Limoncello! The perfect homemade holiday gift!
As I made my way toward the kitchen – I had one thing in mind…Limoncello! This holiday ritual occurs every year in our house, and now is the time!
Peeling the zest of 35 lemons or more, usually more…for a soak in an alcohol bath, is a family tradition that began eight years ago. Easy to execute, but no tiny feat (if you make big big batches like we do), this is a fun one!
On this day, our homemade gift giving season commences, and because you may want to surprise your friends and family with this authentic Italian liqueur, I thought I’d share the process so that it will be ready for you to share by Christmas.
This gorgeous liqueur, born on Italy’s breathtaking Amalfi Coast, is a perfect citrusy drink served icy cold before or after dinner. Meant to be sipped from a small glass, it’s a lovely beverage to whet the appetite, or settle the stomach after a nice meal. It’s also a fine mixer for fun cocktails!
Liquid sunshine, am I right?
Speaking of sunshine….I recently had the honor of sharing this holiday recipe with the sweet host of California Cooking with Jessica Holmes. To chat with Jessica about the inspiration for my blog, and to share our limoncello story (which happens to be the first published recipe on CCB), was quite a thrill, but it doesn’t end there! The remainder of the episode captures the beauty and bounty of Italian food. Jessica shares incredible recipes for mushroom lasagne, and homemade calzones with her sweet little boy, Levi; and we learn about an exciting Italian restaurant in Santa Monica that has its fresh pasta flown in from Bologna, Italy. You know that’s delicious! You can find the full episode here.
On the seventh day:
Strain the lemon peels from the alcohol and discard the peels.
Pour the sugar syrup into the glass jar with the alcohol and stir well.
Serve chilled from the refrigerator or freezer.
- We also make batches of orangecello – simply switch out the lemon peels for orange peels, and follow the same directions.
NOTE:
The limoncello will keep for one to two years. Store in bottles with a cap or a cork in your bar or cellar. Chill before serving.
Refreshing, zippy, lemony and celebratory – limoncello fits any occasion! Let me know if you give it a go!
Cheers, my friends!
Little nibbles to complement this sweet sipper:
Sun-Dried Tomato, Fennel & Parmesan Biscotti
Limoncello
Description
Limoncello! The perfect homemade holiday gift!
Ingredients
You’ll need a large glass jar
Zest of 7 large organic lemons
1 litre of pure grain alcohol or vodka (we used grain alcohol)
5 cups water
3 – 4 cups of sugar (depending on how sweet you like your sipper)
Instructions
On the first day:
Peel the zest from the lemons with a vegetable peeler and place them into a large glass jar. Try to avoid the bitter white pith of the lemon skin.
Add the alcohol to the jar with the lemon zest.
Cover the jar with plastic wrap and store in a cool place for 7 days.
On the sixth day:
Boil the 5 cups of water and add the sugar to the boiling water. Stir the sugar until it is fully dissolved. Set the sugar syrup aside to let it cool over night.
On the seventh day:
Strain the lemon peels from the alcohol and discard the peels.
Pour the sugar syrup into the glass jar with the alcohol and stir well.
Serve chilled from the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
We also make batches of orangecello – simply switch out the lemon peels for orange peels, and follow the same directions.
The limoncello will keep for one to two years.
Store in bottles with a cap or a cork in your bar or cellar. Chill before serving
Ahh limoncello is a favorite in my home too. I usually make a batch when the lemons are in season in SoCal. I use a very similar recipe, will try this one next time. Grazie mille per la ricetta!
Such a treat! Thanks for stopping by with a kind remark! Happy New Year!
I love sipping limoncello in summer but I would never have guessed that it’s so easy to make it at home! I honestly need to try this asap – and what a perfect homemade gift; your family and friends are very lucky indeed, Annie! Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh yes – a perfect summer sipper, but perfect any time of year, really! 🙂 So happy you’re going to try it! Have fun! Thanks for stopping by, Katerina!!
I love this idea for gifting SO MUCH. It’s a perfect thing to drop off on someone’s doorstep! Although I’d have a hard time giving it away, I admit. Wonderful idea!
It is always well-received! 🙂
Just lovely and enjoyed the video of you making it! I might just need to whip up a batch of this for the holidays 🙂
It’s a fun one!! Thanks, Jennifer!
What a great holiday tradition Annie! Sounds like y’all have fun together making it. I love the pretty bottles too!
Thank you, Mary Ann!
We LOVE limoncello in this house and I haven’t made it for ages! What a beautiful gift idea for the holidays!! And how gorgeous are your labels? I love them.
It’s a popular sipper all year round, but it feels extra special at the holidays! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word, Marissa! Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
The limoncello is so pretty, but I can’t get over those labels! Stunning! I’m not a huge lemon person, but my husband is. I wonder if I could make this as a surprise…
Thanks you, Mimi! Aren’t those labels fun?!! My daughter designed them. Oh, I think your husband would love the surprise! 🙂