Homemade Orangecello Recipe

Put that limoncello back in the liquor cabinet and get ready for a flavor surprise with our very own delicious Homemade Orangecello. Use it to add bright orange flavor to craft cocktails, or simply enjoy it chilled as a sipping liqueur.

What is Orangecello?

Have you tried limoncello? Orangecello is similar, except it uses oranges instead of lemons. They are both fruit-flavored liqueurs traditionally served as after-dinner drinks, though I also enjoy using them in cocktails. This liqueur is made with a neutral spirit, the zest of oranges, sugar, and water. It really is a simple recipe and all you need is some time to make this wonderful sipper. This Italian orange liqueur is also known as arancello, but I call this version Orangecello so it is immediately clear what it is made from.

And to be fair, the person whose job it is to make the stuff around my house is my wife, Ashley. It is her recipe and she makes both the Limoncello and Orangecello. She found a Limoncello recipe a long time ago on Epicurious and we have been cello heads ever since.

What Can I Use Orangecello For?

The first thing that comes to mind is to drink it! That is probably the most obvious way to enjoy it. Either put a bottle in the fridge a few hours before serving or serve it over ice in a chilled glass. Another great idea for this is to give it as a gift! This recipe makes just about 2.5–2.8 liters of the liqueur, so you could bottle it up into fancy gift pints and give it to your friends as gifts. I actually really like this idea and might do it.

Lastly, cocktails. Orangecello is primarily a sipping liqueur, but it is also a fun way to add orange flavor to cocktails. One great place to start is my Orange Float Spritz Prosecco Cocktail.

The Oranges

I like to use organic oranges. Because you are specifically using the zest, start with good-quality oranges and wash and scrub them thoroughly under running water before zesting.

There will be leftover fruit

The recipe only calls for the zest of our oranges, so be prepared to eat some oranges up, make some nice mimosas, or use the orange flesh in another recipe.

Neutral Spirit for Liqueur

We use vodka. It is easy to find and ideally has a very neutral flavor. A higher-proof neutral spirit such as Everclear can also be used, but you may need to adjust the dilution depending on its proof.

Experiment with Flavor

You don’t have to be limited to just orange. Seriously, you could try adding some vanilla bean, rosemary, basil, mint, or any other flavor that you think would go with orangecello. Think outside the box, but inside the bottle.

Orangecello takes time!

Plan ahead a bit for this one, as a full batch can take, at the very minimum, 20 days. It can also be rested longer after bottling if you prefer a more mellow flavor.

First Infusion – Zest

This is where the orange zest and vodka take time to marry. We combine the orange zest with the vodka and eventually strain the zest out. We keep it short at about 10 days to 2 weeks, but this is where the orange flavor comes from. You can experiment with a longer infusion if you prefer, although the flavor will continue to change as it rests.

Second Infusion – Sugar Water

In the second phase of this, we make a sugar syrup that we add to the concoction. Then… we let it rest even more!

Filtering the Zest

One of the final steps in making Orangecello is filtering and bottling our beverage. The thing about zest is that it tends to get through most strainers, so we use coffee filters inside a strainer to make sure we are getting all the tidbits out.

Bottling the Orangecello

While you might end up using whatever you have to store your Orangecello, recognize that the bottle can be part of the entire experience of drinking a liqueur like this. If you have guests over and pull out an old huge milk jug filled with orangecello, it will detract from the experience. Indulge a bit and get a nice bottle, like these Grolsch-style swing-top bottles. Serving your Orangecello in nice, chilled lowball glasses filled with ice can help make it feel a little more special, particularly if you are using a milk jug. Don’t use a milk jug.

Orangecello Process Descriptions

1. Zesting the oranges before adding the vodka.
2. Adding 750 mL of vodka to the orange zest for the first infusion.
3. Adding the rested vodka-and-zest mixture to the cooled sugar syrup.
4. Right before we allowed this to rest for another 10 days to 2 weeks.

Homemade Orangecello Recipe Tips Summary

• Because the zest is key to this recipe, start with good-quality oranges and wash and scrub them thoroughly under running water before zesting.
• If you want more orange flavor, you can use more zest than the recipe calls for. You can also experiment with a longer infusion, keeping in mind that the flavor will continue to change as it rests.
• Use coffee filters to filter the zest from your drink.
• If a paper coffee filter becomes clogged, replace it or finish straining through a very fine-mesh sieve.
• Use nice bottles to serve this in.
• When serving this orangecello, pop the bottle in the refrigerator an hour or two before so you can have a nice chilled drink. This is also smashing on the rocks in a chilled glass.

This liqueur really is divine. Making your own homemade orangecello is a great way to experiment with homemade liqueurs and create something that tastes great. Pick yourself up a bunch of organic oranges today to get started on this delicious drink.

Products I Used in This Recipe

• Large Bowl with Cover
• Zester
• Strainer
• Coffee filters
• Bottles

Did You Drink This?

If you liked this recipe, you could do me a real solid by taking some time to let me know how it went. I always appreciate hearing from you and if you want to get updates from me, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter. Leave a comment and rating below. Share this recipe on Pinterest.

Homemade Orangecello Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews

• Author: Ben Myhre
• Prep Time: 1 Month
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 Month 25 Minutes
• Yield: 2.5-2.8 Liters 1x
• Category: Cocktails
• Method: Steeping
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

This homemade Orangecello is a bright, citrusy Italian-inspired liqueur made by infusing vodka with orange zest, then sweetening it with homemade syrup. Serve it chilled or use it in cocktails.

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Ingredients

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• Zest from 6 organic oranges, avoiding the white pith
• 1.5 liters vodka
• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 5 cups water

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Instructions

1. Zest the 6 oranges into a large covered container. Reserve the orange flesh for another use.
2. Add 750 mL vodka.
3. Cover and let sit for 10 days to 2 weeks
4. After 10 days to 2 weeks, mix 4 cups of sugar and 5 cups water and bring to a boil
5. Simmer for 20-25 minutes to create a syrup
6. Allow syrup to cool
7. Add the cooled syrup to the vodka-and-zest mixture.
8. Add another 750mL of Vodka and mix.
9. Cover and let sit for an additional 10 days to 2 weeks
10. Strain the zest through a strainer lined with a coffee filter. This will take some time.
11. Bottle and serve!

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 ounces
• Calories: 166
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 18mg
• Fat: 0
• Saturated Fat: 0
• Unsaturated Fat: 0
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 0
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0g