How to Make Limoncello

In the van from Naples to Amalfi, about an hour drive, I started making my typical photo shoot prop list: Vase, fresh flowers, wine and sparkling water bottles, and always an excessive amount of lemons. After checking into our AirBNB, I had to laugh. You can’t walk ten steps in Amalfi without bumping into a lemon grove.

For thousands of years, the Amalfi economy survived by supplying lemons to merchant ships, pirates, armies, and all people spending long stretches away from land in an effort to thwart the painful and deadly scurvy that occurs from a lack of vitamin C.

It’s no wonder that their lemon varietals are woven into every aspect of their cuisine, including the infamous limoncello! We visited a limoncello maker on our first afternoon in town, and I made a note, in addition to the bottles I brought back in my suitcase, to figure out how to make my own. Keep reading for the step-by-step recipe.

Step 1: Select Your Lemons

To start your limoncello adventure, you'll need about 15 organic Meyer lemons. Amalfi is famous for two varietals of lemons, neither of which is readily available in the United States, but the sweetness of the Meyer lemon is going to be the closest to the ones in Italy.

Step 2: Peel with Care

Using a vegetable peeler, carefully peel all 15 of the lemons, ensuring you avoid the bitter white pith. Combine the peels with 1 liter of high-quality vodka in a large, airtight jar. Store this vibrant mixture in a cool, dark place for at least 4 days, or as long as 4 weeks, shaking it gently every few days.

Step 3: Sweeten the Deal

After your infusion period, strain the liquid through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove the zest. In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar over medium-low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Allow it to completely cool before using. Mix the syrup into your lemony vodka, adjusting for sweetness to taste. Each step brings you closer to bottling that endless summer feeling.

Step 4: Time to Bottle and Enjoy!

Pour your homemade limoncello into beautiful bottles of your choice. Chill your limoncello in the freezer, then serve it in small glasses. Cheers to sunshine and the spirit of the Amalfi Coast!