Leave a Comment:
(10) comments
Oh boy do I wish I had found this before last night! Rookie mistake #1: used the 190 proof Everclear I found at the discount liquor store.
Any suggestions on what to do next? It’s currently turning a lovely yellow color as it extracts all that lemony goodness, but I’m a little afraid of eventually drinking it!
Great site–I’ve already learned lots!
Reply
Don’t worry about it. Just use the calculator to get the proof of the final product right and let it rest a little longer.
Reply
Oh crap, I wish I’d found this post 2 hours ago. I just (30 minutes ago) sealed up my 4x filtered 190 proof everclear with the lemon zest. They didn’t have anything less here in North Carolina, so I’m not sure what I could have gotten instead.
Like Jill, I too am scared to eventually have to drink it without cutting it with plenty of simple syrup, and then I’m afraid it’s going to turn out sickly sweet. The good news is I am in no hurry and have no problem letting it sit for the next 3 months. Will that “fix” it?
Reply It’s ok, just use the calculator on the site to get the proper ratio of simple syrup to alcohol. If you’re worried about sweetness, target an alcohol % in the 30-40 range.
Reply We just added in our simple syrup to a final alcohol content of 30%. Our taster sample was obviously pretty rough, but encouraging! Vic, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be nasty sickly sweet, especially once it’s mellowed and chilled. I’m looking forward to the finished product.
Reply
I just did the same thing as the other posters, used two bottles of 190 proof grain alcohol. What exactly do you mean when you say cut it with Vodka? Would making a second batch with Vodka and combining the two help? If yes what proof vodka?
Reply
Yes, you could cut it with vodka (the proof doesn’t matter if you’re doing the dilution math correctly). Or you could add more simple syrup.
Reply
What is your recommendation with regards to the brand of vodka of you can’t find Everclear? Is it worth using a highrr more “smooth” brands such as Belvedere or Kettle one, Svenka…etc…or should is it OK to see more inexpensive off the shelf since we are using the vodka to infuse?
Reply It’s perfectly ok to use inexpensive stuff because you can filter the liquor and it will end up tasting good, on par with the better vodkas.
Reply
Another hint, don’t use organic sugar as it will give your limoncello a brownish yellow color and/or be fairly cloudy. Taste is fine but you lose that nice clear yellow color.
Reply