The History of Limoncello
Rock Mountain Sunshine was inspired by the incredible flavors in hand crafted Limoncello. Here is the history behind this iconic drink:
If sunshine had a flavor, we’re pretty sure it would taste like Limoncello—sweet, tart, and a little bit wild. This glowing yellow elixir has danced its way from Italian home kitchens to cocktail bars around the world. But where did it come from? Who first decided to turn lemons into liquid gold? Grab your glass and let’s take a zesty stroll through the lemon groves of history.
Like most great stories, the origins of Limoncello are a little fuzzy—possibly because everyone was already sipping it. Depending on whom you ask, Limoncello was born in Amalfi, Sorrento, or Capri—all sun-soaked corners of Southern Italy where lemons practically grow like weeds (but, you know, the delicious kind).
One story tells of a sweet Italian lady in Capri in the early 1900s who served her homemade lemon liqueur to guests at her bed and breakfast. Another claims that fishermen along the Amalfi Coast used to knock back a shot to “warm up” before heading out to sea (as if the Mediterranean ever really gets cold). Either way, it’s clear Limoncello wasn’t invented in a lab—it was crafted at home, by hand, with love and lemons.
Let’s be clear: not all lemons are created equal. The lemons used in traditional Limoncello—Sfusato Amalfitano and Ovale di Sorrento—are big, bold, and bursting with fragrant oils. These aren’t your sad supermarket lemons; these are diva lemons. Their thick peels are the secret weapon in every bottle of authentic Limoncello.
Artisan makers will tell you: It’s all in the zest. Not the juice, not the pulp, not even the squeeze—just the outer peel. That’s where the magic lives. Those peels get a long, slow soak in pure alcohol, steeping like a tea made for the gods. Add a touch of sugar syrup, a little time, and voilá: liquid sunshine.
At Rocky Mountain Sunshine, we use similar processes that give our vodka that delicious lemon flavor. We use only local, organic lemons so you get the best taste, and our distilling process ensures you get the perfect amount of zest in every sip. So the vodka is as if Limoncello has a lighter, more neutral-flavored sister that’s perfect for mixing with just about anything.
Limoncello is more than a drink—it’s a story in a bottle. A story of lemon trees swaying over cliffside villas, of nonnas in aprons zesting with joy, of summer dinners that last until midnight. Whether you’re toasting to good friends, good food, or just good weather, Limoncello is your golden ticket to a little slice of Italian magic.
Our citrus infused vodka is inspired by more than just Limoncello as a beverage, it’s inspired by all that Limoncello represents. Rocky Mountain Sunshine was made to be enjoyed with friends– after an adventure filled day in the outdoors, for a night out, or enjoyed over a campfire and great conversation.