So we’ve had the first day of fall… and before long, you will start to see evident signs that the holidays are around the corner (if not already). For me, it also means I should start looking through some of my stashed ideas for holiday gifts so I can get a head start. If you want a quick and easy way to get gifts crossed off your list, make friends and family something they will enjoy…. like Limoncello!
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur typically made with a specific type of lemon grown in Southern Italy. It’s deliciously smooth, vibrant and makes for a great aperitif, sipping drink, or a mixer to create a refreshing cocktail. The good thing is that you don’t need to travel to Italy to make limoncello. In fact, you can make limoncello with three ingredients you may already have easy access to – organic lemons, sugar and vodka. So let’s talk about these three ingredients…
Organic lemons – I advise using organic lemons because it they don’t have the same waxy exterior that non-organic lemons do. This is particular important because the essence of lemon peels is critical in making limoncello. We want to avoid any additional chemicals/additives (aka wax) to make it. The lemons are peeled solely for the lemon peel, which contains oils and flavors that will be infused in alcohol. You don’t want to include any pith, the white layer below the lemon peel, because it’s bitter and won’t add anything good to the limoncello.
Alcohol – Vodka is the alcohol of choice in making limoncello. You will want a vodka that is of high quality because it makes up the liqueur. My vodka of choice is CH Distillery Vodka, a local brand from Chicago. It’s clean, smooth and pure, perfect as is or used in creating other cocktails…. which is exactly what you want! Check out CH Distillery Vodka’s upcoming events if you’re in the area.
Sugar – Technically, it’s not just sugar but really simple syrup made from sugar and water. This will add the sweetness to cut through the vodka and lemon. How much you use is dependent on sweet you want your limoncello to be.
Although the recipe below is for limoncello, you can certainly use other fruits in place of lemons. Try grapefruit, limes or even sour cherries – used to make the “cherry-cello” above!
8-10 organic lemons, washed, dried and peeled
1 750-ml bottle vodka (100-proof preferred, or 80-proof)
1 to 4 cups simple sugar
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