Limoncello di Capri
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Limoncello di Capri
Limoncello gained popularity more than a century ago, when Vincenza Canale, who operated a hotel on the island of Capri, offered her guests a small glass of lemon liqueur as an after-dinner drink, or digestivo. The fame of the lemony nectar soon spread among travelers and guests who visited Capri, including several writers who were instrumental in sharing their love for Limoncello with their readers. Vincenza Canale's original recipe has remained unaltered over the past century, and her descendants continue to produce the liqueur known throughout the world as Limoncello di Capri. Limoncello is very easy to make, requiring only four ingredients: lemons, vodka, sugar, and water. The recipe shared below was taken from Frances Mayes' bestseller, In Tuscany. Our family had fun making Limoncello from this recipe, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.

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When in Rome...
My husband and I were vacationing with friends in Rome, and stopped for dinner at one of the many outdoor cafes surrounding our hotel. After a delicious meal, the proprietor joined our table and set out a tray of grappa and Limoncello. We all loved the tasty combination and the ritual of sipping the liqueur from tall, slender glasses.
Capri: The Birthplace of Limoncello
The following day we traveled to the island of Capri, where Limoncello originated more than one hundred years earlier. We learned that more than 70,000 bottles of Limoncello di Capri are produced each year by the factory in Anacapri. The liqueur is made exclusively with lemons of Sorrento, which are characterized by low-acid juice and exceptionally fine essential oils in the peel. Today, there are many producers of Limoncello, but few can match the perfect fusion of color and flavor that distinguish Limoncello di Capri.
Making Your Own Limoncello
Lemons, Vodka, Sugar and Water ... That's It!
My mother found a wonderful Limoncello recipe while reading In Tuscany by Frances Mayes. We have an ancient, but treasured lemon tree in our backyard and decided to attempt a batch ourselves. My husband's mother was staying with us at the time, so it became a family affair, each of us taking turns stirring the lemony mixture with a wooden spoon. Most of our Limoncello was distributed to family and friends, accompanied by a bottle of grappa, to be enjoyed the Italian way.
Riccardo's Limoncello Recipe
Frances Mayes' In Tuscany
8 organic lemons
1 quart vodka
14 ounces sugar
1 quart bottled water, brought to a simmer
Peel the lemons, leaving a little white attached to the peel. Reserve the lemons for other uses. Put the peels in a large container together with the vodka, close it well, and leave it in a cool place for at least 4 days, preferably a week. Gently shake a couple times a day. The peels will lose their brilliant yellow color.
On the fifth day or later, prepare a syrup of the sugar and hot water, making sure the syrup never quite boils. Stir and simmer 5 minutes, then after the sugar has dissolved, allow the syrup to cool. Strain the lemon-scented alcohol through cheesecloth or a strainer, discard the lemon peels, and mix the alcohol into the syrup. Shake well before bottling. Let the limoncello sit for 2 to 3 days. Serve cold as an apertif. Makes 2 quarts.
In Tuscany
A Collection by Frances Mayes
Limoncello di Capri
A Few Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy, mainly in the region around the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the coast of Amalfi and islands of Procida, Ischia and Capri, but also in Sicily, Sardinia, Menton in France and the Maltese island of Gozo. It is made from lemon rinds (traditionally from the Sorrento lemon, though most lemons will produce satisfactory limoncello), alcohol, water, and sugar. It is bright yellow in color, sweet and lemony, but not sour since it contains no lemon juice.
Unlike many other liqueurs, limoncello is easy and inexpensive to produce, requiring only sugar, water, lemon zest, alcohol, and time to mature. Homemade limoncello often has a stronger, more pronounced lemon flavor than brands sold in stores. To do this, pure 96% alcohol must be used and it should be diluted only after extraction, as 40% vodka does not extract all the oil flavors from the peel.
Different varieties of lemon are used to produce different flavors. The variety of lemon used is usually dictated by region. Various alcohols can be used to give distinct flavors. A higher proof alcohol maximizes extraction of the lemon flavor, whereas darker alcohols add complexity of flavor. Higher quality sugars used in the infusion process create a sweeter liqueur.
Try Danny DeVito's Premium Limoncello...
Made Exclusively from Sorrento Lemons
Serve Your Limoncello in Style
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Bormioli Rocco Limoncino Cordial Green Footed Shot Glasses, Set of 6
Amazon Price: $14.89 (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
Product Features: Glass holds 2-1/4-ounce, comes in a set of 6. Glass features a lime green stem, safe in the dishwasher for convenient cleanup. Made in Italy.
Limoncello ... Not Just for Sipping
Lemon Sorbet Drizzled with Limoncello and Blueberries
More Lemony Yumminess
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Kuchen Meister Limoncello Liqueur Cake - pack of 2
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
This Limoncello liqueur cake is a delicious fresh baked vanilla cake, refined with original Limoncello liqueur. The cake is attractively packaged and imported from Germany. It makes a perfect holiday dessert gift.
Limoncello Gourmet Items on Amazon
Limoncello di Capri
Caprese al Limoncello
Summertime Sipping
Limoncello Spritzers
The party planning professionals at Partybluprints.com have included this recipe in one of their summer party plans. If you're passionate about parties, you'll love this lens ... it's packed with entertaining tips!
Nonalcoholic Limoncello Soda
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Sopranos LIMONCELLO SODA "Molto Limone!", 12-Ounce Glass Bottle (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
Sopranos Limoncello Soda is a delightful nonalcoholic adaptation made with real lemon juice and natural sugar. Sopranos is the first to offer this world famous flavor as a carbonated soda.
Limoncello Links
- Limoncello di Capri
- At the start of the last century, Vincenza Canale, owner of a pensione on the island of Capri, was the first to offer Limoncello to her guests. Her descendants formed Limoncello di Capri in 1988, the first company to patent and use the word Limoncello.
- Frances Mayes Official Website
- Frances Mayes has written several books about Tuscany and often shares her passion for Italy in a number of food and travel publications.
- Limoncello Delicatessen
- For a unique online shopping experience, try none other than Limoncello, an Italian delicatessen in Cambridge, England.
Experience the Beauty of Italy
- Hotel Morgana ~ Rome
- We stayed in this lovely hotel in Rome, conveniently located within walking distance to the train station. We highly recommend their full-day excursion to Naples, Capri and Anacapri, which includes a delicious lunch and a quick stop in Sorrento.
Who's Tweeting About Limoncello?
Twitter Users Love Limoncello!
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tonigrundstrom
Feb 12, 2012 @ 4:49 am | delete
- Love this lens. Blessed by a SquidAngel.
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fullofshoes
Feb 9, 2012 @ 9:19 am | delete
- One word for your lens! "Inviting!!" I loved it.
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flicker
Feb 5, 2012 @ 9:50 am | delete
- Lemon Sorbet Drizzled with Limoncello and Blueberries - that sounds like my kind of dessert! Looks yummy.
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Adamophoto Feb 3, 2012 @ 11:03 pm | delete
- We make our own every year, we use it to cook with, make cookies, cakes and more!
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flycatcher
Feb 2, 2012 @ 10:02 am | delete
- Lovely! Limoncello looks like sunshine in a bottle. :)
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Courtesies
Limoncello Photographs Used Under Creative Commons (Flickr)
SquidArt Courtesy of tagsforkids
Limoncello Ceramic Jar Photograph by morgan.davis
Limoncello of Sorrento Photograph by Savannah Grandfather
Limoncello Cream Photograph by Jason
Limoncello Bottles Photograph by chakote
Limoncello Bowl Photograph by designatednaphour
Capri Rocks Photograph by Paul Resh
Capri Green Door Photograph by NileGuide.com
Capri Blue Grotto Boats Photograph by NileGuide.com
Capri Blue Grotto Cave Entrance Photograph by NileGuide.com
Capri Blue Grotto Photograph by NileGuide.com
Capri Cliffs Photograph by theritters
Capri Arbor Photograph by theritters
Capri Harbor Photograph by NileGuide.com
Capri Ruins Photograph by NileGuide.com
Capri Vista and Urn Photograph by NileGuide.com
Sorrento Balcony Photograph by Gosewisch Family
Sorrento Lemon Trees Photograph by Tokuriki
Sorrento Harbor Photograph by robbie jim
Sorrento Stairway Photograph by Savannah Grandfather
Sorrento Path Photograph by Boobooo
Sorrento Cliff Photograph by robbie jim
Sorrento Market Photograph by Savannah Grandfather
Sorrento Church Photograph by Savannah Grandfather
Sorrento Swimming Photograph by Savannah Grandfather
Sorrento and Vesuvius Photograph by robbie jim
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