Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (2024)

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Seriously, making Sous Vide Limoncello couldn't be easier. You also only need 4 ingredients. AND it's delicious!

And sure, it's delicious when made the traditional way, too. But sometimes we want our limoncello and we want it now. Or, like 2 hours from now.

Looking for ways to use this limoncello? Try my Limoncello Spritz or Limoncello Martini recipes!

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (1)
Jump to:
  • 🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 💭 What is limoncello?
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 🍋 Why make limoncello using sous vide?
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make limoncello using sous vide
  • 🍋 What should I do with all of those lemons that I zested?
  • 🔗 More infused alcohol recipes
  • 🍸 What should I make with this limoncello?
  • ❓ FAQs
  • 🖤 Share your creations and follow me on social media!
  • ✨ Recipe
  • 📌 Pin this recipe for later!

🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's very easy to make. This recipe is truly easy to make. The vast majority of the time is spent totally hands-off.
It tastes great. This limoncello is sweet, citrusy, and boozy.
It's fast! This method for making limoncello is WAY faster than if you'd make it the traditional way.

💭 What is limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur. It's primarily produced in southern Italy (but you can make it at home, too!).

Traditionally, a neutral grain alcohol is allowed to infuse with lemon zest (for weeks or months) before straining out the zest and combining the resulting infusion with simple syrup.

It's often served chilled as an after-dinner digestivo. But it also makes a delicious addition to cocktails.

📝 Ingredients

You only need 4 ingredients to make sweet, delicious limoncello. They are:

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (2)
  • Lemon zest: It's a lot of lemon zest. Make sure to only remove the yellow zest, and avoid the white pith, which is bitter.
  • Vodka: You don't have to go all out here. No need to pick up a bottle of Belvedere or anything. But make sure that you use a decent vodka; something that you wouldn't mind using in a mixed drink.
  • Simple syrup: Made from plain old water and granulated sugar.
Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (3)

🍋 Why make limoncello using sous vide?

Time!

Using conventional limoncello preparation methods, you would allow the lemon zest to infuse the vodka for weeks or months. Months! Who has time for that?

However, making limoncello using your sous vide means that it will come together SO much more quickly. We're talking in like a little more than two hours. You can't beat that.

👩🏻‍🍳 How to make limoncello using sous vide

So, how do you do it? Let's walk through the steps.

Wash and zest your lemons

You'll want to start by washing and scrubbing your lemons really well. This is because most lemons that you'll get at the grocery store are coated in wax.

Once your lemons are squeaky clean, you'll want to remove the zest from all of the lemons. You can either use a microplane to zest the lemons or a vegetable peeler. Whichever method you use, try to make sure that you're only removing the yellow zest, and not the bitter white pith that's underneath.

Place all of the zest in the bottom of a quart Mason jar. I use a wide-mouth variety, and really like them.

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (4)

Next: add the vodka

Once the lemons have been zested, you'll fill the Mason jar with plain vodka.

I'm of the opinion that you don't necessarily need to use top shelf vodka here. No need to break out the Grey Goose or Belvedere (though I'm sure both would yield a lovely end product). I tend to stick with a more middle-of-the-road, but still good quality vodka, like Smirnoff. Use something that you would feel good about using in a mixed drink.

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (5)

Put the Mason jar into the water bath

You'll start by screwing a lid onto the Mason jar, finger tight. Preheat your water bath to 135 degrees F and submerge the jar in the water. "Cook" for 2 hours.

If you're looking for a sous vide/immersion circulator, check out this one from Anova. I have the model that was available just before this one.

After that, the process is as simple as allowing the contents of the jar to cool, straining out and discarding the peels, and mixing the vodka with simple syrup.

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (6)

How should I store my limoncello?

I like to store mine right in the Mason jar in which it was "cooked". But you can put it in any airtight container that makes sense/suits your needs. Put it in tiny glass bottles and give it away as delicious gifts!

Regardless, store it in the fridge.

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (7)

🍋 What should I do with all of those lemons that I zested?

This Sweet and Tart Homemade Lemonade is a good place to start! Homemade Lemon Curd is also a good bet, though you will need to zest a few more lemons.

The Hollandaise sauce on these Crab Cakes Eggs Florentine also use a little lemon juice. AND the Hollandaise is made with the sous vide.

🔗 More infused alcohol recipes

Looking for more infused alcohol recipes? Click on any of the photos below to be taken straight to the recipe.

  • Strawberry Vodka
  • Raspberry Vodka
  • Cherry Vodka
  • Jalapeño Tequila

🍸 What should I make with this limoncello?

Wondering what you should make with this limoncello? Click on any of the photos below to go straight to the recipe. They're all winners!

  • Limoncello Spritz
  • Limoncello Martini
  • Limoncello Gin Collins

❓ FAQs

What is limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that's usually served chilled as an after-dinner digestivo.

How should I store my limoncello?

In the fridge in an airtight container.

What kind of alcohol should I use to make my limoncello?

You can use grain alcohol (like Everclear) or a high proof plain vodka.

What should I do with my limoncello?

You can drink it on its own, chilled, or add it to a variety of cocktails.

✨ Recipe

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (15)

Sous Vide Limoncello

Lauren Pacek

Seriously, making Sous Vide Limoncello couldn't be easier. You also only need 4 ingredients. AND it's delicious!

4.45 from 92 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Cocktails

Cuisine Italian

Servings 32

Calories 117 kcal

Ingredients

  • zest of 10 lemons see notes
  • 4 cups vodka see notes
  • 2 cups simple syrup

Instructions

  • Place the lemon zest in a quart Mason jar. Fill with vodka. Place the lid on the jar and tighten to finger tight.

  • Set your sous vide to 135 degrees F.

  • Once preheated, place the Mason jar in the water and cook for 2 hours.

  • After 2 hours, allow the limoncello to cool to room temperature.

  • Allow the limoncello to cool a bit before straining the lemon zest from the limoncello and combining the vodka mixture and simple syrup.

  • Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Make sure to really scrub the lemons in order to remove the wax that's on the skin.
  • Personally, I don't think that you need to go all out and use top shelf liquor. However, I wouldn't use well vodka, either. Something middle of the road (that you'd feel good about using in a mixed drink) will work. I used Smirnoff.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5ounceCalories: 117kcalCarbohydrates: 12gFat: 0.04gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 12gCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.01mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks (2024)

FAQs

Limoncello Recipe (made with sous vide!) – A Nerd Cooks? ›

I find that two weeks works well using Everclear and my Eureka lemons. A lower proof vodka will mean that you may need an additional week or more to reach maximum lemon flavor. Don't worry about how much time your bottle is sitting out infusing, the high proof liquor will prevent mold from growing.

Is it better to use vodka or Everclear for limoncello? ›

I find that two weeks works well using Everclear and my Eureka lemons. A lower proof vodka will mean that you may need an additional week or more to reach maximum lemon flavor. Don't worry about how much time your bottle is sitting out infusing, the high proof liquor will prevent mold from growing.

What is the highest alcohol content in limoncello? ›

Most limoncello is bottled between 28 percent and 32 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 56 to 64 proof). It is possible to make your own limoncello using high-proof neutral grain alcohol (Everclear and vodka are popular choices).

Why is my homemade limoncello bitter? ›

Wash the lemons thoroughly in warm water, and rinse well. Remove the zest (only the zest - the yellow part) from the lemons. Try not to get any of the white pith that's under the yellow zest, because the pith makes the limoncello taste bitter.

Can you get drunk off limoncello? ›

As limoncello has a relatively high ABV, you can indeed get drunk off limoncello. It is for this reason that we encourage you to take care and drink responsibly.

Why don't you use lemon juice in limoncello? ›

Variation: Adding Lemon Juice

This will make the finished beverage more cloudy, while at the same time adding a sour note to the sweet, boozy lemon liqueur. The more juice you add, the more sour the finished liquid will become. We couldn't decide which method we liked better—so we did both!

What does limoncello mean in Italian? ›

The term limoncello derives from a term of endearment for the word lemon. For some, it referred to a smaller type of lemons, such as lime. In 1691, they used the word limoncello to mean the “cedar water”.

Which is the best limoncello to buy? ›

Top 5 Limoncello Products
  1. Luxardo. Limoncello Liqueur. 70cl. Kosher. What people say. ...
  2. Santa Marta. Limoncello. 50cl. What people say. 25 reviews from 2 shops. ...
  3. Tosolini. Limoncello Liqueur. 70cl. What people say. 61 reviews from 3 shops. ...
  4. Pallini. Limoncello Liqueur. 50cl. Vegan. Kosher. ...
  5. Limonce. Limoncello. 500ml. What people say.

Can you oversteep limoncello? ›

Don't oversteep!

My Recipes tell us that in doing so, the oil trapped in the skins of the lemons will slowly release, infusing the alcohol with the fruit's flavor and vibrant color! After this successful steeping process is when simple syrup is added to the maker's liking to sweeten up the bottle.

What to do with lemon peels after making limoncello? ›

If you have extra rinds on your hands from preserving lemons and you've already made vats of limoncello, you can cut those rinds into smaller pieces and stuff them into your jars of preserved lemons for bonus pieces. But enough about the preserved lemons. Today, limoncello enjoys its day in the spotlight.

Can limoncello grow mold? ›

The alcohol prevents any mold or other bacteria from growing on the fruit. Once strained, the limoncello can be kept in the freezer for at least a year, and likely much longer. If your limoncello is over a year old, discard it if it tastes off or you see any mold growing in the bottle.

Why is my homemade limoncello cloudy? ›

Limoncello cloudiness comes from what is generally called Louching, where some of the oils that are soluble in alcohol but not in water come out of solution as it is diluted.

What is the difference between limoncello and limoncello? ›

Well, yes and no — while both drinks are made from essentially the same ingredients, they have different names. And like most things Italian, it's a regional thing. In the North, around the Portofino/Cinque Terre region (close to Lucca), it's Limoncino. In the South, around Naples/Sorrento, it's Limoncello.

What are the two types of limoncello? ›

Sorrento & Sfusato lemons

Limoncello may not be a protected term, but true limoncello liqueurs are only made using the peel of one of two varieties of lemon, Sfusato and Sorrento.

Can you put ice in limoncello? ›

Drinking Tips

It should be noted that Limoncello is not usually served with ice. A frozen drink and chilled glass are cold enough, while ice would simply dilute the flavour. It is common to fill a glass with crushed ice to chill it, but the ice must be disposed of before the Limoncello is poured.

What proof should limoncello be? ›

The alcohol content of most commercially available brands of limoncello is between 24% to 32% (48-64 proof). Most brands tend to land in the high 20% range, around 27%-29% alcohol by volume.

Does quality of vodka matter for limoncello? ›

I've found though that vodka has a flavor of its own that is imparted and I'm not a big fan of that. However, it is much better than nothing so the next best thing is 100 proof, mid-grade vodka. If you must, use the 80 proof but more potent liquor is better.

Does vodka and Everclear taste the same? ›

Everclear tastes more like ethanol than vodka does, simply because that is what it is. If you want to compare their qualities, dilute the Everclear to 40% ABV with distilled water and then compare the taste. Without dilution it will taste much hotter and more peppery because it has so much higher % alcohol.

What makes a good limoncello? ›

Limoncello: tangy, refreshing, and perfectly balanced

Generally lighter than its counterparts, limoncello isn't sour or bitter. It's tangy and refreshing. It's also balanced between acidity and sweetness; while the best limoncellos don't burn your throat, neither are they sickly sweet.

References

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