Limoncello liqueur
Description
Limoncello is a sweet, intensely lemon-flavored liqueur with a bright yellow or straw-like color and a pleasantly sticky-oily consistency; the taste combines fresh, aromatic lemon peel with a distinct, warming note of alcohol (usually 25–30% ABV), served chilled as a digestif or as an addition to cocktails. Nutritionally, limoncello primarily provides calories from alcohol and sugar, containing virtually no protein or fat, and vitamins are present only in trace amounts. In small quantities, it may introduce antioxidants from lemon peel oils, but the excess alcohol and sugar limit health benefits. In the kitchen, it works well as an ingredient in desserts, sorbets, creams, glazes, and marinades, as well as for flavoring baked goods and cocktails. The liqueur is best stored tightly closed, in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator/freezer, which preserves the freshness of the aroma and extends its shelf life.