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Limoncello

Author:

Vincenzo

Updated:

16th Mar, 2026

244 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
4.88 from 48 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 L 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




244 responses

  1. Matt
    May 17, 2025

    Make mine the same way only I use equal parts alcohol and water. 150 proof alcohol

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      May 19, 2025

      Ciao Matt! I bet your limoncello packs a punch and tastes bellissima! Salute! 🥂

      Reply
  2. Amy McGowan
    June 6, 2025

    4 stars
    When you say put a glass of water into the jar, do you mean a glass of water from the sugar water or an additional glass of water? Just the one point of confusion! Am going to try this recipe! TYIA!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 6, 2025

      Ciao Amy! I’m so excited for you to try Nonna’s Limoncello recipe. It’s actually an additional glass of water, not the sugar water. You pour it into the jar with the lemon peels (after you’ve strained the alcohol), give it a good swirl to soak up all the leftover flavour, and then add that to your final limoncello mix. Let me know how your limoncello turns out!

      Reply
  3. Suzanne Brinkerhoff
    June 12, 2025

    5 stars
    I just Finished bottling the Limoncello 🍋💛😁 It looks and smells Amazing… and the sample taste I took…. Bellissima

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 12, 2025

      Ciao Suzanne! Ahhh bellissimo, nothing like homemade Limoncello well done! Now comes the hardest part… letting it rest in the fridge so it gets even better! Salute!

      Reply
      1. Michael McLaughlin
        July 1, 2025

        I did a 30 day soak. About to make the mixture. Pretty excited!

        Reply
        1. Vincenzo’s Plate
          July 1, 2025

          Can’t wait to hear how your limoncello turns out! Keep me posted Michael!

          Reply
  4. Jo-Anne Ferrero
    June 18, 2025

    Ciao! I have soaked my lemons & will be bottling today. Do I have to wait before drinking the limoncello or is it ready to drink straight away once chilled? Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 18, 2025

      Ciao Jo-Anne! Bottling day is the best part! Once your limoncello is chilled, it’s technically ready to enjoy. But if you can wait a few more days, the flavors will mellow and blend even better. So yes, you can drink it now, but it’ll be even smoother if you give it a little rest. Salute!

      Reply
  5. Nicky
    June 20, 2025

    5 stars
    Thank you, Nonna! Our limoncello is perfecto!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 20, 2025

      Ciao Nicky! That makes Nonna proud! So happy your limoncello turned out perfetto. Salute!

      Reply
  6. Michelle Daugherty
    June 25, 2025

    How much alcohol?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 26, 2025

      Ciao Michelle!! Use 1 liter of pure alcohol (around 95% ABV if you can find it) for a strong and traditional limoncello.

      Reply
  7. Chris Odorisio
    June 27, 2025

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try!!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      June 27, 2025

      I’m excited for you to try it! Let me know how it goes for you!

      Reply
  8. Kailey
    July 1, 2025

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to try this recipe! What is the shelf life of the Limoncello once it’s finished?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      July 1, 2025

      Ciao Kailey! I’m so excited for you to try it. Once it’s finished, Limoncello can last for up to a year if you store it in a cool, dark place or keep it in the fridge or freezer. Just make sure the bottle is well sealed. Buon appetito and enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Ang Ashley
    July 6, 2025

    Thank you for sharing Nona’s recipe, can you tell me where you buy the pure alcohol from??

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      July 7, 2025

      I’m glad you enjoyed Nonna’s recipe! You can usually find pure alcohol for recipes like limoncello at large liquor stores or specialty stores. Just be sure it’s food grade and safe for making liqueurs. Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Connie Evans
    July 9, 2025

    5 stars
    Just got my lemons and alcohol soaking! I’ve read that once the whole process is finished you should rest the final bottles for two more weeks at room temperature. You say put directly in the fridge. I’m wondering your opinion on that. Can’t wait for 30 days to be up!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      July 11, 2025

      Ciao Connie! Some people do let the final limoncello rest at room temperature for a week or two to help the flavors mellow and blend even more. But in our family, we pop it straight into the fridge. Once it’s bottled— it’s ready to enjoy chilled, and the taste is already fantastic! That said, both ways work! If you have the patience, a little extra rest won’t hurt. Just make sure the bottles are sealed well and kept in a cool, dark spot. Can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Salute!

      Reply
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