Limoncello: the Lemon Liqueur of Sorrento and Capri

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast form a land stretching towards Capri and the rest of the Mediterranean, immediately south of the Bay of Naples. It is a succession of cliffs that dominate the coastline, with a few small bays and coves that offer views of the enchanting deep blue sea.

The Sorrento Coast can be cultivated only thanks to its sloping terraces, where oranges, vines, olives and especially lemons are grown all the way down to the sea. Those lucky enough to pass by in spring will be pleasantly overwhelmed by their fragrance, while visitors can enjoy the divine results of the citrus fruits picked all year round: after all, life has given lemons to this coast and people have made limoncello!

Don't miss the limoncello!

Among the important and fruitful traditions passed down from generation to generation in Sorrento, one in particular stands out: the recipe for limoncello, the world-famous liqueur made from an infusion of lemon peel and alcohol.

The story that comes closest to reality seems to be the one that attributes the birth of the delicious liqueur to the romantic island of Capri. Here, in the early 20th century, Mrs. Maria Antonia Farace tended her own fragrant lemon and orange orchard at the small boarding house she ran.

Years later, around 1988, Mrs. Maria's son, following in his mother's footsteps, opened a small artisan production of lemon liqueur, for which he registered the trademark. Thus the first limoncello in history was born.

However, other versions trace the birth of limoncello to Sorrento and Amalfi. Some theories claim that at the beginning of the 20th century the great Sorrento families on the coast had a delicious lemon liqueur prepared for the illustrious guests who visited them.

According to other theories, the liqueur was already used in ancient times by peasants and fishermen against the morning cold, and its recipe originated in a monastery to please the monks.

Today it is widely made in other lemon-rich areas of Italy. True limoncello, however, is made from the lemons of the Sorrento peninsula, its alcohol content should be between 30 and 35°, and its colour is somewhere between yellow and pale green, depending on how ripe the lemons are. It is served very cold, often after a meal.

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