Sasse Limoncello Artigiano. Organic lemon liqueur made from hand-peeled lemons, fresh, sweet-and-sour and creamy, 30% vol.
Sasse Limoncello Artigiano is an organic lemon liqueur from the Sasse fine distillery in Schöppingen, Münsterland. The peels and juice of organic lemons, peeled by hand, are steeped in the distillery's own spirit and rounded off with sugar – 30% vol, 700 ml.
Limoncello Artigiano by Sasse follows a recipe from Southern Italy. Limoncello is a lemon liqueur: the peels of ripe lemons are soaked in alcohol until it has absorbed their essential oils, after which the mixture is sweetened. In a classic Limoncello, the vibrant yellow color comes from the peel. In addition to the peels, Sasse also adds lemon juice to the mix, which introduces acidity. "Artigiano" is Italian for artisan. In Schöppingen, this is meant literally, as the distillery team peels the organic lemons by hand. The liqueur is certified organic and, according to the manufacturer, is handmade in Münsterland.
Sunny yellow, fresh lemon, and a creamy sweetness
Even in the glass, the Limoncello glows with a rich, sunny yellow. The nose catches fresh lemon, reminiscent of freshly grated zest. On the palate, sweetness and acidity are balanced, the texture is creamy, and there are notes of lemon peel. The finish is long and refreshing, tapering off with a sweet note. At 30% vol, it is stronger than its sweetness initially suggests. It is precisely this blend of sweetness and acidity that makes it so versatile: served neat, it acts like a dessert in a glass; in a Spritz, it provides freshness without bitterness. It is not intended as an acidic lemon drink to quench one's thirst; it remains a well-rounded, sweet liqueur.
Neat as a digestif, on ice, or as a Limoncello Spritz
Sasse recommends the Limoncello neat as a digestif after a meal or served on ice. For the distillery's signature Limoncello Spritz, place three ice cubes in a glass. Pour in two parts Limoncello, three parts Prosecco, and one part sparkling water. Stir briefly, and your aperitif for a summer evening is ready. In the kitchen, it is meant for desserts: a splash over fresh strawberries, in a lemon cream, or over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The distillery also uses it in cocktails. The liqueur has 30% vol; sales are restricted to persons aged 18 and over.
Store the bottle upright in a cool, dark place.
Our tip: Place the bottle in the refrigerator a few hours before serving. Served cold, the Limoncello tastes especially fresh, particularly on warm evenings.
Lemons from the south, peeled and infused in Schöppingen
While lemons do not grow in Münsterland, they are processed there with a great deal of manual labor nonetheless. The organic lemons arrive in Schöppingen, where the Sasse team peels them piece by piece by hand. The peels and juice are steeped in the distillery's own spirit, with the peels releasing their natural aromatic compounds. Afterward, the mixture is adjusted with sugar and bottled. The spirit comes from their own distillery on the Schöppinger Berg, which has made a name for itself with barrel-aged grain spirits. In this way, the Limoncello combines an Italian recipe with the craft of Münsterland distilling. It bears its moniker precisely because of this manual labor.
For summer evenings, dessert lovers, and as a gift
Limoncello Artigiano is the bottle for anyone looking for something fresh rather than something heavy after a meal. In summer, it is the base for a Spritz; in winter, it’s a piece of the south in your refrigerator. It also makes a perfect gift for a barbecue or an Italian dinner with friends. Those seeking a non-alcoholic lemon taste will find it in Wellpaero Limoncello, a concentrate to be diluted with water. Further liqueurs can be found in the Liqueurs category and on our Sasse page. For guests who prefer a tart, dry spirit after dinner, this sweet liqueur is less suitable.
Hand-peeled organic lemons, sweetness and acidity in balance, 30% vol – the Limoncello from Münsterland for a Spritz or as a post-meal treat.
