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Limoncello

Author:

Vincenzo

Updated:

12th Aug, 2025

141 Comments

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How to Make Limoncello

Limoncello is a beloved Italian liqueur that has gained worldwide fame for its tangy, refreshing taste. Made using just three simple ingredients. My Nonna’s family recipe will transport you to the sunny Mediterranean coast with just one sip.

Moreover, the intense citrus flavor of fresh lemons blends perfectly with the sweetness of sugar and the kick of alcohol. Additionally, resulting in a delightful explosion of taste in your mouth.

Whether you enjoy it on its own, as an after-dinner digestif, or mixed into a refreshing cocktail. Lastly, limoncello is a must-try for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life.

Watch Limoncello video recipe:

Limoncello | Nonna making the best limoncello in the world Italian Homemade Recipe

limoncello recipe

Nonna’s Top Tips To Make Limoncello

NOT the white part

Firstly, make sure you only peel the skin without getting the white part of the lemon.

20 days

Soak your lemons for 20 days in order for the Limoncello to be bold yellow in colour and full of flavour.

Store your Limoncello

You can either put one bottle of limoncello in the fridge and store the other ones in a dry cool place. It depends on you!

Limoncello

Print Recipe
4.80 from 24 votes
Prep Time: 30 minutes mins
Servings: 150

Equipment

  • Strainer
  • pot
  • Big Jar with sealed tap

Ingredients

  • 9 Organic Lemon, This is a must
  • 1 Grain alcohol (95% ABV / 190 proof), You can use 100% pure vodka but it won’t taste the same
  • 1.5 L Water
  • 700 grams White sugar
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Peel 9 organic lemons. Make sure you only peel the skin without getting the white part of the lemon.
  • Place the lemon skins in a big jar and add grain (pure) alcohol. Seal the jar and let it infuse for approx 20 days.
  • The lemons need to soak in this liquid for 20 days in order for the Limoncello to be bold yellow in colour and full of flavour.
  • Bring 1.5 litres of water to a boil and add 700 grams of white sugar.
  • When the water cools add the marinated yellow alcohol to the water using a strainer so the lemon skins don’t go into the limoncello.
  • Put a glass of water into the jar, mix it around and add it to the mix. This will get the most flavour out of the lemon mix for the limoncello to be full of bold flavour.
  • Now mix the limoncello really well for a couple of minutes.
  • With 1.5lt of water and 1lt of grain alcohol you should be able to get almost 3lt of limoncello.
  • Fill up empty glass bottles with the limoncello.
  • Put one bottle of limoncello in the fridge and store the other ones in a dry cool place.
  • E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’sPlate….Enjoy!

Video

Author: Vincenzo’s Plate

How to serve Limoncello

  • Serve the Limoncello in small glasses. Some Italians enjoy to drink it in a cold glass. To do this, place the glass in the freezer for about 20minutes before you drink the limoncello.

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Recipe Rating




141 responses

  1. Fulvio Frijo
    September 25, 2025

    5 stars
    I love this recipe for limoncello which comes out so good each time I have made it! Grazie Nonna!!! I was wondering if it is ok to use brown sugar?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 25, 2025

      Ciao Fulvio! I haven’t tried using brown sugar myself, but it will likely change the flavor and color a bit, giving it more of a caramel-like taste. Give it a try and let me know how your version turns out!

      Reply
      1. Fran
        October 18, 2025

        5 stars
        Awesome!

        Reply
        1. Vincenzo’s Plate
          October 20, 2025

          Let me know when you give it a try! I’m excited to know how it turns out.

          Reply
  2. Alana Giansanti
    September 25, 2025

    5 stars
    I made this recipe and it was the best limoncello I ever had. Even the ones we brought back from Italy!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 25, 2025

      Ciao Alana! WOW! That is amazing, so glad you loved it!🍋

      Reply
  3. Therese
    September 28, 2025

    5 stars
    Easy recipe, but mine was not a strong yellow colour. Can you add some of the lemon juice? Should you soak the whole lemon on the alcohol as well?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 29, 2025

      Ciao Therese! If your limoncello didn’t come out a strong yellow, it usually means there wasn’t enough of the lemon zest oils released into the alcohol. Make sure to peel only the yellow skin (no white pith) and let it soak for the full 20 days. I don’t recommend adding lemon juice or the whole lemon. The juice will change the balance and can make the limoncello cloudy or spoil faster, and the white pith will add bitterness. The color and flavor come only from the zest, so patience is the key here.

      Reply
  4. B
    September 28, 2025

    5 stars
    I made this and it is the best ever

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 29, 2025

      Ciao B! Grazie mille, I’m so happy you loved the limoncello! It’s such a joy to make at home and even better to share with friends. Salute!

      Reply
  5. Bruno Flávio Bertin
    September 30, 2025

    Muito bom delícia

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 30, 2025

      Ciao Bruno! Grazie mille and yes Limoncello is absolutely delicious! Buon appetito!

      Reply
  6. Mary Reece
    September 30, 2025

    Have started making my own Limoncello. Up to my 4th batch from my own tree. Was interested to see it can be made with milk! I’m guessing it cant be kept in the freezer. How long will it keep in the fridge?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 30, 2025

      Ciao Mary! Wow, 4 batches already from your own tree, that’s fantastic. The milk version is called Crema di Limoncello.

      Here is Nonna’s recipe if you want to give Crema di Limoncello a try:
      https://www.vincenzosplate.com/crema-di-limoncello/

      It will keep in the freezer for more than a year. Just give it a gentle shake before serving!

      Reply
  7. Nikki
    October 2, 2025

    Hello, I cant wait to try making this. I think little bottles would make great Christmas gifts! How long could this be store on the shelf vs the fridge?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      October 2, 2025

      You’re right Nikki, little bottles of limoncello make the perfect Christmas gift 🎁
      You can keep one bottle in the fridge for drinking and store the others in a cool dry place. They’ll last for months, even up to a year if sealed well. Salute!

      Reply
  8. Laura Mateo
    October 5, 2025

    Made this limoncello, finished it today, 👌. Absolutely yum. Thank you for sharing 😘

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      October 7, 2025

      Ciao Laura! That’s fantastic to hear! I’m so glad you made the limoncello and loved it. Nothing beats the taste of homemade, right? Salute!

      Reply
  9. Serena
    October 9, 2025

    The recipe doesn’t say how much alcohol

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      October 9, 2025

      Use 1 liter Grain alcohol. Let me know how your limoncello turns out.

      Reply
  10. Elizabeth
    October 20, 2025

    I’m going to make Nonna’s limoncello, it looks as if is the best recipe.
    If I want to make limoncello crema, should I use full fat milk.
    Excited to make these recipes x

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      October 21, 2025

      Ciao Elizabeth! Nonna’s limoncello really is the best, you’re going to love it. 🍋

      If you’d like to make Crema di Limoncello, you can follow Nonna’s full recipe here:
      https://www.vincenzosplate.com/crema-di-limoncello/

      Enjoy making it and let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
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