Homemade Limoncello is so easy to make, you’ll never need to buy another bottle again! Made with only four ingredients (and a little patience), let the lemon peels infuse the vodka before adding simple syrup, and you have a fresh bottle of tart, sweet limoncello in just a few weeks. Complete with a printable gift tag, this Italian-inspired liquor is perfect for your next dinner party or as a personalized gift any time of the year. 

Lemons are consistently a complimentary flavor to many drinks. However, in this limoncello, the lemons are the star with their fresh, vibrant and zesty flavor.

We love creating recipes for you that transport your taste buds to dreamy destinations. This easy homemade limoncello recipe takes your taste buds on a trip to Italy without costing you a plane ticket. 

Limoncello is sponsored by Pro Citrus Network.

Making Limoncello is simple, though it requires some time for the peels to infuse the vodka. A few weeks can feel like a long time, but we promise it’s totally worth the wait in liquid gold. 

Once the vodka is infused, you whip up a batch of simple syrup, mix it, and chill. This unique, lavish libation is a real treat, and it’s perfect for your own private alcohol stash and makes great, personalized gifts all year round.

Let us show you how easy it is to make limoncello right in your own kitchen! 

Ingredients

You only need four ingredients to make homemade limoncello — lemons, alcohol, water, and sugar. Easy, right? However, to make sure your limoncello is bursting with citrusy lemon flavor, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients.  

Here’s what you’ll need for the best homemade limoncello:

Lemons

Limoncello is all about the lemons. We used Pro Citrus Network lemons because they’re passionate about all things citrus. It’s important to use fresh lemons for a more intense lemon flavor. Select lemons that are bright yellow and firm to the touch — it’s our little trick for tart, smooth, and bold limoncello every time. 

Alcohol

At least 100-proof vodka works best in homemade limoncello. The higher the alcohol volume in the vodka, the quicker the vodka absorbs the flavor and natural oils of the lemon peels. If you opt for a cheaper vodka with a lower alcohol content, you may need to allow extra time for the citrus to infuse. But we promise, it’s worth the wait!

Water and Sugar

Heat water and sugar in a saucepan to make simple syrup. It only takes a few minutes and balances out the zesty, tartness of the lemons for the perfect limoncello. You can use your simple syrup on its own or mixed with desserts, baked goods, or drizzled over ice cream. 

How to Make Homemade Limoncello

The hardest part about making limoncello is waiting for the lemon to infuse. Your wait time will vary — anywhere from 2-6 weeks — depending on the strength of your vodka and your desired intensity of lemon flavor. But making your limoncello is so easy and simple, you’ll never need to buy another bottle again.

Step 1: Wash and rinse the lemons. 

Start by washing your lemons in a large bowl of water, using your fingers to gently rub off any bacteria that may have built up. Remove any stems, and rinse away any remaining dirt under cool running waters. It’s important not to skip this because we’ll be working the skin of the lemon and we want to make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned.

Step 2: Peel the lemons.

Use a vegetable peeler to peel each lemon and add them to a large mason jar. Do your best to peel as close to the outer layer as possible so you don’t get any of the pith (the white part). The pith is bitter and will alter the taste of your limoncello. Avoiding the pith is important because no amount of sugar will be able to balance out the bitterness. You could use lemon zest, but it’s much easier to strain the lemon peel slivers versus grated in Step 3. 

Step 3: Add the vodka. 

Pour about 3 cups of vodka over the lemon peels in the mason jar so they are completely submerged in liquid. Secure the lid and store in a dark, cool place for 2-6 weeks. 

Step 4: Swirl and strain the lemon and vodka mixture.

Every other day, swirl the lemon mixture for 15 seconds to redistribute the lemon peels and the vodka. This helps to release the natural oils from the lemons as they are released into the alcohol. 

You’ll know your limoncello is ready when the lemon peels have lost their yellow color and are translucent and pale. The oils have been completely released when the peels look brittle.  

Strain the lemon-infused vodka over a coffee filter lined strainer, into a large bowl. 

Step 5: Make the simple syrup.

Bring the water and sugar to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, whisking until the sugar dissolves. Let the simple syrup cool completely before adding it to the large bowl with the lemon vodka. As it cools, it thickens for the perfect limoncello consistency. 

Step 6: Continue to steep the limoncello. 

Rinse the large mason jar and pour the lemon-infused vodka and the simple syrup into the jar. Continue to swirl the limoncello every other day for 3 weeks, or up to 40 days. This allows the limoncello and the simple syrup to mix smoothly. 

Step 7: Transfer and chill the limoncello. 

When your limoncello reaches your desired intensity of flavor, transfer it to the glass gift bottles and print and fill out the gift tags. Or chill it in the fridge for recipes or after the kids go to sleep. 

Why We Love Pro Citrus Network

We love partnering with Pro Citrus Network because of their commitment to delivering high quality, fresh citrus to you and your family year round. As a family owned business, they know how important it is for you to feel confident in the quality of your citrus. And since they deliver citrus to a store near you all year, you’ll always have a fresh batch of limoncello at your house for your next family dinner or holiday party. 

Homemade limoncello makes the perfect gift any time of year! Download your FREE printable gift tag for a personalized present for your mom, best friend, or sister. Enjoy a glass together as your taste buds are whisked away to the rolling hills of Italy!