Limoncello Trivia
About Limoncello
The exact origin of limoncello is disputed. The industry trade group Federazione Italiana Industriali Produttori Esportatori ed Importatori di Vini, Acquaviti, Liquori, Sciroppi, Aceti ed affini says that Limoncello was created at the beginning of the 1900s by the grandmother of Maria Antonia Farace, who lived in a small guesthouse in Isola Azzurra. US sources[who?] say that it was either invented in Sicily about 100 years ago, or that it was first made on the Amalfi coast, where several villages and islands claim to be its place of origin. Journalist Kristen Tillotson reports that it may either have been invented by a citrus-grove tender from Azzurra around 1900 or by monks or fishermen much earlier.
Limoncello is mainly produced in Southern Italy, especially in the region around the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the coast of Amalfi, and islands of Procida, Ischia, and Capri.
Traditionally, limoncello is made from the zest of Femminello St. Teresa lemons, also known as Sorrento or Sfusato lemons. Lemon zest, or peels without the pith, is steeped in rectified spirit until the oil is released. The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with simple syrup. Varying the sugar-to-water ratio and the temperature affects the clarity, viscosity, and flavor. It has a slightly turbid appearance, which originates from the presence of small (approximately 100 nanometers) essential oil droplets suspended in the drink. Opaque limoncellos are the result of spontaneous emulsification (otherwise known as the ouzo effect) of the sugar syrup and extracted lemon oils.
Commercial production was about 15 million liters in 2003.
DIY Limoncello
Limoncello is smooth and sweet with an intense lemon flavor. It can be sipped on its own, mixed into sparkling water, or shaken into cocktails. Limoncello can range from very sweet to super tart and citrusy — as the maker of the limoncello, that’s something that you get to decide. Lucky you.
To make it, we’re simply infusing lemon peels into vodka. No distilling or secret ingredients required. After letting the peels and vodka mingle for anywhere from a few days to a month, it’s strained, mixed with sugar syrup, chilled.
What Alcohol to Use?
If you have the option, 100 proof vodka or even higher-proof grain alcohol is the very best to use for making limoncello. This will extract more and better lemon flavor from the peels, and makes a smoother, less cloying limoncello.
This said, 80 proof vodka is also fine to use — it’s also easier to find and less expensive than 100 proof. If you use 80 proof vodka, you won’t need to add as much sugar syrup after infusing the vodka.
What Lemons to Use?
Standard lemons are just fine for making limoncello, though we do recommend buying organic lemons. Since non-organic lemons are usually coated with wax, you’ll get a better extraction from organic lemons. Plus, alcohol will pull everything from those peels, including any pesticides or insecticides used on the lemons.
If you have access to them, Meyer lemons make a superb limoncello. You can also branch out into other citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines.
You are only using the lemon peels for this project. Just try to get the skin alone and as little pith as possible.
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.
How Much Sugar?
Start with a simple syrup made of 1 cup of sugar dissolved in 1 cup of water — start here whether you used 100 proof or 80 proof vodka. Add this to the infused vodka, taste, and add more simple syrup to taste.
You can play with the ratios of water to sugar here, all the way up to 4 cups of water with 4 cups of sugar and anything in between. More water will dilute the alcohol base, making a less alcoholic, milder, and smoother-sipping liqueur. More sugar will make a sweeter limoncello.
Is It Safe?
Absolutely! The alcohol prevents any mold or other bacteria from growing on the fruit. Once strained, the limoncello can be kept in the freezer for at least a year, and likely much longer. If your limoncello is over a year old, discard it if it tastes off or you see any mold growing in the bottle.