Limoncello Liqueur

Limoncello Liqueur

MAKES ABOUT 3 1/2 CUPS
The perfect DIY gift, this Limoncello recipe is sweet and smooth with a burst of intense lemon flavor.

Ingredients

  • 10 Santa Teresa Feminello lemons
  • 1 (750 ml) bottle vodka
  • 3 cups granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Rinse and dry lemons. Remove outer yellow skin with a microplane zester or vegetable peeler. Try to remove as little pith as possible. Collect peels on a piece of parchment or wax paper.

Cook Tips

Add zest to vodka: Make a funnel with paper and tap or gently scrape zest into bottle of vodka. Alternatively, pour vodka into a 2-quart jar and add zest. Cap and set aside to infuse at room temperature 4 days or up to one month. A longer time will produce more lemon flavor.

After vodka is infused, combine sugar and 3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.

Line a funnel with a paper coffee filter. Pour infused vodka through lined funnel into a clean pitcher to remove lemon peel.

Add syrup, 1 cup at a time, until sweetened to your taste. (You might not use all the syrup.)

Transfer limoncello into clean bottles. Seal and refrigerate or freeze. Chill at least 3 to 4 hours before drinking. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month or in the freezer for one year.