If you enjoy a cold Limoncello during the summer, you will love this homemade Italian liquor for the winter, made with green walnuts.
Nocino is less well known than Limoncello.
While Limoncello is perfect as a summer after dinner digestive, Nocino is its winter equivalent.
It has a nutty creamy taste and is the perfect digestive after a winter stew or roast.
It is not easy to find in the store, so the best option is to make it at home......
and NOW is the time!
The challenge is to find the ingredients......
Starting from the left my Aunt Clementina (my mother’s older sister), my Aunt Anna (my father’s older sister), my Aunt Lalla (my father younger sister) and last my Aunt Liliana, (my father’s older brother’s wife)
Nocino Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
1 hrs
It is a great liquor to offer after dinner. While a cold Limoncello is great for the summer, the Nocino is perfect for winter.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 50 servings
Calories: 100 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 litre 95% pure alcohol if you cannot buy it replace with Vodka and don't add sugar and water
- 16 green walnuts
- 16 cloves
- 16 coffee beans
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 lemon zest
- 1/2 kilo sugar
- 1/2 litre water
Instructions
- Cut the walnuts into quarters, using rubber gloves as the walnut stains very badly.
- Peel the lemon with a potato peeler trying to avoid having too much of the white. Cut the lemon zest into small slices
- Use a large glass container holding at least 3 litres with a wide bottleneck
- Mix everything in the bottle and keep in a dark place for 40 days.
- Give the bottle a shake every day.
- After 40 days, filter the alcohol but do not throw away the walnuts.
- Make the syrup by warming up the water and sugar mix until the sugar has dissolved.
- Wait until the syrup is cold before mixing it with the Nocino.
- Once you have mixed everything together you can pour it into small bottles and store them in your liquor cupboard.
- It is best to wait until Christmas to drink it!
- Remember, if you still have some left over, it is a special treat to give friends at Christmas.
- You can make Nocino Wine by putting the alcohol soaked walnuts into 3 bottles of wine (red, rose or white).Enjoy !
Recipe Notes
Laura, that was a fun read! I wish I could try the Nocino, but probably not as it has caffeine in it. I loved seeing the photos of your family!
Thank you Elaine, when you come to France I make sure to have one without coffee
Oh Laura, what an awesome post, I just love to make my alcohols and therefore I always have a 95° alcohol bottle at the ready! Of course, for the nocino, I wouldn’t know where to find the walnuts. I guess I’ll have to taste yours, That’ll be a long wait, Christmas is 6 months away… Loved your family photos 🙂
Deal, come over with your husband around Christmas time. But what a pity, I have some extra walnuts!
What a beautiful post you have shared with us, never heard of Nocino, glad you are following your family recipes. I don’t think I can find green walnuts here in the UK:(
Thank you Jagruti, I know they are rare ingredients. That is what makes them a great Christmas gift
Wow! That was a wonderful lesson. I appreciate learning more about other cultures and this was a peek into yours. I really love the old family photos. Keep the traditions alive!
Thank you, they are good memories as most have passed away
It sounds delicious! I probably don’t have the patience to make it, but I sure would enjoy trying it. 🙂 I love the story behind your recipe – such great memories!
Thank you Jenn, I am looking forward to trying it as well
Love the family history and photos! I don’t think I’ve ever seen green walnuts before! This sounds like it must be amazing and how special that you’re continuing such a beautiful tradition!
Thank you, Christina I was delighted when I found the walnut tree. I looking forward to next stage.
What an interesting article Laura. So much to learn about. Its the first time I’ve seen pictures of green walnuts. An Italian couple who ran a restaurant here in Mombasa did mention once that she makes her own liquor when I had mentioned to her that I’d tasted limoncello for the first time during our trip to Italy. Now waiting patiently for the bottled liquor.
thank you Mayuri, it is amazing how making liquor is an Italian family tradition even for those who left Italy long time ago. It stays into their heritage
I think that the quest to track down these rare ingredients would make for a fabulous trip! This sounds absolutely delicious. What gorgeous photos!
Thank you, now you have a reason to visit the Cote d’Azur
I have never tried Nocino! What an interesting recipe and a great way to use the walnuts! Thanks for sharing, Laura!