• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Dips
    • Bars & Brownie Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Brunch & Breakfast Recipes
    • Cakes & Cupcakes
    • Cheese Recipes
    • Chocolate Recipes
    • Condiments & Sauces
    • Cookies & Crackers
    • Desserts
    • Fruit Recipes
    • Grains & Legumes
    • Muffins and Quick Breads
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Readers' Favorite Recipes
  • Collections
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Heritage Recipes
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Vintage Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
  • Basic recipes
  • About this blog
    • The author
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility statement

Vintage Kitchen Notes logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • ALL RECIPES
  • Holidays
  • Seasonal
  • Vintage
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ALL RECIPES
    • Holidays
    • Seasonal
    • Vintage
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Published: Sep 18, 2013 · Modified: Jun 20, 2019 by Paula Montenegro · Income from ads and affiliates

    Homemade Vanilla Limoncello

    Jump to Recipe

    This traditional Italian liqueur is very simple to make at home. I added a vanilla bean, and it mellowed the sharp sugary lemon flavor the regular drink has. It keeps for months and can be frozen.

    Small bottle of limoncello with a vanilla bean on a wooden table.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.

    A few months ago, I pretty much started filling up bottles with vodka and throwing ingredients inside; a let's-see-how-this-goes situation.

    A few wonderful recipes happened, like the homemade hazelnut liqueur that made way for the best gluten-free brownies ever, and the raspberry one I used in my favorite chocolate wine cake.

    Homemade vanilla limoncello was also born, following my friend David’s recipe, and adding a vanilla bean that was definitely past its prime.

    It found its way into the bottom of a little glass jar filled with lemon peel and vodka, followed by simple syrup.

    That's pretty much all it takes to make homemade limoncello. And time. Quite a lot.

    Top view of glass jar with lemon peels in liquid. Wooden surface.

    Anyway, the forgotten bottle mentioned above, was transformed into a light yellow-hued liquid and the vanilla bean was transferred with the limoncello to the final bottle.

    The liquor mellowed to an almost sugary acid candy flavor with a marked vanilla undertone.

    Very different from regular limoncello, almost incongruous with what I was expecting, but still sweet than the traditional liqueur.

    Two glass jars with lids showing process of macerating homemade vanilla limoncello.
    Table of Contents Open
    How to store limoncello
    Serving limoncello
    Homemade Vanilla Limoncello

    How to store limoncello

    1. Transfer the limoncello to a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid, leaving some room at the top.
    2. Make sure the bottle and lid are clean and completely dry before transferring the limoncello. Any moisture can cause the limoncello to spoil or become cloudy.
    3. Store in a cool, dark place like a pantry or liquor cabinet. Or in the freezer.

    Serving limoncello

    Keep it chilled in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.

    Serve it straight in small shot glasses, as is traditional. Some people also drink it on the rocks, or with sparkling water or soda.

    Print
    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
    Small bottle of limoncello with a vanilla bean on a wooden table.

    Homemade Vanilla Limoncello

    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    This traditional Italian liqueur is very simple to make at home. I added a vanilla bean, and it mellowed the sharp sugary lemon flavor the regular drink has. It keeps for months and can be frozen. 

    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 8 cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 recipe homemade limoncello
    • 2 vanilla beans

    Instructions

    1. Prepare limoncello according to the recipe’s directions, adding the beans with the vodka in the first step.
    2. After adding the syrup, transfer the vanilla bean to the final jar.
    3. It will have more vanilla flavor as the weeks go by.
    4. Store in the freezer or a dry, dark place like a pantry cabinet. 
    5. Serve it cold in shot glasses.

    Notes

    • Omit the vanilla bean and you have regular limoncello liqueur.
    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Drinks
    • Method: Infusing
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: vanilla limoncello

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @vintagekitchenblog on Instagram and hashtag it #vintagekitchenblog

    More Drinks

    • Hands holding three glasses with pink lemonade, ice cubes, and berries.
      Pink Lemonade
    • Jar of lemonade with lemon slices being stirred on a light wooden table.
      Homemade Lemonade
    • Front view of glass with orange colored drink on wooden board, bottle in background
      Strawberry Passion Fruit Caipirinha
    • Wooden table with glasses of cherry cocktail, limes and mint sprigs
      Cherry Caipiroska (a vodka cocktail)

    About Paula Montenegro

    I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Thank you for leaving a review for this recipe Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Cher Rockwell says

      September 28, 2013 at 12:14 am

      Want!
      Love the new site look

      Reply
    2. Nancy @ gottagetbaked says

      September 26, 2013 at 12:27 am

      I love how there are so many sides to you, Paula. Now we're discovering the chemist in you. Thank goodness you're showing me the way because I got a C- in grade 11 chemistry. I adore limoncello and I love that you added that dried up vanilla bean. Perfection!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    Person with apron and tray of scones

    Hi, I'm Paula!

    A baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe finder, sharing the best ones on this blog, with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

    More about me →

    Featured in:

    Several colorful logos on white canvas

    Popular recipes

    • Shortbread fingers stacked on white surface
      The Best Lemon Shortbread
    • Close view of peach dump cake serving in white bowl with a teal spoon.
      Peach Dump Cake
    • Close up of goblet with lemon and raspberry dessert being held with a blue shirt as background.
      No Bake Lemon Dessert
    • White plate with two wedges of roasted pumpkin, white background, herbs, forks, salt.
      Easy Roasted Pumpkin
    • Purple bowl with almond cream being lifted with a silver spoon. Grey and white surface and background.
      Frangipane (almond cream) with video!
    • Lifting a slice of ricotta cheesecake from the whole cake on a white plate with a silver knife. White background.
      Crustless Ricotta Cheesecake

    Fruit desserts

    • Serving of apple berry crumble in a white bowl. Hands holding it. Teal background.
      Apple Berry Crumble
    • Close up of chocolate cherry dump cake serving in a white bowl.
      Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
    • A white round dish with baked peach crumble and a silver spoon.
      Peach Crumble
    • White plate with square of apple crumb bar with ice cream. Green cloth in the background.
      Easy Apple Crumb Bars

    Footer

    About

    The author
    Privacy Policy
    Amazon Associate
    Cookie Policy
    Accessibility

    Contact

    Sign Up! for emails and updates
    Contact


    Copyright © 2022 Vintage Kitchen Notes