How to make Homemade Orangecello! This beautiful liquor makes a fabulous gift when put in a pretty bottle but save some for the cook!
Oh pretty little glass of boozy deliciousness!
Meet Orangecello
…. her BFF is Lemoncello and I love them both equally! I suppose you could ‘cello’ about any fruit? (see how cool I am…I just call it ‘cello now..thats how close we are – me and my ‘cello…mmmmm). Limecello would be divine!
Basically, if you can skin fruit and pour vodka in a jar, you can make some homemade ‘cello…..oh, and boil water…you have to be able to boil water…for the simple syrup…which also requires measuring sugar.
So lets recap: If you can peel fruit, boil water and measure – then you can make ‘cello…
NOTE: Add the simple syrup to your taste….this is the part I like best…you have to taste it to see if it’s juuuussssstttt right! and mine was just right…like really was! I tasted it lots though….just to be sure. I like the boozy flavor so I use half a batch of the simple syrup. But if you want sweeter with less alcohol (then I probably don’t know you)…but if you do, then add the whole batch of syrup…(just don’t call me, because we are not friends.)
Homemade Orangecello
Ingredients
- 7 medium navel oranges
- 1 bottle vodka 750ml
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the oranges being careful to get only the rind and not the white pith which can be bitter. (Save the oranges for another use.) . Put the orange peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to steep the orange peels in the vodka for a minimum of one week at room temp. (the longer the better!) Give the jar a shake every few days.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes.
- Strain the vodka mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a container or pitcher and discard the peels. Pour half of the simple syrup over the vodka and taste. More syrup or less? It's a personal preference. I prefer only about 3/4 of the syup but that may be too boozy for you. Transfer to bottles and chill well before serving!
Notes
Nutrition
Em Paul says
Hi Kathy – wondering how you serve the Orangecello at your daughter’s engagement party? Is it mixed with other things or just undiluted in shot glasses ? Thanks., Em
Kathi & Rachel says
Undiluted and shot glasses. We encourage sipping:)
Dawn Nelson says
Sounds delicious. I just had a drink at a bar last night with homemade orange cello. How long does it keep? Like what is the storing method and retention?
Julie says
I keep mine in the freezer. We love to have it slightly slushy in pretty cordial glasses. Yum!
Mark says
Has anyone tried using flavored vodka, like cake vodka?
Samantha says
What proof is this orangecello?
Kathi & Rachel says
It would depend on the proof of the vodka you use.
MUSTAFA SHAREEF says
Was just wondering what if it doesn’t have a peel can you still cello it? Let’s say a strawberry? Or what about other berries or cherries?
Kathi & Rachel says
The problem with soft fruit is it makes it cloudy. The fruit wont hold up thru the soaking process. You can’t filter it out. Best to stick to citrus. Good question!
Karl Jefferies says
Hi, I’m really looking forward to giving this a try. Does it have to be water you addd with the sugar, or could you use the juice 7 oranges you have used the zest for?
Kathi & Rachel says
Hi Karl – you can use fresh orange juice but you would not have a clear liquor, it would be quite muddled looking. Not sure you would be happy with the results.
Karl Jefferies says
Fantastic answer, thank you. I just wasn’t sure of the science behind the recipe. Thank you again for getting back to me so quickly with your reply. I feel I am now ready to Cello with any Fruit already mentioned and will keep my eyes open for any new or different inspiring ideas you care to share. Such a friendly informative Blog. Happy Holiday’s, it is Orange Season here in Valencia – Spain, so I have the family all out picking Oranges in bags of 7 for ease…
Kathi & Rachel says
I hope you love the recipe…all the way from Spain, wow! I think it’s the best use of oranges by the way :). Happy Holidays!
Gary Kinder says
Used Gin , it’s a winner 🍸🍸
Kathi & Rachel says
What a great switch up! Love it!
sally says
I made this and can guarantee you that it is delish. Saved the orange peel to use in baking afterwards. A wonderful boozy addition to any baked goods.
Kathi Kirk says
Hi Sally – I’m so glad you liked it! I made a huge and I mean huge batch of it for my daughters engagement party – a total hit!
Thanks for your nice note!
Kathi
Sally says
Kathy, today I made it with grapefruit peel. Can’t be bad!
Kathi Kirk says
How clever! It’s breakfast vodka and diet food all in one! Yay!
FaveHealthyRecipes.com says
This drink recipe really screams “summertime”! Sounds like a perfect, refreshing drink to serve at a pool party.
Pat says
That sounds really delicious, Kathi. I bet we could do it with lemons as well……thanks much! 🙂
Emma says
Gosh, I never realised it was that easy!
Thanks for such a lovely summer lift…
it looks so simple and so pretty –
perfect to welcome summer.
I will be trying this for sure.
Emma 🙂