If you love lemons you need to make homemade limoncello ~ this gorgeous Italian lemon liqueur tastes like bottled sunshine!
Let’s dig in to homemade Limoncello!
What is Limoncello?
Limoncello is a vibrant Italian lemon liqueur ~ sweet, zesty, and super refreshing ~ made to be sipped ice cold after a meal.
This homemade limoncello is fabulous, simple, and rustic ~ made just like they do in Italy. Lemon peels are steeped in strong neutral alcohol (like grain alcohol or high-proof vodka) to pull out all the oils and flavor. After steeping, the infused alcohol is strained and mixed with a simple syrup to balance the sharpness with sweetness. Then it’s bottled and stashed in the freezer, ready to be pulled out whenever needed. One sip will transport you to the Italian countryside!
Let’s make it!
Making homemade limoncello is a long-standing tradition along the Amalfi Coast, in Sorrento, and on the island of Capri ~ all famous for their intensely aromatic lemons that grow everywhere. Homemade versions are easy and let the fresh lemon flavor really shine. You don’t need any special equipment ~ just some good lemons, a bottle of vodka, a little sugar and some time.
Limoncello ingredient notes
- organic lemons
- Traditionally Italian Sorrento lemons are used for making limoncello. These lemons are known for their thick and fragrant peels. Here in the US, look for lemons that have thick aromatic peels because that’s what’s going to give your liqueur its flavor. I recommend using organic lemons because the color and flavor will be extracted from those peels, and you don’t want random chemicals in your liqueur.
- Note: I do not recommend Meyer lemons for this recipe, their peels are too thin.
- grain alcohol
- Grain alcohol is a nearly pure, flavorless alcohol distilled from grains ~ it’s extra strong (about 190 proof) and perfect for extracting flavor in homemade infusions like limoncello. A brand like Everclear is a common choice.
- You can use vodka, but it’s best to use a high-quality, neutral-flavored vodka that is at least 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume). The vodka serves as the base for the limoncello, and its neutral flavor allows the lemon zest to shine through.
- Some popular vodka brands that are commonly used for making limoncello include Absolut, Grey Goose, Belvedere, and Ketel One.
- sugar
- a simple syrup made with sugar and water will sweeten and bring out the flavor of your homemade limoncello. You can also use a honey syrup: warm equal parts honey and water together.
Homemade Limoncello step by step
step 1. wash, dry, and peel your lemons
Use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel in strips. Make sure to get only the yellow part, the white part is bitter. If your peels have some white pith stuck to them, you can just scrape it off with a small knife.
step 2. combine the peels with alcohol and let steep
Place the lemon zest in a large glass jar or airtight container and pour your alcohol over it, making sure that all the zest is submerged. Cover the container with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, or up to a month, shaking the container once a day.
step 3. strain the limoncello
After two weeks, taste the mixture. If it’s not as lemony as you’d like, leave it for another week or two and taste again. When it is just right, strain the infusion through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, discarding the lemon zest.
step 4. add sugar
Adding a simple sugar syrup sweetens and brings out the lemon flavor. In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool to room temperature and then add the syrup to the infused vodka and stir to combine. You can adjust the amount of syrup for a stronger or more mellow result.
step 5. bottle and chill
Transfer the limoncello to clean glass bottles or jars and chill or freeze them before serving.
Storing + serving your homemade Limoncello
Homemade limoncello will keep beautifully for a few months in the fridge. The high alcohol acts as a natural preservative, but the flavor is at its brightest in the first few months, so don’t wait too long to enjoy it.
You can also store limoncello in the freezer ~ the alcohol keeps it from freezing solid. Instead, it turns thick and silky, like a citrusy syrup.
In Italy, limoncello is always served after dinner, in tiny glasses or chilled shot glasses. It should be ice cold when you pour it ~ freezing mutes the alcohol burn and lets that pure, bright lemon flavor shine through.
Pro tips for homemade Limoncello
Use the right lemons ~ and treat them right
Always go for organic, unwaxed lemons. Rinse and dry them well. When zesting, skim just the outer yellow ~ any white pith will add bitterness you can’t hide later.
Choose the strongest alcohol you can find
190-proof grain alcohol pulls out more lemon oil, faster and cleaner. If you use lower-proof vodka, know you’ll need a longer steep and your final flavor will be softer.
Timing is flavor
Let your peels steep at least 7–10 days, but no longer than 30. After that, the bitterness starts to creep in.
Don’t skip the syrup step if using honey
If you swap honey for simple syrup, always dilute it first with warm water. Straight honey won’t blend properly and could cloud or thicken the final drink unevenly.
Cloudiness is a badge of honor
When you add syrup and your limoncello clouds up, celebrate it. It’s proof that real lemon oils were extracted ~ commercial limoncello often lacks that richness.
Resting Limoncello transforms it
Freshly bottled limoncello can taste sharp. Let it rest in the fridge or freezer for at least a week before serving. A little patience smooths and deepens the flavor dramatically.
Chill, don’t rush
Always serve limoncello ice-cold ~ straight from the freezer if possible. Cold thickens the texture slightly and tames any heat from the alcohol.
Small batch, better control
Making a smaller batch (say, 750ml alcohol + 5-6 lemons) lets you control flavor better and adjust syrup sweetness to taste.
Taste as you go
Before you bottle, taste. Need a softer edge? Add a splash more syrup. Too sweet? Blend in a little extra alcohol. Homemade limoncello should reflect your ideal balance.
LIMONCELLO RECIPE
Homemade Limoncello
Equipment
- vegetable peeler
- clean jar or jars with lids
- fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 5 organic lemons
- 750 ml grain alcohol or high proof vodka
simple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Wash and dry your lemons really well. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel in wide strips, being careful to get just the yellow part ~ the white pith underneath is bitter and can throw off the flavor. If you see any white clinging to your peels, just scrape it off gently with a small knife.
- Place the lemon peels in a large glass jar or airtight container. Pour the vodka over the peels, making sure they’re fully submerged. Cover the jar tightly and tuck it away in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks ~ up to a month if you want a deeper flavor. (You can use several smaller jars if that’s easier.) Give the jar a good shake once a day to keep everything moving.
- After the infusion time, strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer or a layer of cheesecloth, discarding the peels.
- In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before adding it to the infused vodka. Stir well to combine. (You can play with the amount of syrup depending on whether you want a stronger, drier limoncello or a softer, sweeter one.)
- Pour the finished limoncello into clean glass bottles with tight-fitting lids. Store in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to serve ~ and remember, it’s best ice cold.
Notes
Nutrition
Troubleshooting quick fixes
My limoncello is too bitter
That usually means too much pith made it into the mix. You can soften it by adding a little extra syrup ~ it won’t erase the bitterness completely, but it’ll smooth it out.
My limoncello is too sweet
Blend in a small splash of high-proof alcohol, a tablespoon at a time, until it tastes brighter again. (Go slow ~ you can always add more.)
My limoncello tastes harsh or boozy
It just needs more resting time. Tuck it back into the fridge or freezer for another week. If it’s still sharp after that, a tiny bit more syrup can round it out.
My limoncello isn’t cloudy
No worries! It still tastes great. It just means your alcohol was a little lower-proof, or you filtered it a bit more ~ you’ve made a slightly lighter style.
Limoncello flavor twists
If you want to play with tradition a little, here are some simple ways to put your own stamp on homemade limoncello:
Rosemary Limoncello ~Toss a sprig of fresh rosemary into the jar with your lemon peels. It adds a subtle herbal note that’s incredible with the bright citrus.
Vanilla Limoncello ~ Slip half of a vanilla bean (split lengthwise) into the alcohol while it steeps. It softens the lemon’s sharpness and adds a warm, creamy vibe.
Blood Orange Limoncello ~ Swap half the lemon peels for blood orange peels ~ it gives the drink a stunning sunset color and a deeper, berry-citrus flavor.
Spiced Limoncello ~ Add a few whole cloves or a piece of cinnamon stick to the mix for a cozy, wintery twist. Just be careful ~ spices can get strong fast!
Mint Limoncello ~ Infuse fresh mint leaves into your syrup instead of the alcohol. It gives a cool, refreshing finish without overpowering the lemon.
More Italian recipes to try
- Italian Wedding Risotto
- 11 Italian Recipes Everyone Should Know How to Make
- Paste di Mandorla ~ Sicilian Almond Paste Cookies
- Sicilian Orange Cake
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs
- Cherry Tomato Focaccia
- Rosemary and Olive No Knead Focaccia Bread
- Spaghetti Peperonata with Tuna and Olives
- Chopped Italian Salad Recipe
I haven’t made this yet, but I plan to do so. I wonder why it needs to be refrigerated. I’ve made cherry liquor and I keep it in my liquor cabinet.
It’s a good idea to err on the side of caution with a homemade liqueur and keep it refrigerated.
Can I use Stevia instead of sugar in this drink? Love your recipes . Would appreciate your saying you didn’t think Stevie would work in any ofyour other, recipes as you send them .
Yes, you can sweeten your limoncello however you like. Stevia will work well.
It is better with Everclear grain alcohol than with vodka
It’s a personal choice, but I think a better quality vodka yields a better limoncello. I find everclear to be a bit too intense, but you’re right that everclear does a great job of extracting the lemon flavor.
For clarification: the juices from the lemons are not used in making the lemoncello?
correct.
Hi Sue,
Just finished making Instant Pot Limoncello. It came out well except maybe too sweet. What can I do to decrease the sweetness: Add lemon juice?, add vodka?, add water? Do nothing.?
Love using your recipes especially ‘cause I knew you when.
Ok, now I’m wondering who you are…:) I would add more vodka to lessen the sweetness.
Because I a) am not patient enough to wait 3 weeks b) love using my instant pot whenever possible c) love trying new recipes and d) have friends who introduced us to limoncello, I am going to live on the edge and try it in my IP.
Thanks for sharing!
A little late to the party, but have you done a comparison of the lemon peels cooked with sugar and water to get the flavor, and the alcohol added to that, verses this way with the lemon cooked in the alcohol with simple syrup added? I’m wondering how much difference there is in taste / essence extraction.
I haven’t tried that but maybe another reader will weigh in.
great recipe, I just made it and I had only one problem, I did not have the small mason jar and made it in the 16 oz & one of the jars broke when I lifted it out of the pot. I probably should have waited until it cooled a little more from the Instant Pot. I don’t believe that it could explode or anything. The instant pot is NOT on the fire, and is secure. Thank you for the recipe, it was great and so easy. Can’t wait to try it again !!
Hi, Sue!
I’m about to run out and buy a bottle of vodka for this recipe, I’m so excited to try this! Two quick questions I have for you — what brand of vodka do you recommend and is the alcohol content changed by the heat in the pressure cooker (instant pot) or not? Thank you!
I go for a lower priced vodka Emily, because it really doesn’t matter, the lemon flavor is going to take over anyway. I’m not sure if the alcohol content changes in the pressure cooker, sorry.
Sorry if this has already been asked and answered, but how long does this last after it’s made?
Thanks!
Melissa
If you keep it in the refrigerator it will last for many months, Melissa.