Make limoncello!
Please! I implore you! I love limoncello.
Years ago, I watched Samantha Brown visit the Amalfi Coast on her television show. She went to a lemon grove and sampled limoncello. As I recall, she didn’t like it. I think it’s a pretty polarizing drink. Still, when we decided to travel to Sorrento, it seemed like something we had to do. So we stopped at I Giardini di Cataldo where we could see them produce the drink and sample their products. We ended up carrying out 2 bottles each and shipping another 6 bottles home.
You’d have thought we could only get limoncello in Italy. Luckily, that’s not so. I have found several bottles here in the States and have tried many different brands. None come close to tasting as heavenly as that first sip in Sorrento.
What makes the Sorrento limoncello so special? I have to think it’s the St. Therese lemon zest they use. Or the rectified spirits they steep it with. I suppose I could try making my own here at home with vodka, lemons, sugar, and water. But first, someone hand me some lemons. Quick! I’m down to the last mountainous pile life doled out…
How about you? Limoncello – yay or nay?
Browsing The Atlas 
A vehement and wholehearted yay! I love your new ending to the adage: When life hands you lemon. One of my new friends in Seattle is mostly Italian, and she brought homemade limoncello to the last mom’s night. 🙂 We were like, hooray for having Italian friends! 🙂
You sound like the wisest moms I’ve ever heard of— knowing you need a night to yourselves and enjoying one of the lemony pleasures of life. 🙂
I first tasted Limoncello at a restaurant in St Marc’s Square. Loved it. 🙂
It seems like a perfect summery drink in a picturesque spot. And then it gets cold and I think, I need a taste of summer. 😉
Limoncello isn’t my thing. When I first tried it, I thought it tasted like cough medicine. Must be all that vitamin C !
I have now tried many different brands. It’s amazing how different they can taste. The best is like a strong candied lemonade. The worst tastes like Pledge. I happen to love cough syrup, so that experience wouldn’t have lost me. 😉
Never tried it. I’ve always loved lemons. I used to eat them all the time as a kid. But when it comes to lemon, sugar, and alcohol…that’s usually too much for me. Makes my mouth pucker just thinking about it! 🙂
The funny thing is, I don’t like lemony stuff in general. Lemon meringue pie and things like that don’t appeal to me at all. But drinking lemonade or limoncello is a whole different story.
Nay, I’m afraid. Tried it in Amalfi and it just wasn’t my thing. (But then again, no liquor is.) But that just means more for you! 😀
I like the way you think, Kristan. 🙂
Awesome blog, looking forward to more 🙂
I’m not sure why but I was under the impression for the longest time that you don’t drink it straight but either mix it with something else or (blasphemy!) dilute it. Clearly, I was just deluded. I’ve got a small bottle at home that a friend gave to me as a souvenir from a trip to Italy and was wondering what the heck to do with it. I guess I just down it? 🙂
I think you drink it straight. I can’t imagine what you’d dilute it with, though to each his own, right? But I recommend you chill it first. More refreshing that way.
Does it taste as good as it did in Sorrento? Or did it lose something away from its home region?
What a good question. I’m sure we’ll never exactly capture the spirit of tasting it in Sorrento, sitting outside at small cafes. But drinking it with family makes it taste just as delicious and takes us back to our time there. I think the flavor is the same since I stick to my two favorite brands, but it’s not *quite* the same experience.
The lady whom I was staying with in Italy a couple of years ago made her own limoncello and it was heavenly, although incredibly strong. I love Sorrento, it’s such a pretty place and with such wonderful gelato.
Yes, limoncello is very strong. I think that’s why it can taste heavenly or taste like Lemon Pledge. You definitely need an expert to make it right.
As far as gelato — is there such a thing as bad gelato anywhere?? 🙂
Oh, this makes me want to pick up and go! I LOVE Italy! Thanks for sharing, and letting us all tag along.