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Limoncello

Author:

Vincenzo

Updated:

16th Mar, 2026

212 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
4.85 from 39 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




212 responses

  1. Leanne
    August 7, 2025

    Hi there, I am keen to have a go. I am planning to make for Christmas gifts. If I start making it now (August), will it still be ok at Christmas How long will it last? Do I need to refrigerate?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 7, 2025

      Ciao Leanne! Homemade limoncello makes a perfect Christmas gift! If you start now (in August), it’ll definitely be ready by Christmas and even better, the flavours will have time to deepen beautifully. Just store it in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed bottle. No need to refrigerate until it’s opened. Salute!

      Reply
  2. Anna
    August 7, 2025

    How much alcohol do l need

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 7, 2025

      Ciao Anna! Please use 1 liter of grain alcohol — ideally 95–96% ABV. You can also use 100% pure vodka but it won’t taste the same. Let me know if you give this recipe a try!

      Reply
  3. Rosita Pasch
    August 11, 2025

    Hello Vincenzo, my lemon tree is getting ready to drop the biggest yield of lemons it’s ever had. What is the alcohol that you use.

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 12, 2025

      Ciao Rosita! Fantastic news about your lemons. Sounds like it’s going to be a perfect year for making limoncello. Nonna uses Distillerie Valdoglio Alcool Puro 95° (1 L), which is a pure alcohol ideal for infusions. If you can’t find that exact brand where you are, look for a food-grade pure alcohol around 95% ABV (190 proof).

      Reply
  4. Vanessa
    August 11, 2025

    Can you confirm limoncello cream recipe ingredient quantities please.
    Thanks
    Vanessa.

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 12, 2025

      Ciao Vanessa! You can find Nonna;s Crema di Limoncello recipe here:
      https://www.vincenzosplate.com/crema-di-limoncello/

      Reply
  5. Tammy ‘Grammy’ Jacobson
    August 12, 2025

    5 stars
    Hi 👋 Nonna and Vincenzo,
    Can I get the quantity for the lemon cream… My video keeps cutting out..
    Good health and prosperity to you both and families

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 13, 2025

      Ciao Tammy! For Nonnas Crema di Limoncello the ingredients are:

      Ingredients are:
      9 organic lemons
      0.26 gallon pure alcohol, 1 liter
      0.52 gallon milk, 2 liters
      ½ spoon vanilla powder or extract, or extract
      2.2 lbs sugar, 1 kg

      Please follow this recipe:
      https://www.vincenzosplate.com/crema-di-limoncello/

      Reply
  6. Edite Flores
    August 19, 2025

    How much alcohol? I leter?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 19, 2025

      Ciao Edite! Please use 1 liter of grain alcohol — ideally 95–96% ABV. You can also use 100% pure vodka but it won’t taste the same. Let me know if you give this recipe a try!

      Reply
  7. TRACEY PUFFLER
    August 27, 2025

    hello, what happens if i have some white of the lemon in my vodka . going to make the cream limencillo

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      August 27, 2025

      Ciao Tracey! If a little bit of the white pith gets into the vodka, it can make your limoncello slightly bitter. For the best flavor, try to use only the yellow zest. If you’ve already added some pith, don’t worry, it will still work, just a bit bitter. For crema di limoncello, the milk and sugar will help mellow it out. Enjoy making it!

      Reply
  8. Jill
    August 31, 2025

    I want an Italian nonna!! Grandma is delightful!

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 1, 2025

      Nonnas are the best!

      Reply
  9. Lara
    August 31, 2025

    5 stars
    Fabulous and simple recipe, thank you.
    Does anyone do anything with the alcohol infused lemon rinds afterwards?

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 1, 2025

      Ciao Lara! At this point the lemon rind has already done its job and released most of its flavor into the alcohol. 🍋 Taste one and if it still has some flavor, you can candy the peels for a sweet treat. Otherwise, they work well as a natural cleaner!

      Reply
  10. Sab
    September 9, 2025

    Hi,
    Just wonder if made your limoncelo but its yellow clear not milky like urs?…but taste awesome!…..

    Reply
    1. Vincenzo’s Plate
      September 9, 2025

      Ciao Sab! If your limoncello is clear yellow instead of milky, it just means the alcohol and syrup didn’t fully mix in the same way. It can depend on the strength of the alcohol or the temperature when you combined them. Nonetheless, if it’s still delicious, I wouldn’t worry too much about it and bravo for making it yourself!

      Reply
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