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Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur with an intense lemon flavor! Drink it straight or add it to co*cktail recipes for a citrus burst.
Once you’ve had limoncello, there’s no going back. The burst of pure citrus flavor is mind-bogglingly intense and invigorating! This Italian liqueur sends us right to the Amalfi Coast of Italy, where it’s sold in every shop and it’s served at the end of a big meal. It’s great as a shot, but we also love it in co*cktail recipes where it adds a lemon candy-like flavor. Here’s more about this uniquely delicious liqueur and the best drink recipes to use it.
What is limoncello?
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur made with lemon zest, sugar, and neutral alcohol (usually vodka). It’s the second most popular liqueur in Italy after Campari. While it’s most strongly associated with the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri, it’s made all over Italy by large and small producers. Limoncello is commonly served straight and chilled after a meal, called a digestif or digestivo.
Limoncello originated in the early 1900’s, though the exact origin story is debatable. People in Capri claim the recipe comes from a woman named Maria Antonia Faracehas, whose grandnephew trademarked the term “Limoncello” in 1988. The city of Sorrento has other origin stories. Either way, it’s commonplace in many countries in Europe and has recently become very popular in the US.
What alcohol is in limoncello? Limoncello is made with a neutral alcohol: vodka, grappa or rectified spirit (highly concentrated ethanol).
How to pronounce limoncello?It’s Italian, so say it “Lee-moan-cheh-lo.”
What does limoncello taste like?
Limoncello tastes sweet with an intensely concentrated citrus flavor, like drinking lemon candies. Drunk straight as a chilled shot, it’s both refreshing and invigorating. The pure lemon flavor is like no other liqueur.
How much alcohol is in limoncello?It is 30% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has a relatively high alcohol content for a liqueur.
Are there any limoncello substitutes?Not really. You can try a lemon syrup, like Torani Lemon Syrup or Monin Lemon Syrup. But your best bet is the real thing. It’s easy to find at most liquor stores.
Can you make limoncello?
Yes! Limoncello is relatively simple to make at home. You’ll need vodka, lots of lemon peels, and sugar. The lemon and alcohol mixture sits for 5 days and up to 1 month (for the strongest flavor), so it’s a long-term commitment. Go to How to Make Limoncello.
Why we like it
The pure lemon flavor of limoncello is uniquely citrusy, with the bonus of nostalgia factor if you’re a lover of all things Italy. It’s great as a chilled shot (you can store it in the freezer). But we like to get creative with it and use it to infuse massive lemony flavor into co*cktails.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liquors, limoncello ismid-priced. A 750 ml bottle costs about $20. We like the Luxardo brand (shown here).
Best limoncello drink recipes
Limoncello is traditionally consumed as a shot, so it’s not often mixed into co*cktails. But it’s a fantastic drink mixer because of its jolt of zingy lemon flavor. Here are a few great limoncello co*cktail recipes to start with:
Limoncello Mojito
Got limoncello? This Limoncello Mojito is a way to make a uniquely refreshing drink with this famous citrus liqueur! Make it into this classic Cuban co*cktail: its bright lemon flavor pairs perfectly with fresh mint and white rum. The limoncello adds a pure lemon flavor that’s impossible to get from lemon juice alone.
Ingredients: Limoncello, mint, lime juice, simple syrup, white rum, soda water
Limoncello Spritz
Here’s anItalian-style co*cktailthat’s bubbly and flavored with pure lemon: theLimoncello Spritz! This ultra strong lemon liquor is at its best in mixed drinks. This spin on the Aperol spritz is full of bright lemon flavor and even better than the original, we think.
Ingredients: Limoncello, sparkling wine (Prosecco or champagne), soda water
Limoncello Martini
Citrus lovers, here’s your perfect drink! It’s got an intense lemon flavor and a zingy finish. Take one sip and you’ll feel like you’re biting into a lemon…with none of that sour puckering flavor. It’s sweet tart and delicious, with a bit of a vibe of lemonhead candy.
Ingredients: Limoncello, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup
3 Limoncello co*cktails!
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur with an intense lemon flavor! Drink it straight or add it to co*cktail recipes for a citrus burst.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Limoncello Mojito
- 3 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1 ounce* lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounces limoncello
- 1 ounces white rum
- 4 ounces soda water
- For serving: Ice (try clear ice!)
For the Limoncello Spritz
- 2 ounces* limoncello, chilled if possible
- 3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
- 1 ounce soda water
- For the garnish: ice (try clear ice!), mint, lemon rounds
For the Limoncello Martini:
- 1 ½ ounces* limoncello
- 1 ounce vodka
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
Instructions
- For the Limoncello Mojito: In a co*cktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves. Add the lime juice, simple syrup, limoncello, and rum and fill the co*cktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold. Fill a hurricane or highball glass with ice, then strain in the liquid. Top off the glass with soda water. Garnish with additional mint leaves.
- For the Limoncello Spritz:Add the limoncello to a glass filled with ice and stir.Top with the sparkling wine andsoda water. Add mint and serve.
- For the Limoncello Martini: Add the limoncello, vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup to a co*cktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into a co*cktail glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: co*cktails
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Limoncello, limoncello recipe
More co*cktail guides
Need moreliquor guides? We’ve got them! Here’s all you need to know about home bartending:
- Aperol GuideandCampari GuideAll you need to know about these Italian liqueurs.
- Baileys GuideAll the ins and outs of Irish Cream.
- Chartreuse GuideThis pale green liqueur is worth adding to your collection…here’s why.
- Cointreau Guide,Blue Curacao Guide,orOrange Liqueur GuideCitrus liqueurs…broken down.
- Galliano GuideIs this bright yellow liqueur worth buying?
- Grenadine GuideIt’s mistaken as cherry, but this bright syrup has a secret.
- Fernet Branca GuideHere’s why people love this Italian bitter.
- Kahlua GuideLearn about this popular Mexican coffee liqueur
- Peanut Butter Whiskey GuideAll about the uniquely nutty Skrewball
- PernodMore about this anise-flavored liqueur
Published on / Last updated on
Categorized In:
- Drink Recipes
- Liquor Guides
- Recipes
Tagged with:
- Limoncello
About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.
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