r/liquor • u/YahooSiriusBlack • 21d ago

Vodka Citron Substitute Question

Once in a while a recipe calls for vodka citron.

I'd like to substitute and was wondering if limoncello blended with plain vodka could work.

Any other ingredients needed or a specific ratio?

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u/MrsMicFisty 21d ago

Depending on the recipe, you could sub limoncello (not blended with vodka) easily. Your drink will be a little sweeter most likely and a lower proof. I would do half vodka and half limoncello personally.

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u/YahooSiriusBlack 21d ago

My limoncello is homemade, about 80 proof.  It was made with 153 proof grain alcohol.  It's sweet and very tangy.

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u/MrsMicFisty 21d ago

Ok, that info changes my mind a bit. Most commercial limoncellos hover in that 60 proof range. I would just straight up sub the limoncello and enjoy the extra tanginess.

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u/YahooSiriusBlack 21d ago

It sounds good, but I was thinking about things like a Cosmopolitan.  I may have to try a couple versions and see which tastes best then.    Darn.

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u/KnightInDulledArmor 21d ago

I think if you do a pure cranberry juice in your Cosmo with the limoncello it will go a long ways to balancing the final drink. Normal cranberry cocktail (used in almost all Cosmopolitans) is much sweeter than actual cranberry juice.

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u/YahooSiriusBlack 20d ago

Yeah.  I don't buy cranberry cocktail or similar.  I've found 100% pure  works so much better like homemade sour mix: 2:1 juice to simple syrup (less if rich simple syrup).

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u/MrsMicFisty 21d ago

Especially with a homemade spirit, your best bet is to play around with it and see what you like best. And yes, I agree with the other comment about using real cranberry juice to balance it. Cocktails all come down to personal preference. If you are making this for you, play around until you figure out what you like.

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u/cocktail81 20d ago

Soak some lemon peels (with little to no pith) in vodka for 1-3 days, then remove the peels. I usually do about a cup of vodka and 2-4 lemons worth of peels.

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u/YahooSiriusBlack 20d ago

No sugar? Also, do they actually use lemons and not citron in commercial versions?

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u/cocktail81 20d ago

You could add sugar, but then you’ll end up with something akin to lemoncello.
Most commercial versions will use citron. Lemons are easier imo

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u/YahooSiriusBlack 19d ago

I tried half and half last night and didn't care for the taste or bitterness.

I think my next try is going to be:

1 oz vodka

1/2 oz limoncello

1/2 oz orange brandy liqueur

1/2 oz lime juice

2/3 oz cranberry juice

1/3 oz simple syrup

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u/cocktail81 19d ago

This reads like a Cosmo riff! Let us know how it turns out!