Hi - I know this may be more appropriate for the US forum, but given the number of Limoncello fans on the Europe forums, I thought I would post. We are going to Manhattan soon staying in Midtown. I am wondering if anyone can suggest stores to purchase good Limoncello. We haven't found much of a selection where we live.

My husband has some time to hunt it down while I am in a conference for a few days, so I am not too concerned about location. Thanks!

PS. If you know where we can find Verrazzano wines, we would love that info too!

Hi
lots of NYC liquor stores carry Limoncello--where will you be staying?

I'll add
Sherry-Lehman, Madison Avenue
carries just about everything, you might want to inquire about the Verrazzano wines

www.sherry-lehmann.com

Garnet Liquors, 929 Lexington Avenue (near 68th Street), has excellent prices and a good selection
(212) 772-3211

Thanks Elaine! I did fall upon Sherry Lehmann in Frommers today, but they only had 1 limoncello on-line, so it is hard to tell on their entire selection. I will definately make notes of your suggestions!

Any specific brand that is more authentic that anyone can recommend?

I'm not a fan of the liquor, but lot's of luck to you if you find any in Garnet Wines.

I Trulli Vino somewhere near 27th and Park or Park Avenue Liquors or Beacon Wine have a few selections.

I don't know if there are any Trader Joe's in NYC, but they stock a pretty good cream limoncello.

There's no Trader Joe's in NYC. But. I believe we're due to have a few TJ stores in the near future.

The OP should realize that one can order these online from US stores who's allowed to ship liquor to the OP's state.

Why in the world would you want to buy it? It's the easiest thing in the world to make, and your own will be much better than anything you can buy.

Please share the recipe.

Metellus - We actually did make it and it did turn out pretty good, but it doesn't have the same kick as the stuff we had in Italy. Maybe because we can't get 190 proof vodka...

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

My own neighborhood liquor store, Aloha Liguors, 2nd Avenue between 19th and 20th, carries an excellent Limoncello, I don't recall the brand. Even better than that is the Italian Mandarino (tangerine) liquer they carry, but they have trouble keeping it in stock.

Mr Wright liquor store, 3rd Avenue in the East 90s (92?) has a great limoncello also, and a selection of grappas and proseccos.

I think there is a trader joe's in Queens.
Union Square Wines & Spirits carries lots of italian wine. They might have what u are looking for. they are at 33 Union Sq. W. (Btwn. 16th & 17th Sts.)212-675-8100
A block away is Crossroads. Several blocks away is Astor wine. All of them has excellent ratings from zagat.

"Maybe because we can't get 190 proof vodka"

No, no. the base is grain alcohol, not vodka.

The recipes is simple:

1 part grain alcohol
1 part water
lots of lemons
lots of sugar

Instructions: let it sit a while.

My Italian teacher makes Limoncello & tells us that grain alcohol is illegal in NY, so he goes to NJ to buy it. So, for anyone in the metro NYC area that wants to make this, you'll have to make a stop in NJ.

is there a brand name to the grain alcohol?

thanks

If you or your husband have the time (and ideally a car), you may want to head up to Arthur Avenue, an Italian section in the Bronx. I know that Mt. Carmel Wines, at 612 E. 187th St., had a big selection of limoncello.

Hi, what is grain alcohol??? Thank you.

I second the recommendation for Mt. Carmel Wines in the Arthur Avenue section of the Bronx.

We were just there last week. They have absolutely the best selection of Italian wines and limoncello. They must have had at least 10 different types, clear or crema, as well as orangecello. We were actually able to get limoncello from Capri to refill our beautiful Capri bottle.

This area of the Bronx also has the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens...you could spend a lovely day there if you have time.

Here is the basic recipe for Limoncello:

15 organic lemons, scrubbed

2 (750 ml.) bottle of very good quality 100-proof vodka or grain alcohol (brand name: Everclear)

4 ½ cups sugar

5 cups water

Wash a large glass jar with lid (1-gallon size is best) with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and dry.

Scrub the lemons to remove any dirt or other substances with warm water and pat dry. Carefully peel the lemons so that no white pith remains on the peel. Place in the jar along with the vodka. Cover and let sit in a dark place at room temperature for anywhere from ten days to two months - here is where your experimenting begins. The longer that the lemon peels are infused, the better the taste will be. You will also notice the color gets more intense.

When you think the flavor has fully developed, make the sugar syrup. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and water; boil over medium-high heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Add the sugar mixture to the lemon-Vodka mixture. Cover and store as before for another month.

Wash a couple of bottles and make sure that you have caps or corks to fit. Strain the alcoholic mixture through several layers of cheesecloth to remove all traces of peel and pour into the clean bottles. Seal tightly with the cork or cap. The bottles can be stored in a pantry or other cool spot but remember to keep one in the freezer and ready to drink.

My husband calls grain alcohol "corn squeezins'" or corn mash. His friend's grandmother had a still and used to make it. It is wicked stuff to drink. There are still some people that make it here.

I am telling you I moved out here from NYC into the middle of a corn field. Sometimes these people scare me.

I have made Tiggy22's recipe and used oranges because my best friend doesn't like lemon. Oh, and I added a real vanilla bean too. YUM!