Hello Cello!

The beginnings of PompelmoCello

The beginnings of PompelmoCello

I LOVE Limoncello. I really have a huge affinity for all things citrus, and if it’s a little boozy? All the better.

From dinners in North Beach (the Little Italy of San Francisco), to tiny little restaurants in the hills of Oulz, Italy, to my own home: finishing a meal with a little limoncello just feels right.

This summer, I’ve been obsessed with grapefruit. Give me a Paloma, A Greyhound or a New England Sour and I’m a happy girl.

I often make limoncello for gifts, and thought I’d swap out lemons for grapefruits - and see what happens.

My Typical Limoncello Recipe:

  • 8-10 lemons (organic when possible, Meyer lemons are my favorite)

  • 750ml Vodka (grain alcohol, or higher proof vodka is ideal - but your favorite vodka also works!)

  • 1.5 C sugar

  • 1 Quart Jar

  • Vegetable Peeler

Get Started

  • Peel lemons and place peels in 1 quart jar (try to avoid the pith - the white part)

  • Cover the peels with vodka

  • Let the vodka infuse with the lemon peels for at least 5 days - but I prefer to let it go for a month (the longer it infuses, the more flavor it will have)

  • Pull out the lemon peels/strain the vodka

  • Make a simple syrup (dissolve equal parts sugar into boiling water)

    • You can use anywhere from 1-4 cups sugar/water, but the more water, the more diluted your limoncello

    • I prefer 1.5 c sugar and 1.5 c water

  • Once simple syrup is cooled, mix it into lemon-vodka

  • Pour into bottles (preferably ones with a swing top)

  • Cellos can stay in the refridgerator for a month, or in the freezer for up to a year

    • Since it’s alcohol, it won’t freeze, I leave mine in the freezer as it’s best extra chilled

What do do with your favorite cello?

  • Serve it straight up, super chilled

  • Pour over ice cream, cheese cake, or grilled peaches & poundcake

    • Really over any dessert!

  • Bake with it! Cookies, Cakes, Lemon Bars - so many options

I’m currently on day 4 of my PompelmoCello and I used the peels 4 grapefruits and 750ml Titos Vodka. The color looks very similar to limoncello, but smells like grapefruits. In a couple of weeks I’ll finish it, and we’ll have the ultimate taste test! I’m thinking I also want to try with blood oranges and limes.

Have you made other types of cellos?

Cheers!

Katy

Muchly DrinksKathryn McKnightcocktails, libations, homemadeComment