Limoncello di Capri
More than a century ago, Vincenza Canale, owner of one of the first hotels on the island of Capri, offered her guests a small glass of lemon liqueur as an after-dinner drink, or digestivo. The fame of this lemony nectar soon spread amongst travelers, writers, and other guests who visited Capri. By faithfully following Vincenza Canale's original recipe, her descendants now produce the liqueur known worldwide as Limoncello di Capri.
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... made exclusively with lemons of Sorrento. These lemons are characterized by their low-acid juice and exceptionally fine essential oils in the peel. Many who have tried to duplicate the magic of Limoncello have yet to match the perfect fusion of color and flavor that distinguish Limoncello di Capri.
Making Your Own Limoncello
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
The Recipe
This recipe by Riccardo Baracchi was featured in the Frances Mayes' bestseller, 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.
Frances Mayes & Tuscany
Support the ASPCA
Under the Tuscan Sun : At Home in Italy
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008) 
Bella Tuscany
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
In Tuscany
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Bringing Tuscany Home: Sensuous Style From the Heart of Italy
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 12/02/2008)
Bringing Tuscany Home (Conran Octopus General)
Amazon Price: $28.24 (as of 12/02/2008)
Got Fresh Lemons?
Support the ASPCA
Gourmet Holiday Gift Basket - Chef Select Sweet Meyer Lemons
Amazon Price: $36.95 (as of 12/02/2008)
The Ultimate Citrus Bar
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 12/02/2008)
Sweet Meyer Lemon Mini Pack
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 12/02/2008)
Melissa's Fresh Lemons Meyer (5 lb)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Making Limoncello Step-By-Step
Click on any image to enlarge
Start with organic lemons
Gently wash fruit
Peel away zest, the outside yellow layer
Scrape the pith off the rinds
The rinds of almost 30 lemons
Reserve lemons for other uses
Put peels in large container with vodka
Cover, leave in a cool place for several days
Prepare simple syrup of sugar and water
Strain lemon-scented alcohol mixture
Mix lemony alcohol into cooled syrup
Pour mixture into bottles
Let sit for several days
Enjoy!
Lemon Zesters & Peelers
Support the ASPCA
Oxo Good Grips Lemon Zester
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
KitchenAid Lemon Zester, Red
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Firm Grip Zester/Lemon Peeler
Amazon Price: $7.39 (as of 12/02/2008)
6" Lemon Peeler with Zester (13-0368)
Amazon Price: $2.03 (as of 12/02/2008)
A Brief History of Limoncello
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Limoncello [limon'tl?o] is a lemon liqueur 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.
Summertime Sipping
Summer is the perfect time for treating your guests to delicious and refreshing Limoncello over ice. Better yet, serve a batch of 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! Serve Your Limoncello in Style
Support the ASPCA
![TOSCANA Limoncello Set (6 Cups + decanter) [Prod. 1900/SET-SIC]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4154E52HDJL._SL160_.jpg)
TOSCANA Limoncello Set (6 Cups + decanter) [Prod. 1900/SET-SIC]
Amazon Price: $178.00 (as of 12/02/2008)
Serve limoncello the Italian way. This lovely decanter from Artistica Italian Ceramics measures 12-inches high, and is accompanied by six serving glasses. It's fully glazed inside and out, and 100% dishwasher safe. If you love Limoncello, this is a great item for your kitchen and home decor. TIP: Keep Limoncello in the freezer until ready to serve.
More Lemony Yumminess
Support the ASPCA
Kuchen Meister Limoncello Liqueur Cake
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
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.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Lemony Fashions
Support the ASPCA
Some Lemons On Your Kids T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Awesome Lemons Yellow T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Squeeze Me Jr. Raglan
Price: 21.99
Powered By lemons Yellow T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Leader Vintage Fruit Crate La Ringer T
Price: 19.99
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.
Inside the Famous Blue Grotto
A 'Must Do' in Capri
Discover the Amalfi Coast
Support the ASPCA
Sunflower Guide Sorrento, Amalfi & Capri: Car Tours and Walks (Sunflower Guides) (Sunflower Guides)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Michelin In Your Pocket Naples, Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast, 1e (In Your Pocket)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Time Out Naples: Capri, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast (Time Out Guides)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/02/2008)
Adventure Guide Naples, Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast: Capri, Ischia, Pompeii, Positano (Adventure Guides Series) (Adventure Guides Series)
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/02/2008)
The Wonders of the Amalfi Coast: Capri, Ischia, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento (Italian Regions)
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 12/02/2008)
Experience the Beauty of Italy
- Time For Travel
- Check out our booking engine directory.
- Time For Travel on Squidoo
- We have everything you need to plan your next trip!
- 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.
Benvenuto!
Have you ever tried Limoncello?
SaraMu wrote...
I spent a summer in Italy and lemonciello really was part of my daily life there. Wonderful idea for a lens. Makes me want some. Yum:0
Posted November 26, 2008
surfchicky23 wrote...
Quite an extensive post on a lemony beverage. Looks deliciously juicy.
Posted September 18, 2008
Justin P. wrote
Wow! I love Italy! I went to school for some time in Switzerland, Lugano to be exact and loved this Lens. High 5 to you! Internet Marketing Blog
Posted August 26, 2008
inese_millere wrote...
Limoncello tastes gorgeous! Great lens! Greetings from hot, hot Italy!
Inese
Posted August 07, 2008
EverythingMouse wrote...
What amazing pictures here. I would love to stay in that hotel in Rome!
Posted July 13, 2008
beachbum_gabby wrote...
never thought there are lots of recipes can be done with Limoncello. Place and foods are very tempting.
Posted July 07, 2008
PainLizard wrote...
Hi,
I love your lens. Given you 5 stars.
Check out my 1st lens "Weight Loss and Back Pain".
Thank you.
Posted July 06, 2008
Keaka77
This recipe sounds amazing..I will be making this tonight..On my way to the store...
tattoo designs
Posted June 26, 2008
kohuether wrote...
Lens makes my mouth water for Italy! All that's missing is a limoncello recipe. :)
Posted June 25, 2008
Thank You, Cabaret Squidoo!
Limoncello di Capri was recently featured on a new blog by writer and lensmaster, rms. For interactive cooking fun, be sure to visit and participate in Cabaret Squidoo. It's truly a feast for the eyes!-
Cabaret Squidoo
-
Looking for fantastic recipes served up in an entertaining way? Visit Cabaret Squidoo to find the best of the best Squidoo Recipe lenses. The Cabaret Squidoo blog features interactive recipes served up by Squidoo's favorite cooks. Cabaret Squidoo -...">
Dedicated to the ASPCA
This lens supports the ASPCA in their fight against animal cruelty. Squidoo makes it easy to help. You can build a lens to support the ASPCA, or visit the ASPCA home page for additional information on how to make the world a better place for animals. Please Support the ASPCA
The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and we continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it's saving a pet who has been accidentally poisoned, fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse or sharing resources wi
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCreative Commons License
Plagiarism is No Laughing Matter
© 2008 Kim GiancaterinoThis work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-
No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
