You can make this with any citrus. The key is using the best and freshest citrus possible. Fruit that has been in storage a long time gives a muddy taste to the drink.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 20 min |
| Prep: | 15 min |
| Cook: | 5 min |
| Yield: | 30 servings |
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 20 min |
| Prep: | 15 min |
| Cook: | 5 min |
| Yield: | 30 servings |
Ingredients
- 12 Meyer lemons, or a mixture of lemons and limes, peel only, no pith
- 3 sprigs lavender, optional but lovely
- 2 liters light rum or vodka
- 6 cups sugar
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Put the lemon peels, lavender, if using, and rum or vodka in a container and let stand for 4 weeks.
- Strain the mixture into a decanter.
- Mix the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool before adding to the rum mixture.
- Serve in small aperitif glasses.
- Store in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Reviews
Having been lucky enough to have lived in Italy for nearly 6 years, this recipe takes much longer than the one I was given while living there. I would never attempt this with rum as rum has too much of it’s own flavor, but that’s my opinion. I use Everclear and let the peels ferment 10 days to 2 weeks. The way I know it’s fermented enough it to check and see if the peels are brittle. They should snap if bent. As far as sweetness goes, again it’s a personal taste. On the few batches I made that were too sweet, I added some lemon flavored vodka at the end of the process. This should be kept cold, but I only keep one bottle at a time in the freezer due to space limitations. Once the outside temperature drops below 45 degrees, I leave the extra bottles in a cooler outside. Also, remember if you don’t want your limoncello too strong, check the alcohol content. Vodka is weaker than Everclear. Most importantly, enjoy & share the love!
This is a hit with my friends and family; much better than the store bought versions. I used vodka and regular lemons. This will be used at an Italian wedding coming up!
Made this as a housewarming gift for my sister and BIL. They LOVED it.Said it was just like the drink they had on their cruise. It was a wonderful way to cheers to the new house!
I have had limoncello both in Italy and from liquor stores/bars here in the US. This tastes just like the real thing! Thanks Michael – you never disappoint! For those who think this is too sweet, remember it is a liqueur! It is supposed to be sweet! On a hot day, over ice, it is great with just a bit of sparkling water or club soda!! Oh, and it is great over vanilla ice cream!!
This was our “homemade gift” for friends this holiday season. It was a hit and I’d definitely recommend it! I withheld a little of the sugar after reading other reviews, and it was still very very sweet. The trick seems to be serving it over lots of ice, and letting the ice dissolve a little into the limoncello, which really brings out the lavender and cuts the sweetness a bit.
I used meyer lemons the first time, and they don’t seem to have much flavor or color in the skin. I ended up adding regular lemon peel during the last week, and within a few days it was nice, bright yellow and very aromatic.
I have made this exact recipe for years and feel the need to comment. It tastes just like limoncello is supposed to taste! However, I do think that if you think it’s on the sweet side, make it with vodka instead of rum- as rum is a sugar based liquor already and by nature very sweet. I am always a fan though of making a recipe your own, but to criticize because you don’t get it is a different story! We make it for Christmas gifts every year and people love it! Store it in the freezer and share in shots or add it to freshly made lemonade (from juice of the lemons that you use, so nothing goes to waste) along with a splash of sprite & amaretto and it’s as Italian as they come!! ENJOY!!! Thank you Micheal for helping someone who is truly Italian in her heart feel more authentic!!!
I usually bake my Christmas gifts, but this would be a wonderful addition along with lemon treats. The recipe is on the sweet side for my taste, I may use 3 cups of sugar instead of the 6 as written. Again, thanks for a beautiful idea for a gift for friends and for myself!
Way too sweet. I agree I thought the sugar quantity was off. The lavender made too perfume like. Undrinkable. Went down the drain
Ok, I made it, loved it, drank it. It is supposed to be sweet though, I made it and poured it over snow cones for a wedding! It was a hit! Sort of an americana twist on an Italian ice.
This is very easy to make. It turned out well.