Il Limoncello from the South of Italy..

Limoncello is a lemon based liqueur made in Italy, mostly famous from the South of Italy near the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrento Peninsula and the coast of Amalfi.  Many other areas also produce the delicious drink along with local Italians also making it from home.  Its a fermentation process using lemons, water, sugar and a very high percent alcohol.  The lemon peel and alcohol are left for a couple of weeks to intensify together and then mixed with the sugar and water syrup until the entire process has been completed and you are left with the most heavenly potent lemon after dinner drink.  Traditionally served chilled and if you are on the Amalfi Coast it is usually served in delicate little locally made ceramic shot glasses decorated in brightly painted yellow lemons and the traditional blue of this coastal area.

 

 

Of coarse its not just available to buy in the South of Italy, you can buy Limoncello all over Italy and will be served the delicious drink at any restaurant or bar upon request where ever you are dining. On a recent trip of mine to the wonderful Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera I was staying in the enchanting little fishing town Monterosso, whilst discovering the quaint cobble stone back streets in town I stumbled across a little factory where they make Limoncello and other delicate lemon products. The hotel where we were staying had a path leading from the top of town down some steps to the centre and the entire pathway was lined with lemon trees, full juicy lemons ready to be picked, peeled and made into the local lemon based products.

 

 

x mm @ IAT