Organic Limoncello recipe – Australia

Are you ready to embark on a tantalizing journey through the sun-soaked flavours of Australia? Organic limoncello recipe made from pure alcohol. Making your own homemade limoncello or lemoncello has become very popular now that Everclear organic alcohol is available in Australia.

Embark on a journey through the vibrant 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.

Join me, Duncan, as we delve into the art of concocting a Limoncello that resonates with the zestiness of down under.

Hold on tight as we take you on a delightful exploration of an authentic Limoncello recipe that you can try in the comfort of your own 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 rooted in the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Limoncello has become a sought-after liqueur around the world.

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?

When I was searching for zesty Limoncello recipes, I was using the wrong spelling, like, lemon cello and lemoncello. The actual spelling is limoncello as it is of Italian origin.

What is Limoncello?

What is limoncello liqueur, you may ask? Limoncello is an Italian sweet liqueur made from the rind of lemons, alcohol and sugar. There are several different recipes, see below, depending on what alcohol you use to extract the lemon skin oil from the rind.

What lemons to use?

What lemons to use? Myer and Eureka lemons are readily available in Australia, the sweeter the lemon, we believe will give you 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. 

Ideally, use homegrown 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.

pure alcohol for limoncello
pure alcohol for limoncello

What is Pure Alcohol

Pure alcohol is ethyl alcohol (ethanol) which has been distilled to make the highest alcoholic content possible. Therefore the pure alcohol has to be 190 proof or 95% alcohol by volume or higher.  Pure alcohol is ideal for making limoncello.

Pure Alcohol for limoncello

Pure Alcohol for limoncello recipe

You can use two strengths of pure alcohol for limoncello. For the best results use high proof alcohol, like 95% organic Everclear or organic vodka at 40% alcohol.

What is the best vodka for limoncello?

Australian cheap Vodka is generally 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 100 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.

How to make Limoncello in Australia

Ingredients for Limoncello Liqueur

Best Limoncello recipe with Pure 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 Australian organic vodka. The method of making organic limoncello can be found below.

  • 5 organic lemons
  • 500 mL pure organic 95% alcohol
  • 240 g granulated sugar
  • 6 cups or 1500 mL rain, drinking or bottled water

or make one litre with

  • 2 organic lemons or the best lemons from your tree
  • 250 mL Everclear 95% alcohol
  • 120 g granulated sugar
  • 3 cups or 750 mL rain, drinking or bottled water

Limoncello Recipe – Australia with Organic Vodka

This limoncello 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 will mean that it will be stable and not go off, whether you have it in the cupboard or the fridge.

  • 4 organic lemons
  • 750mL 100-proof vodka – 50% organic alcohol
  • 125g granulated sugar
  • 3 cups or 750 mL of filtered or bottled water

Directions to make Limoncello recipe

  1. 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 pairing knife.
  2. Place lemons in a large glass 2L jar or other glass containers that can be sealed airtight. Cover with the Everclear or 100 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.
  3. When the liquor is yellow and the peel begins to turn white and easily snaps into two pieces when bent, the limoncello soaking process is finished. The longer it steeps the stronger the lemon flavour of the lemon liquor will be.
  4. 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 and result in a smoother final product.
  5. 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 50C, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  6. 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.
  7. Once the limoncello has mellowed, use a funnel to divide the limoncello among some small glass bottles to give to friends. Chill in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.

Limoncello alcohol content

As mentioned above, in the recipes the homemade limoncello alcohol content should end up being about 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% to 32%. Most brands tend to be in the 20% range, around 26%-29% alcohol by volume.

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 from Australian makers of limoncello. Harris Organic pure alcohol is available from their online store in 200 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 where to buy limoncello if you are unable to make your own. Try Don Giovanni Limoncello Liqueur or Ambra Limoncello. Both are available in Australia.