2-Phase Homemade Limoncello Recipe | Alexandra's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade limoncello last in the refrigerator? ›

Homemade limoncello doesn't last as long as its store-bought counterpart. Stored in an airtight container, it should last in the refrigerator for up to three months or in the freezer for up to one year.

Wash the lemons thoroughly in warm water, and rinse well. Remove the zest (only the zest - the yellow part) from the lemons. Try not to get any of the white pith that's under the yellow zest, because the pith makes the limoncello taste bitter.

How Long to Infuse? Infuse your lemon peels and vodka for at least 4 days or up to a month. Most of the lemon flavor is extracted in those first few days, but you'll also get a stronger, bolder flavor the longer you let it sit.

Sorrento & Sfusato lemons

Limoncello may not be a protected term, but true limoncello liqueurs are only made using the peel of one of two varieties of lemon, Sfusato and Sorrento.

You should generally try to consume limoncello within 2 years of creating or opening it. Limoncello only contains 4 ingredients, 2 of which are preservatives. So, it will never “go bad” like milk would but it does lose its lemon scent and flavor over time.

Limoncello cloudiness comes from what is generally called Louching, where some of the oils that are soluble in alcohol but not in water come out of solution as it is diluted.

I find that two weeks works well using Everclear and my Eureka lemons. A lower proof vodka will mean that you may need an additional week or more to reach maximum lemon flavor. Don't worry about how much time your bottle is sitting out infusing, the high proof liquor will prevent mold from growing.

Variation: Adding Lemon Juice

This will make the finished beverage more cloudy, while at the same time adding a sour note to the sweet, boozy lemon liqueur. The more juice you add, the more sour the finished liquid will become. We couldn't decide which method we liked better—so we did both!

Don't oversteep!

My Recipes tell us that in doing so, the oil trapped in the skins of the lemons will slowly release, infusing the alcohol with the fruit's flavor and vibrant color! After this successful steeping process is when simple syrup is added to the maker's liking to sweeten up the bottle.

Poco's limoncello

Even after it's been used to make the limoncello, the spent lemon zest can still be used in desserts or marmalade in place of regular lemon zest; just remember it will have a hint of alcohol flavouring, too.

What can I do with the lemon peels after making limoncello? ›

If you have extra rinds on your hands from preserving lemons and you've already made vats of limoncello, you can cut those rinds into smaller pieces and stuff them into your jars of preserved lemons for bonus pieces. But enough about the preserved lemons. Today, limoncello enjoys its day in the spotlight.

If the lemon flavor isn't strong enough, cover and let sit another two days. Remove the peels and strain the liquid through an old t-shirt. Bottle and let sit for another two days. After the final two days, it's ready to serve!

D'Amalfi Limoncello Supreme: $44 million

Priced at $44 million, the world's most expensive bottle blows all other spirits out of the water. British designer Stuart Hughes, known for customizing luxury items, crafted the bottle.

It's ensconced in a vessel adorned with three-carat diamonds gracing its neck and an extraordinary 18.5-carat diamond proudly displayed on its front. While the limoncello itself hails from the charming Amalfi Coast, it's the generosity of the adornments that make it quite the expensive alcohol.

Limoncello has about a 30% alcohol content so while it may jump start your digestive enzymes, it will also get you DRUNK.

We explored its lifespan – good news is it lasts longer than most liqueurs due to high alcohol content. However, freshness is key; consume within a year once opened. Serving stored limoncello? Always chilled!

Once a bottle is opened, it will last for several months to a year, depending on how well it is sealed and stored. Limoncello should be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard. It should be stored away from heat and light, which can cause the flavors to degrade and the liqueur to become less potent.

Does one store it in the refrigerator or freezer? Limoncello does not require refrigeration for long-term storage. However, as is the tradition along the Amalfi Coast, we highly recommend chilling Fiore Limoncello either in the refrigerator or preferably in the freezer for several hours prior to serving.

Limoncello is a sweet syrupy liqueur. It's best to store the bottle in the freezer and pour it directly into a glass. Ideally, the glass will also be chilled. The perfect glass is either short-stemmed or a shot glass, this helps to keep the drink cool.