Alton Brown Limoncello Recipe – Hungarian Chef

Last Updated on January 7, 2024

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing drink. One of the most popular summer drinks is limoncello, an Italian liqueur made from lemons. Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe is a classic take on this traditional Italian favorite. It’s easy to make and can be enjoyed year-round. 

So, if you’re looking for a delicious and unique drink to enjoy this summer, then look no further than Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe.

What is alton brown limoncello?

American television personality Alton Crawford Brown Jr. works as a culinary program presenter, food scientist, author, voice actor, and cinematographer.

He has many delicious recipes but the Alton Brown Limoncello Recipe is the best. The recipe is a classic, traditional Italian liqueur made from lemons. It’s an easy recipe that can be made with just a few simple ingredients. It’s a light and refreshing drink that is perfect for summer sipping.

Why You’ll Love this alton brown limoncello? 

Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe is a classic Italian favorite. It’s easy to make and can be enjoyed year-round. It’s light and refreshing, making it the perfect summer sipper. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your creative side by making your own liqueur.

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The Ingredients

• Naturally sourced mountain spring water: This water is used to create a simple syrup by dissolving organic unrefined cane sugar. Using naturally sourced mountain spring water enhances the purity and freshness of the syrup, ensuring a clean and natural sweetness that complements the citrus flavors without imparting any unwanted tastes or impurities.
• Handpicked Meyer lemons: The flavorful zest of Meyer lemons is the essence of Limoncello. The peel is used for its rich essential oils, providing a fragrant and tangy flavor. The choice of handpicked Meyer lemons ensures a distinct citrus taste and a slightly sweeter profile compared to regular lemons, enhancing the overall quality and taste of the Limoncello.
• Artisanal craft vodka: Vodka serves as the base alcohol for extracting the lemon zest’s flavors. The high proof ensures better extraction of the citrus oils and flavors from the lemon zest, resulting in a potent and robust Limoncello. The use of artisanal craft vodka offers a cleaner and more refined taste, contributing to the overall quality of the final product.
• Organic unrefined cane sugar: The organic unrefined cane sugar is used to create a simple syrup, which provides the necessary sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemon-infused vodka. Opting for organic unrefined cane sugar ensures a more natural and less processed sweetener, imparting a more complex sweetness and depth to the Limoncello, enhancing its overall quality and taste.

Directions

Step 1: Preparing the Lemons

• Wash and Peel the Lemons: Thoroughly rinse 1 pound of handpicked Meyer lemons under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Using a vegetable peeler or zester, delicately peel only the outer yellow zest of the lemons, ensuring to avoid the bitter white pith. Place the collected zest in a clean glass jar or airtight container.
• Infusing the Zest: Pour 375 ml of artisanal craft vodka over the lemon zest in the jar. Seal the container tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for an infusion period of 7-14 days. Ensure to shake the jar occasionally to facilitate proper infusion of the lemon zest into the vodka.

Step 2: Creating the Simple Syrup

• Boiling Water: Heat 1/3 cup of naturally sourced mountain spring water in a saucepan until it gently reaches a boil.
• Dissolve the Sugar: Add 1/3 cup of organic unrefined cane sugar into the boiling water, stirring continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, remove the simple syrup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Final Preparation

• Strain the Infused Vodka: After the 7-14 day infusion period, use a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to strain the lemon-infused vodka from the zest. Ensure to separate the liquid from the lemon zest.
• Combine the Infusion and Simple Syrup: Gradually pour the cooled simple syrup into the strained lemon-infused vodka, gently stirring to ensure thorough blending.
• Bottle and Chill: Transfer the blended mixture into clean glass bottles or jars with airtight lids. Seal the containers tightly and refrigerate them for an additional week, allowing the flavors to harmonize and mature.

Step 4: Serve Chilled

Chill and Serve: Once the Limoncello has had the additional chilling period, it’s ready to be enjoyed. Pour the Meyer Lemon Limoncello into chilled glasses and relish its vibrant citrus flavors. Savor it as a delightful after-dinner digestif or use it as a zesty addition to various cocktails.

Notes

• Be sure to use organic, unwaxed lemons for this recipe.

• If you don’t want to use vodka, you can substitute with grain alcohol or Everclear.
• You can also add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture for a more vibrant color.

• If you want a more intense lemon flavor, you can add a few drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture.

• Make sure you strain the mixture several times to remove all the pulp and pieces of lemon rind.

• Be sure to store the limoncello in the refrigerator at all times.

Storage Tips

Limoncello should be stored in the refrigerator at all times. It will keep for up to two months in the refrigerator. If you don’t plan on drinking it within that time frame, it can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.

Nutrition Information

One serving of Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe (2 ounces) contains about 130 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 12 grams of sugar.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled over ice.

• Mix with soda water for a lighter drink.

• Add a splash to a sparkling wine or champagne for a refreshing spritzer.

• Use it in place of vodka in a lemonade martini.

• Add it to your favorite cookie dough for a delicious lemon-flavored treat.

What other substitute can I use in Alton Brown limoncello?

• You can use grain alcohol or Everclear in place of the vodka.

• You can substitute sugar for honey or agave nectar.

• You can use orange or grapefruit rinds instead of lemon.

• You can add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture for a more vibrant color.

• You can use citrus-flavored vodka in place of regular vodka.

• You can use rosemary, lavender, or other herbs in place of the lemon zest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe last?

A1. Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe will last up to two months if stored in the refrigerator. If stored in the freezer, it can last up to a year.

Q2. Can I use other types of citrus fruits for this recipe?

A2. Yes, you can use other types of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, or limes.

Q3. Can I use other types of alcohol in this recipe?

A3. Yes, you can use other types of alcohol like grain alcohol or Everclear.

Q4. How much sugar should I use in this recipe?

A4. You should use 2 cups of granulated sugar in this recipe. You can also substitute sugar for honey or agave nectar if desired.

Q5. How long do I need to steep the lemon rinds in vodka?

A5. You need to steep the lemon rinds in vodka for four days.

Q6. Can I add other flavors to this recipe?

A6. Yes, you can add other flavors like rosemary, lavender, or other herbs in place of the lemon zest.

Q7. Can I add food coloring to the mixture?

A7. Yes, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture for a more vibrant color.

Conclusion

Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe is a classic Italian favorite. It’s easy to make and can be enjoyed year-round. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own limoncello at home. It’s light and refreshing, making it the perfect summer sipper. So, if you’re looking for a delicious and unique drink to enjoy this summer, then look no further than Alton Brown’s limoncello recipe.

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