Limoncello

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy. It is also produced in Abruzzo, Basilicata, Apulia, Sicily, Sardinia, Menton in France, and the Maltese island of Gozo. In northern Italy, the liqueur is often called limoncino. Limoncello is also popular as a homemade liqueur. It is typically with an alcohol content of 26-30%

The precise origin of the drink is subject to debate but is at least one hundred years old.

Traditionally, limoncello is made from the zest of Femminello lemons, also known as Sorrento or sfusato lemons. The lemon zest or peels without the pith are steeped in alcohol until the oil is released. The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with a simple syrup. Changes in the ratio of sugar to water and temperature affect the clarity, viscosity, and flavor. The cloudiness of limoncello is the result of spontaneous reaction of the sugar syrup and the extracted lemon oils.

There are many versions of limoncello on sale. These include pistachiocello (with a pistachio nut flavor), meloncello (flavored with muskmelon) and fragoncello (strawberry flavored). A version with milk instead of simple syrup also exists - the drink is known as crema di limoncello.

The most famous brands include: Caravella Limoncello, Limoncello di Capri, Villa Massa, Luxardo, Pallini Limoncello, Bella Verde, Sorrento Nature.