Lemoncello

[italyeats]

I know most lemoncello recipies are similar, but the old "family" recipe from my family in Southern Italy is far better than the lemoncello I've tasted anywhere along the Almafi coast). I would like to make it with something that would be a better/healthier substitute for sugar. I could experment, but was wondering if anyone has tried using agave?

[TheHuntress]

The best limocello I have ever had was made by an Italian gentleman who sold it at the Victoria Markets in Melbourne. He used organic honey as a sugar substitute and the flavour was incredible.....mmmm must track him down to buy a case.

[EvergreenDan]

I bit off topic, but does anyone have cocktails that use Lemoncello? I have a bottle of Luxardo store-bought that needs to fine a use.

[Cookiefiend]

I specifically made limoncello because I was introduced to Barenjager this summer. Barenjager had a recipe for a Barenjager - limoncello and hot tea drink that I thought I would be fantastic the next time I catch a cold or can't sleep.

An alcoholic lemon-honey tea... mmm sez I.

[imhungryletseat]

Danny Devito will be hawking his Limoncello at Bottles and Cases in Huntington LI this Saturday, and signing Bottles of it. Did anyone ever try his Brand? and is it any good?

[geminigirl]

Giada mixed it with Proseco for a nice summer cocktail, haven't tried it yet though...

[mamaciita]

Care to share the recipe? I have a little Lemoncello fetish brewing. . .

[chowing kat]

Why not try a batch with the latest non-sugar sweetner, Truvia???

[jerryc123]

I would doubt that agave nectar would be a "healthier" substitute for white cane sugar.

Agave, like corn, is a starch - not a sugar. Like High Fructose Corn Syrup, Agave nectar is not a natural product, but a manufactured one.
Agave nectar is approximately 71% fructose compared to 55% fructose in HFCS.

But considering the amount of Limoncello you are likely to consume, I don't think you should concern yourself with the health issues.

[italyeats]

Thanks for the info. Wow, I didn't realize that agave is manufactured. Why do all the health advisors suggest that diabetics use it?. Doesn't sound too good to me! Is there any substitution for sugar that is better than white cane?

[JMF]

White cane is the best sugar. Why don't you want to use it?

Agave syrup is recommended for diabetics because of it's glycemic index level which doesn't cause spikes in blood sugar levels.

[jmcwig]

agave is not a manufacured product...it is natural; made from the juice of the agave plant.

[jerryc123]

No.
Agave is a plant. Squeeze it and you get an unusable juice.
Agave NECTAR is a manufactured product. Depending on the type of agave plant that is used, the juice of the plant is converted to simple sugars either by heating, or by the use of cultivated enzymes. Agave Nectar products labeled "raw" are usually made by heating, but there are no laws governing the labeling.

Here is a good article on agave nectar...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...