Limoncello is a delicious lemon liqueur made from lemon zest, sugar, and a neutral alcohol such as vodka. It is produced mainly in southern Italy and is traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestive.
The question is can you freeze limoncello so that it lasts for longer? The simple answer is that you can safely put it in the freezer but it won’t freeze because of the alcohol content (see also Is Freezing Cider A Good Idea?). However, it will become very cold which is the ideal way to serve limoncello.
How To Freeze Limoncello
As we have said, limoncello doesn’t freeze although it can become slushy if the alcohol content isn’t that high (See also What Percentage Of Alcohol Does Not Freeze?). It is generally between 25% and 30% but it can be lower, and if so, it will show signs of freezing. However, the real point of putting limoncello in the freezer is to get it ice cold. Of course, the coldness of the liqueur is very much to your personal preference and if you don’t like your drink to be so cold, keep the limoncello in the fridge or at room temperature. Whatever you choose won’t change the lifespan of the drink. It will be the same.
If you want your limoncello ice cold, you must take the bottle and put it in the freezer. It’s as simple as that. If you are putting in an opened bottle of limoncello, it is better to stand it up as laying it flat may lead to spillages.
Tips For Freezing Limoncello
- If you are making your own limoncello and plan to put it in the freezer so that you can enjoy an ice-cold drink, make sure that you add enough alcohol to the mix otherwise it will end up a slushy mess. If you only add a tiny bit of alcohol, it might almost freeze and you don’t want that.
- Expect the consistency of the limoncello to change. It won’t be completely clear because it doesn’t have as high an alcohol content as such spirits as vodka, gin, or whiskey. If it is a bit slushy, it will still taste fine and it will be safe to drink. If you take it out of the freezer about ten minutes before you plan to drink it, the slushy texture should disappear, and you will have a smooth drink.
- You can put all sorts of liqueurs in the freezer such as Grand Marnier, Cointreau, and triple sec so that your guests can have a delicious after-dinner treat. However, we would recommend that you don’t put cream liqueurs in the freezer as they tend to split if they become too cold.
For How Long Can You Keep Limoncello In The Freezer?
If you have made the limoncello yourself, you can keep it in the freezer for about a year. However, shop-bought limoncello can be kept in the freezer for up to two years. It is important to note that keeping limoncello in the freezer won’t extend its shelf life. It will last the same length of time if you keep it in the fridge or even at room temperature. The whole point of storing limoncello in the freezer is to have a deliciously cold drink.
How Do You Defrost Limoncello?
As limoncello doesn’t freeze, you don’t need to defrost it. If it has become a little slushy, you can just take it out of the freezer for ten minutes at room temperature or twenty minutes in the fridge for this to disappear. It will remain nice and cool but smooth.
Can You Refreeze Limoncello?
You can take out and put your limoncello back in the freezer as often as you want. It won’t spoil even if you leave it at room temperature for a few hours and then put it back in the freezer, unlike food. However, most people just take out their bottle of limoncello to serve it and then put it back in the freezer.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Limoncello?
Well, we have already said that limoncello doesn’t freeze. The most it does is become slushy if the alcohol content in the limoncello isn’t high. However, it tastes deliciously cold if you keep it in the freezer so if you enjoy a cold digestive, put your bottle of limoncello in the freezer. You can keep taking it out and putting it back in without it spoiling so if you forget to put it back in it doesn’t matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing limoncello but in case you have further questions about limoncello or other liqueurs, we have answered a few here.
No, you don’t need to keep it in either the fridge or freezer. It won’t go off if you keep it at room temperature.
Kahlua doesn’t freeze well because it has coffee and sugar as part of the ingredients. It tends to harden when you put it in the freezer. If you just want to chill it, however, you can put it in the freezer for ten minutes or so.
Yes, you can mix one-part limoncello with five parts prosecco to get a delicious sparkling cocktail. You can put the prosecco in the freezer for half an hour before serving so that it is ice-cold,
