Are you ready to embark on a journey through the sunny flavours of Australian lemons? Here is a homemade organic limoncello recipe made from pure alcohol. Making your own limoncello or lemoncello has become very popular now that Everclear organic alcohol is available in Australia.
A journey through the spirited world of Limoncello with this authentic recipe tailored for the Australian palate. Unlock the secrets behind crafting this refreshing elixir that perfectly captures the essence of our bright and sun-soaked summers.
Explore the art of making a Limoncello with the zestiness of Australia.
Try this authentic Limoncello recipe at home. Limoncello is the embodiment of bright Australian summers, bursting with zesty citrus notes and a refreshing tang.
In this article, we will guide you through the traditional process of creating your very own Limoncello, using locally sourced lemons and a touch of Aussie ingenuity. With its origins on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Limoncello has become a sought-after liqueur worldwide.
But why go searching for imported bottles when you can craft your vibrant elixir at home? Discover the secrets behind selecting the perfect lemons, extracting their essence, and balancing the sweetness to create a Limoncello that will transport your taste buds directly to your sun-drenched beach.
So, grab your cocktail shaker and let’s dive into this invigorating and authentic Limoncello recipe that will elevate your home mixology game to new heights. Is that over the top? I think so.
What is the spelling of Lemon Cello?
When I was searching for zesty Limoncello recipes, I was using the wrong spelling, like lemon cello and lemoncello. The actual spelling is limoncello with an (i), as it is of Italian origin.
What is Limoncello Liqueur?
What is limoncello liqueur, you may ask? Limoncello liqueur is an Italian sweet liqueur made from the rind of lemons, alcohol and sugar in the southern part of Italy. There are several different recipes, see below, depending on what alcohol you use to extract the lemon skin oil from the rind.
What is Limoncino?
Limoncino is made of lemons from Lake Garda in Italy, which is the biggest lake in Italy, near the Dolomites. The recipe is the same as Limoncello, except the lemons are different. There is a very nice, picturesque town called Limone’ sul Garda, famous for the production of its lemons.
What lemons to use?
What lemons to use? Meyer and Eureka lemons are readily available in Australia; the sweeter the lemon, we believe, the best limoncello. Choose thick-skinned lemons with a bright yellow colour – we’ve learnt that homegrown knobbly-looking ones make the best zesty limoncello.
Organic Lemons for Limoncello
Ideally, use homegrown organic lemons. Go for a walk around your suburb to find a lemon tree. You may make new friends with your new organic limoncello recipes with Harris Organic alcohol.
Where to buy pure alcohol for limoncello?
Pure alcohol is ethyl alcohol (ethanol), which has been distilled to make the highest alcoholic content possible for limoncello.
Types of Alcohol to Use
Grain Alcohol (190-proof / 95% ABV): This is the traditional choice used in Italy (often called alcool puro). It extracts the most lemon flavour in the shortest time and prevents the final liqueur from freezing solid in the freezer.
High-Proof Vodka (151-proof / 75.5% ABV): Highly recommended by home cooks for limoncello and its smooth flavour and excellent herbal oil extraction properties.
100-Proof Vodka (100-proof / 50% ABV): Highly recommended by home cooks for limoncello and vanilla extraction properties.
Standard Vodka (80-proof / 40% ABV): The most accessible option found in any distillery. Because it contains more water, you will need to reduce the amount of simple syrup added later to keep your limoncello from becoming too diluted.
Therefore, the best alcohol should be 151 proof, or 75% alcohol by volume. Pure alcohol is ideal for making limoncello.
Pure Alcohol for Limoncello recipe
You can use two strengths of pure alcohol for limoncello liqueur. For the best results, use the best alcohol, like 95% organic beverage alcohol or organic vodka at 50% alcohol. Traditional Italian limoncello is made with very high-proof alcohol. If you need 75% or 95% alcohol in Australia, see our guide to buying pure alcohol for limoncello.
What is the best vodka for limoncello?
Australian cheap Vodka is generally pure alcohol with water added. Therefore, normal shop-bought vodka may not be the best vodka for making limoncello, as it is normally 37% or 75 proof. Some recipes call for 100 proof vodka, and others call for the highest proof possible, which is 190 proof or 95%.
The action of the alcohol is to leach out the oil in the skins of the lemons. Therefore, the higher the percentage of alcohol, the more extraction you can obtain. Use the highest proof you can find. Use 190 or 151 proof vodka that is certified organic for the best limoncello.
How to drink Limoncello
Do you drink limoncello straight?
Limoncello can be served straight up, on the rocks, or as an ingredient in a mixed drink such as the Zesty Spritz, a lemon and gin cocktail recipe. You can also experiment with adding limoncello in place of other sweeteners or liqueurs for a lemon-flavoured variation on your favourite cocktail recipes.
⚠️ CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: High-Proof Alcohol
DANGER: Handle and Consume with Extreme Caution
This recipe requires the use of 95% (190 Proof) Ethanol. This substance presents two major hazards:
- 🔥 FLAMMABILITY: This alcohol is flammable. Do not use near open flames, pilot lights, or sparks. Ensure a well-ventilated work area and store away from heat sources.
- 🚫 NOT FOR DIRECT CONSUMPTION: Do not ingest the pure alcohol or the lemon-infused alcohol extract directly. It must be properly diluted with the sugar and water syrup as instructed in the recipe. Consumption of high-proof alcohol can cause serious harm, including chemical burns and alcohol poisoning.
Always keep this alcohol and the finished product out of reach of children and pets.
How to make Limoncello in Australia
Ingredients for Limoncello Liqueur
Best Limoncello recipe with Pure 95% Alcohol
The best limoncello liqueur recipe will make about 2.0 L of Limoncello using Australian pure alcohol. This makes a better Limoncello than using organic vodka. The method of making organic limoncello can be found below.
- 5 organic lemons
- 500 mL pure organic 95% Everclear alcohol
- 240 g granulated sugar
- 6 cups or 1500 mL of rain, drinking or bottled water
or to make one litre (1L) with 95% alcohol
- 2 organic lemons or the best lemons from your tree
- 250 mL of organic Everclear alcohol in Australia.
- 120 g granulated sugar
- 3 cups or 750 mL of rain, drinking or bottled water
How much Limoncello will you make with pure alcohol?
You can make 800 mL of limoncello with 200 mL of 190 proof pure alcohol, and with 500mL of 95% alcohol, you can make two ( 2 L) of Limoncello from the recipes above.
Recipe for limoncello liqueur – Australia with Organic 100 proof Vodka
This limoncello liqueur recipe will make about 1.5 L of Limoncello using organic vodka. The resultant liqueur should finish with about 20% alcohol in your limoncello. That means it will be stable and not go off, whether you have it in the cupboard or the fridge.
- 4 organic lemons
- Peel only the yellow zest: The white pith underneath is extremely bitter and will ruin the batch. Use a sharp peeler to remove only the outer skin.
- 750mL 100-proof vodka – 50% organic alcohol
- 125g granulated sugar
- 3 cups or 750 mL of filtered or bottled water
Recipe for limoncello liqueur with organic 151-proof vodka
This limoncello liqueur recipe will make about 1.9 L of Limoncello using 151-proof organic vodka. The resultant liqueur should finish with about 20% alcohol in your limoncello. That will mean that it will be stable and not go off, whether you have it in the cupboard or the fridge.
- 6 organic lemons
- Peel only the yellow zest: The white pith underneath is bitter and will ruin your batch. Use a sharp peeler to remove only the thin outer skin.
- 750mL 151-proof vodka – 75.5% organic alcohol
- 185g granulated sugar
- 4 cups or 1125 mL of filtered or bottled water
Directions to make the Limoncello recipe
- Peel into strips or zest the lemons, zesting only the outermost yellow peel and none of the white pith inside. If necessary, carefully cut off any residual pith with a small paring knife.
- Place lemon peel in a large glass 2L jar or other glass container that can be sealed. Cover with the Everclear or 100-proof or 151 proof vodka. Then, secure the lid and place it in a cool, dark location for at least 3 days and up to 1 week, until the rind is white and crisp. The higher the alcohol, the faster the extraction.
- When the liquor is yellow and the peel begins to turn white and easily snaps into pieces when bent, the limoncello soaking process is finished. The longer it steeps, the stronger the lemon flavour of the lemon liquor will be.
- Strain limoncello into a clean glass jar, discarding lemon peels. If desired, strain the lemon liquor again through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter with a little of the ingredient water. This will remove even more residual solids, resulting in a smoother final product.
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan set over medium heat. All you need to do is dissolve the sugar. Bring the water temperature to 50 °C, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let cool, then pour into a jar with lemon liquor. Secure the lid and return to your cool, dark location to mellow for at least 2 weeks or more. The longer you let it mellow, the better your final limoncello will be.
- Once the limoncello has mellowed, use a funnel to divide it among small glass bottles. You can give as presents to friends. Chill in the freezer for at least 1 hour before serving.
What ingredients are needed for a classic limoncello liqueur recipe?
To make a classic limoncello liqueur, you will require the following ingredients:
- Lemon rind
- Alcohol
- Water
- Sugar
Limoncello alcohol content
As mentioned above, in the recipes, the homemade limoncello alcohol content should end up being at least 24% alcohol minimum. This is enough to preserve and stabilise the limoncello without permanently keeping it in the refrigerator. The alcohol content of most brands of limoncello is between 24% and 32%. Most brands tend to be in the 20% range, around 26%-29% alcohol by volume. Some limoncello recipes have up to 47% alcohol!
Lemonade with the juice
All the lemon juice can be used in several recipes. Therefore, you can try making homemade lemon curd or a batch of lemonade or freeze the juice for later.
Where to buy pure alcohol for limoncello
Where to buy pure alcohol for limoncello is a common question for Australian makers of limoncello. Harris Organic pure alcohol is available from their online store in 200 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL bottles. Delivery is available within Australia.
Where to buy limoncello – Australia
If you don’t have the time, there are several places to buy limoncello if you are unable to make your own. Try Don Giovanni Limoncello Liqueur or Ambra Limoncello. Both are available in Australia.
