# Homemade limoncello? Have you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [June 15, 2025, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652 "2025-06-15T05:13:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/21 "2025-07-01T14:21:21Z")
Using the blender dramatically increases the surface area of the zest, resulting in a reduced seeping time. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/22 "2025-07-01T14:29:44Z")
My recipe doesn’t call for that. I may try it for future batches. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2025, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/23 "2025-07-13T04:58:32Z")
Only 17 days to go: limoncello, orangecello [![](https://i.imgur.com/vPYz2hi.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/vPYz2hi.jpeg) [![](https://i.imgur.com/Gdja5H6.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Gdja5H6.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/24 "2025-07-13T14:52:44Z")
I pulled mine last weekend, ran it through a fine-mesh strainer, and then through a basket coffee filter. I then added 12 fl oz simple syrup - the uncut was about 10 fl oz. I estimate the final mixture was about 35% APV. I’ve been enjoying it over ice with a splash of soda water. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/25 "2025-07-13T14:56:31Z")
Important tip: do not forget the simple syrup. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lbCd-eFQllM/maxresdefault.jpg "Man Tasting Homemade Limoncello - with subtitles") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbCd-eFQllM) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/26 "2025-07-14T11:41:13Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I pulled mine last weekend, ran it through a fine-mesh strainer, and then through a basket coffee filter. I then added 12 fl oz simple syrup - the uncut was about 10 fl oz. > > I estimate the final mixture was about 35% APV. I’ve been enjoying it over ice with a splash of soda water. You don’t keep your bottle in the freezer? That’s where I keep mine. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/27 "2025-07-14T14:32:04Z")
There is a very good reason I’ve not been doing that: I didn’t think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/28 "2025-07-14T14:51:36Z")
🫡 Gotcha ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/29 "2025-07-14T16:30:03Z")
I leave my store-bought vodka, gin, tequila, & rums in the freezer. Mixers live in the fridge. Makes for much nicer mixed drinks in my warm climate. The ice in a drink made with cold ingredients melts much more slowly while you still enjoy a very chill non-diluted beverage. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/30 "2025-07-14T16:47:25Z")
I keep my very small selection in the freezer. I also keep some whiskey stones in the freezer. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/31 "2025-07-14T17:00:36Z")
I do keep my premade martinis in the freezer. I dunno why the limoncello didn’t occur to me. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/32 "2025-07-14T18:03:18Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I also keep some whiskey stones in the freezer. I have bought a variety of such things in the past. Granite, stainless steel, etc. I’ve found their cold retention (heat absorption really) capacity to be pitiful compared to water ice. For very well-understood physics reasons. As a practical matter they just get in the damned way of drinking and don’t provide meaningful amounts of cold. Does anyone else concur or dissent? And ideas for better more effective stones? Do you have something that _really_ works for you, or are they all sorta half-assed better-than-nothing which is my POV? For sure the ideal would be a physically & thermally thin rigid container sealed full of water or a similar substance so you can get the advantage of the latent heat of fusion without the dilution. That’s a product I’ve not seen. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/33 "2025-07-15T00:43:13Z")
Like these? > **[Amazon.com: Kikkerland Reusable Ice Cubes, Set of 30, Multicolor: Home &...](https://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-Reusable-Ice-Cubes-Multicolor/dp/B06XFKRJ8K)** > > 30 colorful ice cubes make every drink a party. Cubes are unique and effective with a splash of fun! food safe and reusable. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/34 "2025-07-15T01:01:37Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > My recipe calls for Everclear 151, but I can only get 120 at my local BevMo. I think it’s a California restriction. Incredible. It was lame enough already that they limited it to 151 (or 153, I think) as of several years ago. Everclear is supposed to be 190 proof. And now it’s down to 120? [Apparently so](https://www.abc.ca.gov/high-proof-alcoholic-beverages/). ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/35 "2025-07-15T12:29:18Z")
This thread reminded me that I need to get some spiced rum going. I didn’t have a good choice of rum and I wanted something cheap as a base. So last night, I got some 90 proof coconut rum and added a half tablespoon each of vanilla and orange extract, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and a small star of anise. I just realized that I should add a few peppercorns and some nutmeg. Next week I will give it a taste to see if it has enough spice. Although If I leave it for a few months, that should give it a good soak. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/36 "2025-07-15T15:31:49Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Everclear is supposed to be 190 proof. And now it’s down to 120? [Apparently so](https://www.abc.ca.gov/high-proof-alcoholic-beverages/). Thanks for that reference. The guy at BevMo was guessing it was a state requirement and he wasn’t sure, but we see here that it is. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/37 "2025-07-15T16:51:47Z")
Yes, California allows a lower alcohol content. Nevada is supposed to allow up to only 151 (75.5%) yet I can regularly find 190 proof at major chains. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/38 "2025-07-15T17:15:18Z")
I’ll have to keep that in mind for when I’m in Nevada next time. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/39 "2025-07-16T10:04:54Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > And now it’s down to 120? [Apparently so](https://www.abc.ca.gov/high-proof-alcoholic-beverages/). That’s a very odd web page. As i read it, it claims that you can sell high-proof alcohol in California, because it’s not a beverage, but the regulation it quotes says the opposite (as does the practice reported here). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652/40 "2025-07-16T10:37:34Z")
I did some more searching and I can’t make sense of the law, either. As best I can tell, nothing actually changed in the past 10-20 years, and yet it’s clear that you could buy Everclear 151 previously, while today you can only get 120. It seems to hinge on the definition of “simply alcohol”, which would certainly exclude rums, say (so Bacardi 151 is still sold), but Everclear is definitely just ethanol and water. Perhaps previously they slid under the law, arguing somehow that Everclear isn’t “simply alcohol” by this definition, and then they got some notice that this is no longer an acceptable interpretation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-limoncello-have-you/1019652.md?page=1)