…you make Limoncello!
One of the first trees we planted in our yard when we purchased our house almost 30 years ago was a lemon tree. Although we’ve enjoyed its bounty since then, this was the first year I decided to try my hand at making the sweet, golden elixir called Limoncello.
Just about anything made with lemons gets a “yes, please” from me, but usually they are an ingredient of a savory dish or a dessert. In fact, one of my favorite dinners we’ve made included baked lemon chicken, a green salad with a lemon vinaigrette, and lemon pudding cakes baked in individual ramekins.
YUM!
So, where was I?
Oh, yes, Limoncello.
I have had commercially made Limoncello before, but I never thought to make it myself until a friend gave us a bottle of her home-made brew. Not only was it tasty, but I was excited to learn that it is easy to make. In fact, the hardest part is allowing the lemon peels and vodka enough time to mingle and do their magic before decanting.
If you’ve never tried it, Limoncello is a classic Italian liqueur with a refreshing lemon flavor. It is traditionally served after dinner as it is thought to aid digestion (and, who am I to argue with sound medical advice?). It is typically kept in the freezer and served cold so it’s perfect for summer. It can also be used in dessert recipes, including a delicious-sounding Limoncello and Ricotta Almond Cake (thanks, Widow Badass) I plan to try.
You can find a lot of recipes for Limoncello online, but they are all pretty much the same: organic lemons, vodka, sugar, and water. Recommended vodka proofs vary (most recipes suggest higher proofs), as does the time to infuse the lemon peels in the vodka (as little as four days to as much as three weeks) before mixing with the syrup. The only recommendation I have after making my first batch is: don’t buy the Costco-sized bottle of vodka (1.75 liters vs. the more normal size of 1 liter). I now have so much limoncello that not only will we be enjoying it all summer, but we’ll giving a few bottles away to friends. Not a bad problem to have.
So, What’s on Your Plate (or, in this case, your glass)? Join Donna and Deb for their monthly blog challenge. Link your own food-related post or just read what others have shared.
Retirementally Challenged 
Wow, wow, wow! Thanks for reminding me of the limoncello I have in my drinks cupboard (which I have not touched since I attempted THAT cake – thanks for that reminder too!). Janis, your limoncello looks wonderful. If I ever get through my bottle, I would definitely try making the next bottle on my own. Love those labels you made!
Deb
I really want to make that cake… I even have a springform pan. You can be sure that, if I do, I’ll tell you all about What’s On My Plate 🙂
Your label design is lovely!
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you! I just thought that the bottles needed something extra.
Okay, so not only did you make your own Limoncello, from lemons that you grew in your yard, you also designed the label and bottled this yourself?! You are absolutely my hero!! What time should I come by to pick up my order? 😀
Thank you for joining us at WOYP with this very inspiring post!
Haha! You of course are welcome any time. Just make sure I have enough notice to put one of the bottles in the freezer.
I’ve never had limoncello but I’m guessing I’d love it.
It is so yummy. Just enough lemon and sweet. It’s great over vanilla ice cream.
I love your label! Very eye-catching!
Thank you! It was fun to make.
Limoncello… feels sweet and refreshing indeed. Perhaps I should try it out one of these fine days. From your description it feels exactly the kind of adventure one would love to make. Thanks for sharing, dear Janis. ❤
I think you’d love it. It makes the perfect summer treat.
I’ll definitely give it a try. ❤
Oh…that looks delicious! I love lemon!
It’s perfect for summer, especially when served really cold.
Thanks for sharing and it’s the best
It is so yummy and easy to make.
Coincidently, my brother-in-law arrived home from Italy less than a week ago, and limoncello came up in conversation while I was driving him home from the rental car agency. I have always loved lemons and the exquisite flavor they impart, so I am VERY envious of the lemon tree in your yard. One would definitely not survive in our climate but, somehow, that doesn’t make me any less envious!
We often have lemons year-round but this time of year is the best. Although we share with neighbors, many of them have lemon trees too so we always end up with more than we need. This is a great way to use them.
Your own lemon tree? Now, I’m jealous. 🙂 We enjoyed that tasty drink on a trip to Italy. Matter of fact, we enjoyed it multiple times on that two-week trip. Too much you say, well, I cannot imagine a better gift that a bottle of your very own Limoncello. You’ll probably get requests for refills.
I brought a bottle to book club the other night, which was well-received. Tonight, I’ll bring it to a backyard BBQ. I love being able to share something so tasty.
Wow, that is easy! You made it look so professional too! Yum!
I can’t believe that I waited until my current age before making it – what was I thinking? It’s so easy and so good.
Thank for the introduction of limoncello to my long list of alcoholic beverages! I will try the recipe as soon as I get a hold of some organic lemons.
It’s a nice summer sipping liqueur… also great over vanilla ice cream. Organic is best because you don’t want chemicals or that waxy stuff grocery stores sometimes put on fruits and veggies.
Yum, I’m going to have to try that!!
If you do, let me know how it turns out. Believe me, it’s much easier than that caramelized orange cheesecake 🙂
looks yummy! I’m tempted to give it a try, even as I’m not much of a drinker. A refreshing summer treat.
The nice thing about it is that it’s normally served in small glasses as a sipping liqueur and it’s pretty sweet so you don’t want a lot at one time.
Your limoncello looks yummy. I love your bottle and label.
Thank you! The bottles needed something extra and I wanted to capture the date it was made. I liked the way they turned out.
I first discovered limoncello on Capri. I never even thought about it being possible to make yourself! Hmm – good idea.
As much as I love my homemade limoncello, I’d sure love to sip it on a patio in Capri. That sounds so lovely.
It was!
Excellent project! Some friends came back from Italy raving about Limoncello and since they have a lemon tree, they started production right away. Delicious stuff. What a great gift idea.
This was the first year I tried making it… but it won’t be my last. I’ve never been a big vodka drinker but I do love the lemon flavored version 🙂
It’s also good on vanilla ice cream!
Yes! It’s the perfect addition.
Now you’ve done it. I’ll have Peter, Paul, & Mary singing in my head for the rest of the day. But extra points to you for not featuring (or using) Stolichnaya vodka in your recipe. It looks really good! – Marty
Now you’ve passed the earworm on to me… No Russian vodka was used to make to make my limoncello. In fact, it was made right here in California 🙂
My daughter was recently visiting us in Arizona. She found a lemon tree on one of her walks. She made lemon curd and lemon bars!
Just about anything with lemons in it are good by me. There are a lot of lemon – and other citrus – trees in backyards where I live and a lot of the fruit goes unused, which is too bad.
Ah lemon trees! I love fresh lemons and the chicken supper sounds so good. I don’t do liqueurs as a rule but our son and daughter in law brought us a bottle from the Italian part of their honeymoon. Guess I should give it a try. Like everyone else is I’m impressed with your labels. Bernie
You don’t need to drink a lot to enjoy it. In fact, it’s pretty sweet so it is best to sip it slowly. I hope you enjoy your limoncello!
You got my mouth watering for a refreshing splash of home-brewed limoncello fresh from the freezer, Janis! I’m wondering if you used Canva for your labels? I love that site, even the free version (which I use) is quite comprehensive and user friendly.
Hi Laura. I used PicMonkey for the labels, which is similar to Canva. I struggled a bit with the curved date text at the bottom but made it work. Maybe Canva would have been easier… or maybe it was just operator error 🙂
I love limoncello and made a couple bottles of it several years ago. The only problem…it’s TOO delicious, LOL!! How fun that you made yours from your very own home-grown lemons, and you designed your own beautiful label. Your lemon-themed menu that you mentioned sounds divine. Obviously, I also love lemons, especially Meyer lemons. I’ve been thinking of planting a Meyer lemon here in north Florida, and you might have provided just the inspiration for me to do it!
It is too delicious… but somehow I’ll persevere 🙂 Our older lemon tree is an Eureka but we planted a Meyer last year and are just starting to get fruit. I hope you decide to go ahead and plant your own… and make limoncello!
Hi Janis, we actually have half a bottle in the freezer right now – a gift from a neighbor. He makes a batch once a year and we are always happy recipients! Love the label.
The bottles make great gifts and I haven’t had any returned that weren’t empty 🙂
Lucky you to have a lemon tree! I love anything with lemon, sweet or otherwise. Lemoncello sounds delish and looks so cool for summer.
Mature lemon trees usually have way more fruit than most households can use (even ones that love lemons like ours). Limoncello is a great way to use some of the lemons (at least the peels) and welcome the summer.
Oh, I am also a big fan of anything lemon, but I can’t recall ever trying limoncello. (Just what I need is another favorite alcoholic beverage!) I must try making some. I agree about your lovely labels.
I hope you try it… you’ll be hooked (not in a bad way… it’s way too sweet to drink a lot of it).
I LOVE limoncello but have never tried making it. I’m also loving the sound of that limoncello ricotta cake… how very Italian.
If I make the cake, I’ll report back for sure. Do you have citrus trees where you live?
I have one lemon tree but it hasn’t produced much yet. At the moment it’s full of fruit that hasn’t ripened – all the nutrients were washed away in the rain.
That’s too bad… I hope it survives.
So do I… I gave it a good feed the other day…
I’ve never tried limoncello, but how interesting you made this yourself and I like the labels you designed. Very classy Janis!
Thank you! It seemed like the perfect way to use some of the many lemons on our tree… and it was 🙂
What a great idea! I have tons of lemons and I’ve never thought of making my own limoncello! You’ve really inspired me, Janis. 🙂
I hope you make some… it’s really easy, very tasty, and nice to share with friends.
Impressive Janis, and made from lemons off your own tree. That makes it extra special. I agree with everyone else, the label is a nice touch and makes this a lovely gift. Cheers!
Thank you! I like using our own lemons because I know they haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals. Cheers back atcha!
You are an inspiration. Grow the lemons, make the booze, drink the booze. And the label makes it even better. Cheers!
Haha! It did make for a fun project… especially the sampling the product part (for QC purposes, don’t you know).
I like limoncello but have never tried making my own. I’m impressed that you are!
It’s so easy and now I’m well-stocked for summer get-togethers with friends.
Not being a big fan of lemon, I had never tried limoncello until a few months ago. Much to my surprise, it was wonderful!
I love lemons but even if you aren’t a fan, I imagine the addition of vodka and sugar helps 🙂
Ah memories of the Amalfi Coast come flooding back as I read your post, Janis. Thank you! x
I guess I’ll have to stick with home-made limoncello… until I can taste to real thing again in the country that invented it. One of these days I will return.
Congrats, Janis, you’re officially a Limoncellist 🙂 What a fabulous way to use your lemons and personalize your gifts.
Thanks, Natalie! I will wear my new title proudly!
Nice work! So far we’ve been using all our lemons for cooking, but I can foresee a day when we’ll have huge quantities.
Care to share the lemon pudding cake recipe? It sounds amazing.
I will be happy to share the pudding cake recipe. I found it at onceuponachef.com… just search on “warm lemon pudding cakes” I may try them again and share next month on WOYP.
Clever you. I enjoyed my discovery of this drink years ago. Funnily enough, I now don’t drink alcohol due to Les not being able to. It has lemon in it so sort of healthy and bound to keep the bugs at bay.
Absolutely! Limoncello is really just a medicinal drink.
For sure 😉
I love lemons, too. In fact, lemon cake is a birthday go-to. Never would have thought to make my own Limoncello, though. Thanks for planting the (lemon) seed!
Yum… lemon cake! Funny that such a sour tasting fruit can make such wonderful desserts.
I hesitate to say this, but I’ve never had limoncello! I am truly lacking and will rectify this situation soon. I think Florida summer after dinner time will be a very different experience this year!
I imagine that lemon trees might be as ubiquitous there as they are here. Limencello – either straight or over ice cream – sounds like the perfect way to end a warm summer day.
I never realized it was so easy to make. Thanks for the info. And I love your bottle labels. Perfecto!!
Thank you! Yes, it’s very easy to make and, I imagine, will store unopened for several months.
I love this nod to Italian living as I’m currently dreaming of an Italian holiday in July. I’m very impressed that you have grown your own lemons, made and bottled your limoncello and made fantastic labels. You should set up a limoncello stand!
I love that idea! I could set up a limoncello stand for the parents right next to a lemonade stand for the kids! Have a wonderful time on your trip… I would love to visit Italy again.
Looks like a wonderfully delicious brew! Save me some, just in case we might swing by San Diego in a few weeks…
I will definitely save you a bottle. What a fun way to welcome you back to San Diego.
IF we come to San Diego. Although you are making it more and more appealing. 🙂
Your limoncello looks wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.
As the temps heat up, the limoncello goes into the freezer so it’s ready to sip at a moment’s notice.
A friend of Vince’s gave us a bottle she had made when we lived in CA. It was delicious, very sweet. To think we lived in the lemon capital of CA, once LA grew fewer of them. Woodlake is in a tiny enclave surrounded by foothills, which gives it the micro-climate perfect for growing oranges and lemons. The rest of the county is too cold.
Yum!!! Janis, this looks amazing! I enjoy limoncello and have a little bottle. But to be able to make it sounds lovely! Of course, you live in lemon country, so enjoy it!
It sure is nice to walk out our back door and pick lemons (and oranges and, soon, blueberries). 🙂
I’m not much of a drinker, but I do love anything lemony, including a refreshing cocktail with limoncello. I had no idea it was so easy to make! Off to get some lemons and vodka. Thanks for the recipe!
Haha! You don’t have to be a drinker… just have a sweet tooth and not be a teetotaler to enjoy it. Try it over ice cream for some extra yums and calories 🙂
Oooh that sounds good. A little would be nice in my mojito too. 🙂
Nice work, so refreshing too. I’m impressed that you have your own lemon tree. That is so fun! In Wisconsin, we rarely have fresh enough lemons to buy and slice for lemon water. Cheers to you and your lucky friends who will get a bottle from you too!
I imagine you have some produce that grows where you live that wouldn’t survive around here. It is nice to walk out in our back yard and pick lemons and oranges (and soon, hopefully, limes). Hmmm… maybe orangecello and limecello is in my future 🙂
Hops & in certain areas grapes grow well here in the summer months – thus the numerous breweries and wineries.
I’d love to have some citrus. That’ll be fun for you to try making different flavors. 🙂
I’ll send you some lemons… you send me some wine 🙂
😁😁It’s a DEAL!!! 🍷🍋
I’ve had several homemade versions and from the color of yours, it looks like you got it right.
I love the beautiful yellow the limoncello takes on as it “brews.” I would like to try more flavors… I saw something similar made with oranges and vanilla. It is supposed to taste like a creamcicle. Yum!
Oh my this looks great Janis and just perfect for summer. I’ve not tasted Limencello before but you make it sound delicious and worth a try!
Limoncello is the perfect summer sip, especially ice cold. Since we are just entering our hotter months (and I get the feeling this might be an especially hot summer) I’m glad I made a large batch 🙂
We did this too! And with that same exact Costco vodka bottle! We emptied it and filled it back up with limoncello. 🙂 It looks so pretty in yellow.
I thought about filling the vodka bottle up with limoncello but I liked the little bottles better… easier to store in the freezer and give away as gifts. I just hope all the people we’ve given bottles to are smart enough to return them when empty so I can fill them up again next time. 🙂