Sweet Zest: Homemade Limoncello Wedding Rehearsal Favor

Hello Bloomers!

When our daughter got engaged, being a part of the planning was so much fun. Although a fine balance between helping and not overstepping (wink, wink), I was honored to be a part of her wedding planning journey. We had so much fun together designing all the special little details (if you've been on Pinterest lately, you know there is a never ending list of inspiration and ideas to incorporate if you want).

Today I'm sharing the favors we created for the rehearsal dinner: homemade limoncello— a zesty, vibrant drink that perfectly tied in with our theme “she found her main squeeze.” Limoncello is much more than a refreshing beverage; it represents celebration, tradition, and a little bit of whimsy. Creating these favors for my daughter’s wedding rehearsal was my way of celebrating the moment when she found her perfect partner — her very own main squeeze.

What You’ll Need

If you’re inspired to try this for your own special occasion, here’s what I used:

• Lemons: About 10 large lemons

• Vodka:  750 ml vodka (doesn't need to be top shelf - any brand will do)

• Sugar: 2 1/2 cups of granulated sugar

• Water: 3 1/2 cups of water

• A Sharp Peeler: essential for removing the lemon zest without the bitter pith.

• A Large Mason Jar or Glass Container: for the steeping process

• Fine Mesh Strainer and Cheesecloth: to ensure a smooth final product

• Flip Top Glass Bottles (I got mine from Amazon)

• Gift Tag (you can find my customizable tag in my Etsy shop)

  
  

My Step-by-Step Process

1. Prepare the Lemons

Start by washing the lemons thoroughly. Then, using a sharp peeler, remove only the bright yellow outer layer of the peel, being careful to avoid the white pith which is bitter.

2. Infusing the Vodka

Place the lemon peels in a mason jar and pour the vodka over it. I cover the mason jar with cheese cloth and seal with string (I also add a tag and date it so I know when the batch was made). Store it in a cool, dark spot for about 14 days (I will go longer based on color and smell). This steeping period is crucial because it allows the vodka to absorb the vibrant essence of the lemons.

3. Make & Combine the Simple Syrup

When the steeping process is done and I am ready to pour, I prepare the simple syrup by bringing 3 cups of water to a boil, adding the sugar, and stirring until it’s completely dissolved. I then let the syrup cool to room temperature. Once my syrup has cooled, I mix it with the lemon-infused vodka. I then strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the zest, ensuring that the final limoncello is as smooth as possible.

4. Bottling and Finishing Touches

I transfer the limoncello into clean bottles. While it’s ready to drink right away, I usually let it sit for another week in the refrigerator or freezer to let the flavors meld even further. The extra aging makes each sip a reminder of the care and love put into making it.

Napkins from Zazzle.com

Presenting this homemade limoncello at my daughter’s wedding rehearsal was all about personalization. I designed custom labels that fit with the theme “She Found Her Main Squeeze”.

If you're looking for some wedding ideas to celebrate love in unique ways, I hope this provides you some inspiration! May your celebrations always be as refreshing and unforgettable as a sip of homemade limoncello.