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How much Limoncello to Get Drunk?

Charl Joost
Last Updated: February 22nd, 2023

Limoncello is a lemon liqueur from Italy. How much Limoncello will get you drunk will depend on how it is drunk and what factors affect your body’s alcohol level. Everyone reacts differently to the effects of alcohol.

In this article, we will look at what makes up the drink to answer the question “how much Limoncello to get drunk?”.

What is Limoncello?

what is limecello
Image: erik forsberg

Limoncello is a lemon liqueur made from lemon zest that is smooth and sweet with an intense lemon flavor and is mainly produced in Southern Italy, particularly in Sorrento, Capri, and along the Amalfi coast.

How is Limoncello Made?

how limecello made

Traditionally, Limoncello liqueur Is made from the zest of Femminello St Teresa lemons, also known as Sorrento lemons. Lemon zest or peel without the pith is steeped in neutral spirit alcohol until the oil is released.

The lemon-infused alcohol is then mixed with simple syrup. The water-to-sugar ratio and the temperatures can affect the clarity, viscosity, and flavor.

It has a slightly turbid appearance due to small (approximately 100 nanometers) droplets of essential oil suspended in the drink.

How to Drink Limoncello

Limoncello is usually served chilled from the refrigerator or preferably from the freezer in a shot glass or ceramic cup and is meant to be sipped slowly as an aperitif taken after a meal to stimulate digestion.

Limoncello is a refreshing lemon drink that, although known as an aperitif liqueur, can be enjoyed anytime, especially in summer.

To truly taste the full flavor, Limoncello is best poured directly from the freezer to be enjoyed ice cold. That said, ice should not be added.

How do you Define How Drunk a Person is?

Your blood alcohol concentration (Bac%) rises as you drink more alcohol than your liver can metabolize. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% is legally intoxicated in the USA.

A standard drink in the USA is an alcoholic beverage containing 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. It will produce a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) between 0.02 and 0.04, depending on gender and weight.

BAC 0.02%

you may feel more relaxed

BAC 0.O5%

your behavior tends to become exaggerated. For example, you speak louder, and your vision becomes slightly blurred.

BAC 0.08%

this is the legal definition of intoxicated in the USA and the legal driving limit. You are likely to lose some coordination resulting in a deterioration of reaction times, speech, and balance

BAC 0.10%

your reaction times and control are further reduced. As a result, you think slower, your coordination becomes poor, and your speech will be slurred.

BAC 0.15%

You are now nearly twice the legal limit and drunk. As a result, you have much less control over your balance and find walking and talking difficult.

How much Limoncello to Get Drunk – Different Factors

Many factors determine how quickly you will feel the effects of drinking; these can vary every time you drink. For example, the following factors can affect how quickly you start feeling tipsy or drunk:

1. Amount of alcohol and speed of consumption

The more alcohol consumed and the shorter the time the alcohol is drunk, the higher the BAC and thus the quicker you get drunk.

Your body, on average, can break down one standard drink each hour. So, if you drink three shots in one hour, your BAC will rise, and you will get drunk quicker than intended.

2. Your age

As you age, it takes longer for your body to process the alcohol.

3. Gender

Overall, alcohol is metabolized slower in women than in men. Studies and research have shown that women have less of the enzymes used to metabolize alcohol.

4. Size (Bodyweight)

The less you weigh, the quicker your BAC levels will increase compared to a person who weighs more and has had the same amount of alcohol in the same period because the alcohol has less room to spread out, making the concentration higher.

5. Empty Stomach

Eating something and drinking water before you start drinking is recommended. Food and water in the stomach will slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.

6. Alcohol Tolerance

If you have developed alcohol tolerance, you have to drink more significant amounts of alcohol to experience the same effects you used to feel with fewer drinks.

Being able to handle your alcohol does not affect BAC and consuming an excessive amount of alcohol will put you over the legal BAC% limit.

Can you get Drunk from Drinking Limoncello?

drunk from drinking limoncello
Image: Nadine Schaeffer

Limoncello has an alcohol content of 25-30% ABV, which is more than strong enough to get you drunk. How drunk you get will depend on the factors covered in this article.

At an ABV of 30%, a standard shot of 1.5 ounces will contain 0.45 ounces of alcohol. So, if you have three Limoncellos in an hour, that will equate to 1.35 ounces of alcohol, giving you a BAC above the legal limit for driving a car.

About The Author

Charl Joost

Charl is a trainer, public speaker, and professional writer. While he has been coached to niche down, he has many passions. These include golf, gardening, technology, and a decent cup of coffee or two. Charl loves to learn about new products and tries everything he writes about.

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