemon peels to a large glass jar with a lid. Limoncello is the typical liqueur from Campania, and more precisely from the Amalfi coast, made with the zest of lemons from the area. There is no need to put it in the refrigerator at this point. A Limoncello Spritz is the perfect cocktail that has some subtle sweetness with a bubbly zing of citrus. They are a more recent discovery, most likely introduced by Middle Eastern merchants to the area. Site by Shay Bocks. If you drink it right away, the flavors havent had time to settle. CUCCHIARELLA is a space to share the secrets of the REAL italian cooking. That's it. Leave a Comment. Pour the zest into a jar that is large enough to hold a liter of vodka and pour the vodka over the zest. There are 3 Easy Steps to making homemade limoncello or arancello: 750 ml bottle of Alcohol For large batches using liter bottles, be sure to adjust the ratio of simple syrup accordingly. Bottle, chill and enjoy! Let the alcohol infuse for 30 days. Watch how Limoncello is made in Italy and check out our recipe below. By comparison, a 750ml bottle of limoncello at the liquor store costs $25 or much more. Glass bottles work well, and so does plastic. Fill 2/3 with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Please check your entries and try again. Strain once or twice to remove smaller bits of lemon. You can also make many other variations from several kinds of citrus fruits. Bottle the Limoncello obtained and store in the fridge or freezer. As the story goes, these tradespeople brought their lemons with them when they traded with the locals. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. It is something that nearly every guest that travels with us will take a bottle or two home with them. (photo 7), With the help of a funnel, pour the limoncello into bottles (photo 8), Let the limoncello rest in a cool dry place out of direct light for 30 days (photo 9). Plastic bottles work too. Add one scoop of lemon srobet and garnish with a lemon slice if desired. Avoid digging too deep and peeling the white pith under the skin, trying only for the outer lemon skin. Then bag up the frozen cubes and you've got fresh lemon juice for all your recipes! The lemon skins will release oil for months. Its best to use organic lemons. Organic lemons are not treated and coated with wax. There is no additional cost to you. Make enough simple syrup for the amount of alcohol you are making. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Both will work well in this recipe. Log in. Once the 30 days are over, prepare the simple syrup. Infusion times vary between limoncello recipes. Juice them, pour the juice into ice cube trays, and freeze. Combine the gin, limoncello, lemon juice, and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. And if you put the limoncello in the freezer, it may freeze (a limoncello made using 190 proof grain alcohol wont freeze). TIP: To make Spiced Arancello: Simply add one whole clove, one whole cardamom pod, and one whole cinnamon stick in each bottle of Arancello. But the limoncello and other Italian liqueurs usually appear on the table right after a meal. Arancello (from orange), limecello, pummellocello (pummelo), grapefruitcello or any other 'celloare unique and fun to experiment with once youve made your first batch. Because you need something to digest food, right? They type of grade you find will depend on where you live. We were taking limoncello shots, drinking all sorts of lemon drinks, sharing stories, and eating delicious cuisine. Its quite easy to make the hardest part is waiting for it to be ready! [] you fancy other typical Italian liqueurs? 2. First of all, to prepare an excellent limoncello it is paramount to begin from top quality ingredients.Lemons are the base of this drink, so they must fragrant and tasty, but above all grown naturally and without chemicals. Taste again to adjust flavor. The Amalfi Coast is known for its lemons and limoncello made from the coasts large and juicy lemons. Like mentioned earlier, the 95% alcohol (190 proof) grain alcohol is the best to use for limoncello. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full terms. Once the water is slightly warm, add in the sugar, stir and let it dissolve completely. The longer it steeps, the better it'll taste! It was hard to comprehend that a lemon could grow that big. Italy Guides Slow Travel Tours Food Tours and Experiences Local Food Guides Beer, Wine, and Spirits Travel Contact Us Travel Resources, Veneto, first timers, Italy lakes, Lake Garda, Malcesine, Italy small towns, small towns, beaches, Clam Pass, SWFL, Naples Florida, Naples Pier, Florida, South Florida, Lowdermilk Park, State Parks, Bellissima Bottles, 375ml, Clear - Case of 12. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. ;-). There are three fundamental steps when it comes to making any limoncello recipe: Wash the lemons by scrubbing them with the rough side of a sponge. I remember first tasting Italian limoncello as a young girl at family dinners. The whole process takes two months total, between infusing the alcohol with lemon peels and letting it rest once it has been bottled. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that as an Amazon Associate I receive a profit from eligible purchases. Every few days, shake the mixture up a bit so the lemon peels move around. 5. Fill glass bottles with limoncello. 15 Lemons (use navel or blood oranges for arancello) Fresh, organic, if possible. Use a paring knife Take a look at our Limoncello Recipe or the Nocino Italian Green Walnut []. We are a young couple based in Rome, we come from very traditional italian families, where our mothers, aunts and grandmothers uses to spend most of their time into the kitchen and we both grow up in a world where talking about food is the main topic of each discussion! Aha! Place it over a large bowl and strain the alcohol-lemon peel mixture into the bowl, so that only the liquid collects in the bowl (photo 6), Add the simple syrup to the infused alcohol (it will go slightly cloudy) and stir with a wooden spoon. Cucchiarella 2017-2020 - All rights reserved. 3. Add the alcohol to the jar, containing the zest. One of the most well-known things that are made with sfumato dAmalfi is limoncello. Once the water is slightly warm, add in the sugar, stir and let it dissolve completely. This bitter-sweet liquor is adored around the world. It is only a three-ingredient recipe that involves a simple process that works well at home or in a professional restaurant setting. Limoncello can be stored in bottles (glass or plastic) at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct light. 2. Mexican Spring Rolls with Cilantro Lime Dip. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. It is made with two main ingredients limoncello and Prosecco. Put water and sugar in a small one and heat on the flame without boiling. We decided to create Cucchiarella to spread, in our own way, all that we know about true Italian cuisine and food culture. Garnish as desired with lemon peels, lemon wedges, and mint leaves. Limoncello is always best when served chilled with no ice or any other additives. If you click through and make a qualifying purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. So after a beautiful drive along the Amalfi Coast, we stopped at a restaurant on the beach to get our taste of lemons. 1. They say that on the island of Capri, a lady named Maria Antonia Farace that ran a small inn, was famous for her limoncello (a recipe from her nonna). A Limoncello Spritz is an Italian cocktail that is similar to an Aperol Spritz but with a lemony twist! You can enjoy this cocktail during a hot summer day to cool down or simply any day of the year because its just that darn good. Their innovative farming tactics led to the creation of the now world-famous Amalfi Coast lemons. By the 11th century, local farmers began to cross-cultivate their native oranges with these lemons brought to the area. Mix lemon peels with vodka in a jar/jug (preferably 1-quart). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When making more than one serving, mix the limoncello and Prosecco in a pitcher or large container. Peel lemons to remove outer yellow skin and trim away large sections of pith. My family and I were exploring the Amalfi Coast during our Mediterranean cruise. As the syrup warms up it will thicken, it is normal, turn it so that it does not become brown. Cardamom pods are strong so start with one or two pods to avoid over flavoring. Cover with wrap or airtight lid, and let sit in a cool place for at least 4 weeks. This limoncello recipe is a simple step-by-step guide to making your own limoncello at home! I wish Id seen them on Amazon first. During our trip to the Amalfi Coast this year we were so impressed with the lemons. So, trust me, use just organic lemons between yellow and green with a thick and wrinkled skin. Use your Hashtag, we'd love to see your creation!!! If you've visited Naples, Sorrento, Capri, or the Amalfi Coast, chances are you've already had it. is an Italian-American blog covering Italian culture, news, recipes, and more! This recipe is very easy to make and has only three simple ingredients. A delicious lemon gin martini inspired by the Italian Amalfi coast! I cant wait to make it! Join our mailing list for the latest updates, offers & more. The ease in which you can make -and drink -this yummy concoction makes it a no-brainer to start brewing right now. It was a simple afternoon, but one that I will remember forever. You might find limoncello in Rome, Florence, Tuscany, and possibly in Bologna and other parts of north-central Italy. Size: 2 1/8" x 2 3/4", DII Set of 2 Lemon Themed Dishtowels with Petite Stripe, CERAMICHE D'ARTE PARRINI - Italian Ceramic Pottery Set Tray + Bottle + 6 Cups Limoncello Liqueur Shot Glasses Decorated Lemons Hand Painted Made in ITALY Tuscan, Stolzle 3 Ounce Classic Lead-Free Crystal Grappa Glass, Set of 6. I suggest a 30 day infusion time, but some people infuse for as little as 7 days, or up to 2 months. Place the water in a pot and heat it over low heat. I havent yet tried limecello or grapefruitcello yet, but pummellocello has a soft oh-so-subtle taste.