Traditionally, limoncello is used as an aperitif. An aperitif is any alcoholic drink that is taken before or after meals to aid digestion. Limoncello is like lemonade for adults, because of its alcohol content. You do not need to be a world-class chef to know how to make limoncello.
Limoncello is usually served cold or chilled. Just like lemonade, it is the perfect summer drink. After a day of traversing beaches in the sun, settling down to a chilled bottle of homemade limoncello is an experience that can be recreated in the winter.
If you have been seeing chilled glasses of limoncello, let’s tell you what it tastes like.
What does limoncello taste like? Limoncello is a liqueur made with lemon zest so you should expect a very intense lemon flavor. Limoncello tastes sweet because of the simple syrup that is added to it during the making. But, it lacks a little bit of the tartness lemon juice has. It feels like a spiked but sweet citrus-flavored drink.
Limoncello is very delicious and is used by some people to cleanse their palates as they wolf down meals.
Limoncello is great and is one of the best homemade alcoholic drinks we have out there. Now that you know what it tastes like, we are going to discuss how you can use this liqueur and what good it does to your body when you drink it.
Nutritional Benefits of Limoncello
The ingredients in limoncello can be counted on the fingers of one hand. All you need is lemon zest, grain alcohol, or vodka then, clean water and sugar. But, the main ingredient in the limoncello is the lemon zest, so we are going to be looking at what health benefits they proffer to the human body.
For most people, lemon zest is a thing you throw away, not add to your food. But, some people know the nutrients that lemon zest has locked away. The zest contains small amounts of minerals that are of benefit to the human body. Since you cannot eat lemon zest, and the pith is bitter, limoncello is one of the many ways you can enjoy the nutrients present in lemon zest.
Limoncello contains calcium which is important in the human body because it helps to maintain a good bone structure and keeps cellular communication at maximum. If the calcium level in one’s body is low, the body would not function properly. Limoncello also contains vitamin C that acts as a booster for the immune system.
Limoncello contains fiber which is important for bowel movements and would help to keep the digestive tract working at full capacity. Fiber can also help to reduce inflammation and keep one’s metabolic rate in check. Lemon zest that is the main ingredient in limoncello can also help to keep a healthy heart and have a suppressive effect on blood pressure.
There are flavonoids present in lemon zest, for example, limonene. Some carried out studies have pointed to the fact that these flavonoids can be directly linked to the prevention of the formation and spread of cancerous cells. Especially specific cancers like; cancer of the pharynx, stomach, larynx, and mouth. When compared to similar alcoholic drinks, limoncello is much healthier.
Culinary Uses of Limoncello
Limoncello is quite easy to make. All you need is a mason glass jar or a clear container you can seal tight. Then get your organic lemon, conventional lemons could be coated with wax to help preserve the better and for limoncello, all you need is the lemon rind. This lemon rind is what you soak in grain alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks then, you add syrup to taste.
Limoncello is sweet so it masks the alcoholic content, it is quite strong. Limoncello in the culinary aspect is usually served as an aperitif or a digestif. This means that it is usually served after or before a meal, or together with dessert as the sweet taste blends quite well with your dessert. It can also be a drink that is served in the summertime or served after dinner in colder months.
History of Limoncello? Where Can You Procure It?
If the name doesn’t give you a hint, limoncello is Italian. It is one more thing we could thank the Italians for inventing. The history of limoncello is not documented so the facts are not very straight. But, the production of limoncello started in Southern Italy. It is usually made from “Limone Di Sorrento” which is also known as Sorrento’s lemons. These lemons are associated with the Sorrentine peninsula and Amalfi coast.
Some sources state that Limoncello came out of a small household owned by Madame Maria Farace in Capri. A bar owned by Madame Farace’s nephew that serves the liqueur using her recipe sprung up and gave rise to Limoncello as we know it. The name limoncello was trademarked in 1988 by a family that came out of Capri.
Limoncello could have been made in different ways and have slightly different tastes but the main ingredients do not change. If you want to lay your hands on some limoncello, you can get some from grocery stores for a price range of $13.99 to $26.99.
Can You Get Drunk On Limoncello?
Yes, you can. Limoncello contains about 30% alcohol, so while it would jumpstart the digestive enzymes in your stomach, it would just as well get you drunk as any vodka would. Only drink limoncello while it is frosted, when the bottle becomes warm, you would easily get drunk.
Facts You Don’t Know About Limoncello
- Limoncello is one of the most popular liqueurs in Italy.
- It is a tradition in Southern Italy to serve a chilled glass of limoncello after dinner free of charge.
- The origin of limoncello is not very clear. Some people claim that in ancient times, farmers and fishermen used the liqueur to keep the cold away while they were at work. Some records even say that monks in the middle ages do drink the liqueur in between prayers.