limoncello

limoncello is on our radar again as a long weekend style operative recently returned from the home of limoncello, italia. not to mention, limoencello could be considered a perfect summer evening beverage, especially when served severely chilled.

hailing from the south of italy, sorrento lemons are touted as making the best limoncello in the world.

limoncello is akin to a tart lemonade but a tart lemonade with the added bonus of alcohol content but without the sour or bitter lemon flavor. italians traditionally serve limoncello after dinner and again, usually very, very chilled.

limoncello is also offered in 4 other popular flavors, should lemon not float your cocktail boat.

there is fragola, strawberry in italian, which is delicious and sweet like a supa dupa ripe berry. meloncello - a melon version, usually cantaloupe, which is actually so much more delectable than it sounds. and finally limoncello crema - half regular limoncello mixed with creme, cutting the lemon tartness almost in half.

all limoncello flavors are extremely dangerous, so drink with caution as they seem deceptively sweet but will knock you on your patookis in no time flat. if you don't believe us, just ask danny devito, who went on national AM television in a limoncello stupor.

limoncello is available through some liquor stores but will most likely only stock the traditional limoncello and limnocello crema; the sweeter flavors require a little more sleuthing and if you aren't an italian resident, online will probably be the best resource.

if you're feeling particularly industrious, limoncello can be made right in your own kitchen - several recipes can be found online and on tea towels (we're not kidding about the tea towels, really. a LWS staffer bought italian tea towels for her mum, noticed the recipe and thought she give it a whirl. hours later, in a limoncello induced state of drunkenness, she declared the recipe "fantasticci!"). just search "limoncello recipes" and take your pick.

and don't forget to chill it before you swill it.

cheers mate!