Italian Traditions

Limoncello Recipe

Limoncello, everyone's favourite Italian 'amaro'

4.9 (9) 1 min
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Home-made Limoncello Liqueur recipe

Recipe for making limoncello at home in a few easy steps

Ingredients:

  • Lemon 1 
  • Orange 1 
  • Water 0.5 liter
  • Sugar (Granulated) 150 grams
  • Grain alcohol (95%) 0.5 liter

Step 1: Prepare the Limoncello Infusion

  1. Zest Preparation: Finely grate the rinds of lemons and oranges. Discard the fruit.
  2. Infusion: Combine the grated rinds with bay leaves and cloves in a glass bottle. Pour in alcohol (vodka or grain alcohol).
  3. Maceration: Seal the bottle tightly and let it rest for one week in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Step 2: Complete the Limoncello

  1. Make Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add granulated sugar and boil for one minute, or until the sugar has completely dissolved.
  2. Cool and Combine: Let the simple syrup cool completely.
  3. Filter: Strain the infused alcohol through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove the rinds and aromatics.
  4. Blend: Combine the filtered alcohol with the cooled simple syrup in a clean bottle.
  5. Enjoy: Your Limoncello is ready to be enjoyed!

Reviews

4.9 9 reviews

  1. Made it for four generations at the same table and there was nothing left. That does not happen often.

    Tom B.

    Leeds, UK · July 2026

  2. Second attempt was better than the first, mostly because I finally did all the preparation before starting rather than as I went.

    Sanne V.

    Utrecht, Netherlands · May 2026

  3. My partner cooked it while I was working late and it came out well with no experience at all. That says something about the instructions.

    Robert H.

    Seattle, USA · May 2026

  4. We make this every year around the time we usually travel. It has become a small ritual.

    Jessica A.

    Toronto, Canada · March 2026

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