Limoncello Recipe

Learn to make homemade Limoncello using just three ingredients: vodka, sugar and lemon peels. It's easier than you think!

Course cocktail

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Homemade Limoncello, Limoncello, Limoncello Recipe, Making Limoncello

Prep Time 30

Infusing Time 4

Servings servings

Calories 232kcal

Peel lemons: The first step is to peel your 10 lemons. Try to get the outer skin without very much pith (the white part inside the skin). If you have a lot of pith, scrap it off using a paring knife before infusing. A little bit of white pith is fine, but remove anything solid white and thick.
Cover the peels with Sugar and Vodka: The next step is to cover the peels with sugar and vodka. Then you will cover it and store it in a cool dark place (away from direct sunlight).
Stir Mixture Once Daily: The sugar will dissolve into the vodka (stir the mixture once a day and it will dissolve quicker). The lemon peels will infuse lemon flavor into the vodka.
Infusing Time: Let your mixture infuse for at least 5 days and up to one month. I let mine infuse for around two weeks and I was really happy with the outcome. With this method you will never have to use heat.
Strain out Lemon Peels: A good strain will help you have the most pure Limoncello. Use a strainer lined with a coffee filter (you could also use a cheese cloth) to double strain the mixture.
Bottle Limoncello: Decant your stained mixture using a funnel into bottles. Label each bottle.
Storage: Once you have completed your homemade Limoncello, store it in the refrigerator for up to one month or the freezer for up to one year (or longer). Limoncello is best served cold.

Use Leftover Lemons - After you peel the 10 lemons you can use the leftover lemons for lemon juice. Make homemade lemonade, pink lemonade or strawberry lemonade. You could even freeze them to use later.
100 Proof Vodka - The higher the proof on the vodka, the more flavor it will extract from the lemon peels. 80 proof vodka also works.
Flavor Variations - You can make flavor variations using different citrus peels mixed with your lemon peels such as orange, grapefruit or lime.
Why Organic Lemons? - Standard lemons (non-organic) are usually coated with wax to help them last longer. Organic lemons will give you the most flavor.
Infused Vodka + Simple Syrup - Some recipes call for infusing only the vodka and lemon peels and combing it with homemade simple syrup. The method we use requires no heat.
Lemon Zest - If you don't have a vegetable peeler you can also zest your lemon peels for infusing. If you do this, take care to strain all the lemon zest out of your finished product.