Limoncello
/
logo

Make Me a Cocktail

Limoncello
Cocktail recipe

Rating

3.97 / 5
Limoncello is a delightful and zesty Italian liqueur well-known for its bold lemon flavor. This vibrant and aromatic cocktail is traditionally made with vodka infused with lemon zest, giving it a citrusy and refreshing essence. It's usually sweetened with sugar to balance the tartness of the lemon, resulting in a smooth and sweetly inviting drink. The bright lemon profile of Limoncello makes it a popular choice for sipping as a chilled digestive after meals, often served in a small cordial glass or snifter to enhance its intense flavors. The process of creating Limoncello involves patience, with the ingredients requiring several weeks of resting for the flavors to fully meld, ensuring a high-quality and robust liqueur experience.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vodka
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2045 calories
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39.53% | 40 units *

Tags

Vodka ingredient icon
Vodka cocktails

Pitcher glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Vodka cocktail ingredient icon for the Limoncello cocktail
Vodka
Lemon cocktail ingredient icon for the Limoncello cocktail
Lemons
Sugar cocktail ingredient icon for the Limoncello cocktail
Sugar
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

4/5

Limoncello embraces the zestiness of lemons in an aromatic concoction that highlights the sharpness of vodka tempered by the sweetness of sugar. Traditionally served chilled, this Italian classic is both a palate cleanser and a delightful digestif, embodying a fresh and tangy essence.

Method
How to make a Limoncello

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Zest the lemons and combine the zest and vodka in a non-reactive jug with a cover
Store for two weeks in cool, dark, space
After two weeks, prepare the syrup by heating a cup of water and a cup of sugar, then cool
Line a funnel with cheesecloth and strain the vodka mixture into a serving bottle
Discard the zest
Add syrup to the bottle and store again for one more week in a cool, dark, space
At the conclusion of the third week, serve chilled in cordial glass or snifter as a digestive
~ Recipe is enough for one bottle. The original recipe calls for putting the finished Limoncello in the freezer and serving straight from there. I think the lemon flavour is more notable if it's chilled rather than frozen. Also, you are left with a lot of naked lemons. When making this, I recommend having a plan for using them. I stuffed two of the lemons into the cavity of a roasting chicken, and then rubbed the skin with the juice from another along with garlic, oregano, and rosemary. World Market and Pier 1 both sell cheap but attractive glass bottles for storing the Limoncello. ~

Power tips
Elevate the Limoncello with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Zest  ·  Strain  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

~ Not featured in any of your lists, or any public lists, register as a user to create a list and add this cocktail. We'll then show the lists here ~

FAQ's

Ingredient specifics icon

What type of lemons are best to use for making Limoncello?

The best lemons for making Limoncello are Sorrento or Amalfi lemons, known for their aromatic peel and strong flavor. However, if these are not available, you can use organic lemons, ensuring they are not waxed or treated with pesticides.

Serving suggestions icon

How should Limoncello be served for optimal enjoyment?

Limoncello should be served well chilled, straight from the freezer. Pour it into small chilled glasses to enjoy its full flavor and refreshing qualities.

Preparation techniques icon

What is the importance of the infusion time in making Limoncello?

The infusion time is crucial in making Limoncello as it determines the intensity of the lemon flavor. Typically, lemons are infused with vodka for about 2 to 4 weeks. A longer infusion time will result in a stronger lemon flavor and deeper color.

Alcohol content comparison icon

How does the alcohol content of Limoncello compare to other spirits or liquors?

Limoncello typically has an alcohol content around 30% to 40%, which is lower than most hard spirits like vodka, whiskey, or rum that usually have around 40% to 50% alcohol by volume. However, Limoncello's alcohol content is higher than many sweet liqueurs.

Non alcoholic variations icon

Is there a non-alcoholic version of Limoncello, and how is it made?

Yes, a non-alcoholic version of Limoncello can be made by substituting vodka with a lemon-flavored syrup or water mixed with lemon juice and zest for the infusion process. Sugar is adjusted to taste, creating a refreshing lemon-flavored drink without the alcohol.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now for free Find out more about premium

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating

You might also like

Vesper

Classic

The drink was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale. "A dry...

Appletini

The Appletini, also known as an Apple Martini, is a popular cocktail that offers a twist on the traditional martini...

Aunt Roberta

Known colloquially as 'The Worlds Deadliest Cocktail', The Aunt Roberta cocktail is a potent concoction that blends the warming notes...

Watermelon Fruitini

Classic

The Watermelon Fruitini is a vibrant and refreshing cocktail that perfectly captures the essence of summertime. It combines the juicy...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image