It's easy to make homemade Limoncello liqueur - all you need is four ingredients and time, with very little hands-on work. Intensely lemony and sweet, a little Limoncello goes a long way!
1bottle(750milliliters)vodka, or another grain alcohol, see Recipe Notes
For the simple syrup
1cup(237grams)water
1cup(200grams)granulated sugar
Instructions
Make the base: Wash the lemons, then cut away the outer rind with a peeler. Try to avoid getting any of the white part (pith). Cut away any pith that ends up on the peels if you cut too deeply.
Transfer the zest to a quart mason jar and pour the vodka over the peels. Seal the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place the jar in a cool, dark place (the back of the pantry is good).
Let the jar sit for 1 to 2 weeks, shaking daily. The longer it sits, the more flavor is infused into the vodka. When the peels lose their color, the infusion is ready.
Strain the limoncello base through a fine mesh strainer, squeezing the zest to get as much of the liquid as possible.
Add the simple syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally as the sugar dissolves. Cool the syrup to room temperature (but on the warm side).
Add the slightly warm simple syrup to the limoncello base and stir until it's combined. The limoncello will be cloudy.
Using a funnel, pour the liqueur into a sealable glass bottle.
Serve chilled and enjoy. Limoncello is intensely lemony and sweet, and a little goes a long way!
Storage instructions: You can store the limoncello in the freezer in a warmer area (like on the door). Alternatively, keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Longer aging means more intense flavors. It should last for up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes
Not to waste anything, you can juice the zested lemons and save it for another use, like a Limoncello Rye Sour cocktail.Use a vodka you like to drink. You can also try infusing a different type of grain alcohol, like gin or bourbon, for a different flavor profile.You can use this infusion technique to make other types of flavored vodkas. Try it with pineapple, grapefruit zest, or cucumbers, for example.