Easy Limoncello Recipe (Authentic Italian)

Passed down through generations of an authentic Italian family and perfected in Sorrento, this traditional limoncello recipe features fragrant Sfusato lemons and slow, time-honored steeping to create a smooth, golden Italian digestif that’s freezer-ready, easy to make at home, and perfect for gifting.

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: authentic Italian limoncello, easy limoncello recipe, limoncello recipe, traditional Italian liqueur

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 10

Steeping Time: 30

Total Time: 30 40

Servings: liters

Calories: 125kcal

Cost: $15

Equipment

1 Glass jar To steep the lemon zest and alcohol
1 Zester To zest the lemons without removing the bitter pith
1 Fine strainer To filter out the lemon zest after steeping
1 Saucepan To heat and dissolve sugar in water for syrup
1 Dark glass bottles For bottling the final limoncello

Ingredients

▢ 10 Sfusato lemons or organic unwaxed lemons Zested only, avoid the white pith
▢ 750 ml High-proof grain alcohol 95% or 190 proof Everclear or similar neutral spirit
▢ 750 ml Water For the simple syrup
▢ 500 g Sugar White granulated sugar

Instructions

Zest All Your Lemons:

Get every bit of yellow off 15 lemons. Use light pressure to avoid the bitter white pith. It takes about 30 minutes total. Save the naked lemons for another use. A sharp zester works much better than cheap ones.

Steep in Alcohol for a Month:

Dump the lemon zest into grain alcohol and seal the jar tightly. Store it in a dark cabinet and wait at least 4 weeks, longer if you have patience. Shake the jar occasionally when you remember. By the third week, it should smell incredible.

Make Simple Syrup and Combine:

Heat 2 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar until the sugar dissolves, then cool the syrup completely. Strain the alcohol to remove the zest pieces, then slowly mix it with the cooled syrup. The mixture will get cloudy at first but will clear up.

Bottle and Age Again:

Pour the limoncello into dark glass bottles and wait another 2 weeks. Store the bottles in the freezer and serve the limoncello ice cold in tiny glasses. Be warned this limoncello hits harder than you expect!

Notes

This authentic limoncello needs time to steep for the best flavor. Once ready, chill it well and serve ice cold. It’s strong, so enjoy responsibly and share as a special homemade gift.

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