Creamy Meloncello: How to make the fruity melon liqueur yourself
Everyone's familiar with the Italian liqueur Limoncello. But have you ever tried Meloncello? It's the sweet counterpart to the tart version and catches the eye with its bright orange color. Instead of buying it at a high price in a gourmet shop, you can easily make this melon liqueur at home with this recipe.
- 1 ripe cantaloupe melon
- 250 ml Vodka
- 150 g sugar
- 150 ml water
- 200 ml sweetened condensed milk
- Halve the melon, remove the seeds and rind. Cut the flesh into cubes and then purée it very finely.
- Place the purée in a large, clean glass or bottle and pour the alcohol over it. Seal the container airtight.
- Store the mixture in a cool, dark place for 5-7 days, shaking it once a day.
- After the steeping time, prepare a syrup from sugar and water and let it cool completely.
- Pass the pickled melon puree through a cheesecloth and collect the liquid in a separate container.
- Mix the filtered alcohol with the syrup and the condensed milk and stir all the ingredients together thoroughly.
- Pour the meloncello into a clean, sterile bottle using a funnel. Store it in the refrigerator.
Everyone's familiar with the Italian liqueur Limoncello. But have you ever tried Meloncello? It's the sweet counterpart to the tart version and catches the eye with its bright orange color. Instead of buying it at a high price in a gourmet shop, you can easily make this melon liqueur at home with this recipe.
Meloncello: perfect for enjoying or giving as a gift
Italian drinking culture is inextricably linked to the famous Limoncello. However, those seeking an exciting alternative will find it in the melon version. Meloncello combines intense fruit notes with a pleasant sweetness and a velvety texture. The base for this vibrant drink is the cantaloupe melon.
This variety is distinguished by its orange flesh and particularly strong aroma. When buying, make sure the melon is ripe. It should feel heavy in your hand and have a sweet scent at the stem end. Only a truly ripe fruit will later impart enough flavor to the alcohol.
To prepare this, first remove the rind and seeds from the melon. Cut the melon into large chunks and blend them into a smooth puree. Transfer the puree to a large, sealable container and pour in the vodka. Vodka is ideal because it's neutral in flavor and won't overpower the delicate melon notes. Now, let the mixture infuse for about a week in a cool, dark place.
Once the steeping time is over, prepare a simple syrup from water and sugar. Briefly bring both to a boil and then be sure to let the liquid cool completely. Now pour the steeped melon-vodka mixture through a fine cheesecloth. Mix the collected concentrate with the cooled sugar syrup and a little condensed milk. The condensed milk makes the liqueur wonderfully creamy and rounds out the fruity sweetness. Well-sealed, your homemade liqueur will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks without any problems.
The liqueur develops its best flavor when served ice-cold. Bottled in small, decorative bottles, it also makes a perfect homemade gift that's sure to be a hit at barbecues or summer parties.
