An Italian recipe content creator has shared a video showing how to make authentic homemade limoncello, which is perfect for enjoying as an after-dinner drink or in cocktails
Nothing says holiday vibes quite like enjoying a delicious shot of limoncello after you finish your evening meal.
This zesty liqueur, which hails from Italy, is famed for its role as an after-dinner treat, as it acts as the ideal palate cleanser thanks to the lemony taste as well as aiding digestion.
But did you know how easy it is to whip up your own batch at home? One TikTokker recently made a video talking viewers through the whole process, which only requires three ingredients – although there’s one element that might make you think twice.
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The tutorial by Cooking With Ayeh has become quite the hit, amassing over 623,000 views currently. She says in her caption: “Authentic Homemade Limoncello! You won’t believe how easy it is to make. It’s refreshing and bright, and takes you straight to Italy with every sip.”
DIY enthusiasts rejoice – concocting it within the comfort of your kitchen slashes costs compared to splashing out on shop-bought offerings, as it boils down to merely three simple ingredients. Plus, you can be doubly sure there are no added preservatives, reports Wales Online.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Whether you’re knocking back a shot post-meal or mixing up a storm for that limoncello spritz, this homemade delight even jazzes up your desserts – think sumptuous limoncello-infused cheesecake.
All you need to whip up this classic drink are lemons, sugar, and high-percentage alcohol like vodka – ideally 95 percent. It sounds straightforward enough, but there’s a catch – it takes about 25 days to prep the lemons.
But don’t worry, during this period, you won’t have to lift a finger. Simply peel eight lemons, place the skins in a large jar, pour in a litre of alcohol, seal it up, and let it sit until the time is up.
Once the lemon peels have sufficiently infused the alcohol, it’s time for the next step. Strain the mixture into a large bowl using a sieve, then head over to your stove and fill a large pot with 1.1 litres of water on medium heat.
When tiny bubbles start to form – but before it boils – add 1.1kg of white sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon until it dissolves, then turn off the heat after about two minutes. Continue stirring until all the sugar has completely dissolved.
After it cools down a bit, add the lemon-infused alcohol and give it another stir. Let it cool to room temperature, then carefully pour the limoncello into glass bottles using a funnel.
Tighten the lids securely, chill in the fridge for a few hours, and you’re ready to serve. Many viewers were amazed at how easy it was to make this traditional beverage, with several expressing their eagerness to try it out.
“It’s THAT easy?! ” one shocked observer exclaimed, while another added: “My dad decided to make some this year and it came out perfect.”
“Definitely I’m gonna make some before Xmas,” chimed in a third, already inspired.
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