VC Kitchen – Limoncello

Absolutely! Here’s a beautiful homemade limoncello recipe you can add to your citrus blog post—perfect for using up surplus lemons and creating something truly special to enjoy or gift.

Bonus Idea: Make Homemade Limoncello 🍋

Limoncello is a traditional Italian liqueur made by infusing lemon zest in alcohol, then sweetening it with sugar syrup. It’s bright, zesty, and perfect as a chilled after-dinner drink or drizzled over ice cream. Making it at home is surprisingly simple—and a wonderful way to use New Zealand’s fragrant, fresh lemons.

Homemade Limoncello Recipe

You’ll need:

• 10 large lemons
• 1 bottle (750 ml) vodka or other high-proof neutral spirit
• 2 ½ cups (500 g) white sugar
• 3 cups (700 ml) water
• Large clean jar with a lid
• Fine mesh strainer or muslin cloth
• Glass bottles for storing

Method:

1. Zest the lemons using a microplane or vegetable peeler, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith.
2. Place all the zest in a large clean jar and pour over the vodka. Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place for at least 7 to 10 days, or up to a month for a stronger flavour. Shake the jar gently every couple of days.
3. Once infused, strain the lemon zest out of the vodka using a fine mesh sieve or muslin cloth.
4. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
5. Mix the lemon-infused vodka with the cooled sugar syrup. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
6. Pour your limoncello into sterilised bottles and seal. Store in the fridge or freezer.

Limoncello is best served ice cold—straight from the freezer in a small glass. It also makes a delightful cocktail ingredient or dessert drizzle. Hot Hint (well cold) It’s fab over ice cream!