What kind of alcohol? gin...vodka...what is best?

According to Patrick - rubbing alcohol will do just fine.

Or if you are out of rubbing alcohol, you could substitute fingernail polish remover. But cut the quantity in half.

See my recipe at http://www.strick.net/blog/011003.html. I used grain alcohol (151 proof, though 190 proof would probably be even better). My mother used a different recipe and used vodka (80 proof, I believe) and it didn't turn out nearly as well.

Limoncello (from Italy kept in the freezer to keep it very cold) is yummy!

It is available in the states...I've seen several labels at Bristol Farms.

Although the drink itself is quite refreshing, most of us recall limoncello with fond memories because of the atmosphere in which we typically experience the beverage. Enjoying a chilled limoncello after a delicious meal, while absorbing the incredible view of the Mediterranean and the Amalfi Coast, is one of those special moments you can only encounter in Italy. One of the highlights of our trip. I hope you too tiffpolm can enjoy the experience!!!

Bluefan: Your post reminded me of an experience my niece told me about. She and a girlfriend were in Sorrento. It was s hot summer night, and they drank a considerable amount of cold, refreshing Limoncello and thought it was absolutely wonderful. She brought home a bottle and served it to friends after dinner on a summer evening, and wondered why it tasted so good in Italy, and was now rather mediocre.

I think you explained why perfectly!

Limoncello seems pretty easy to find in the States. At least my local, not at all fancy liquor store carries several brands. Patrick, your recipe looks about right, but you may be a little short on the sugar. It's a very sweet drink.

One additional item on limoncello, is that it comes in two varieties: the clear (my fave), which to beat a dead lemon, should be kept in the freezer; and the creamy variety-also kept cold, a little less sweet. A serious dessert all by itself.
Anyone else getting a major hankering for the Amalfi Coast just reading this thread! wo.

Here in Fresno they opened a Beverages and More liquor store 3 weeks ago. On display are 6 brands of limoncello. I bought the least expensive brand ( about 17 dollars)and my wife and I LOVE it. Since the initial bottle we have consumed three more including orangecello also highly recommended.

However, for contrast I bought a brand that cost 25 dollars and disliked it.
I understand in Italy there is also a strawberry.

Give it a try.

Dear Mendota:

What brand did you like? I purchased a CA made brand and did not like it at all. Also had a homemade limoncello at Bistro Don Giovanni in Napa: it was OK but made with Myers lemons. Let me know .

PS: are you from Mendota - hot spot of the Valley??

Loved it the first time I had it in Italy and I buy it all the time here in the States! One note though - since it really should be served directly from the freezer you have to watch the percentage of alcohol in the brand you buy. Several of them have lower alcohol content (I think it's under 26%) and those will freeze - not at all what you want. Make sure if has enough alcohol so that it just stays icy and not frozen. Enjoy!

Our hotel bartender in Sorrento introduced us to limoncello, then the creamy limoncello. After having the creamy, I never went back. Unlike others, I find that now that I'm back in the States, a bottle of creamy limoncello taken out on the deck of the pool on a steamy August night or as an after dinner drink with dinner guests evokes many of the same Sorrento-like feelings, and have made many wonderful memories over it since we've returned. I hardly find it "mediocre", that's for sure! My freezer is never without a bottle of the Limocello di Sorrento!

Amyb, you have just made me GREEN with envy!!!! Suffice to say, it is difficult to recreate those Sorrento Limoncello evenings in a 1 bedroom flat in London, with outdoor access only through the fire escape which our porter will NOT allow us to sit on!! aaaaaargh!!!!

Amyb: You must have better memories, recall or imagination than my niece! I must agree that in my own experience, it is easy to duplicate wonderful things we have done in Italy, just looking at our photos. Having a Limoncello would enhance it even further.

can't wait to try one next week. When is the appropriate time to drink? only after dinner or would anytime during a day, hanging out, maybe at a table doing some people watching be appropriate. Also, the other drink I was reading about that is lemonish with ice, etc is called a sgroppino (sp?) A book says it is a top 10 drink in Venice. sounds delish. Anyone had one?