If you're looking for a sweetly tart, vibrantly flavored cocktail, then limoncello liqueur may just become your new go-to ingredient. Like a burst of sunshine in a glass, limoncello cocktails will wake up your palate, lift your mood, and taste downright delicious. So, if you've never tried this lively Italian lemon liqueur, then run - don't walk - to your nearest retailer to grab a bottle and make some cocktails that'll have you saying, "Ciao bella" at your first sip.
Limoncello Tall Drink Recipes
Limoncello cocktails don't need to be complicated. With a simple highball, you can quickly stir a few ingredients in a tall glass. At your first sip, you'll be transported to the Amalfi Coast without a care in the world.
Limoncello Highball
The easiest of the limoncello cocktails, this punchy highball will be ready for you to sip after a quick stir.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces limoncello
- Club soda to top off
- Ice
- Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice and limoncello.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Dashing Limoncello Highball
Just a few dashes - that's all you need of your orange bitters to make this balanced, complex yet super simple drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces limoncello
- ½ ounce orange vodka
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- Club soda to top off
- Ice
- Lemon wheel garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, limoncello, orange vodka, and orange bitters.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Limoncello Collins
Tom's and John's more vibrant cousin, Limoncello Collins is a sweet, tart, and refreshing drink with a little added sass.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces limoncello
- ¾ ounce gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Club soda to top off
- Ice
- Orange wedge and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, limoncello, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.
Sparkling Limoncello Thyme Highball
The fragrant hint of savory thyme adds aromatics and a pop of flavor to this bubbly delight.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces limoncello
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce thyme simple syrup
- Prosecco to top off
- Ice
- Thyme sprig and lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, limoncello, lemon juice, and thyme simple syrup.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with the thyme sprig and lemon wedge.
Limoncello Cocktails to Wake Up Your Palate
Highballs are easy breezy, but that doesn't mean the rest of these cocktails are difficult. They're pretty easy too - and they pack lively flavors that'll keep you coming back for more. Better stock up on that limoncello.
Bacio del Limone
A kiss of lemon - that's what you'll get in this elegant drink. Bacio del limone means "lemon kiss" in Italian. Pucker up.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces prosecco or sparkling wine
- 1 ounce limoncello
- Crushed ice
- Raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a Champagne flute, add crushed ice and berries.
- In a glass or shaker, add prosecco and limoncello.
- Stir gently to mix, careful not to destroy the bubbles.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared Champagne flute.
Lemon Highlander
This limoncello cocktail is the perfect smokey drink. It's fruit forward without being sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Scotch
- ½ ounce Drambuie
- ½ ounce limoncello
- Ice or king cube
- Lemon wedge
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add ice, Scotch, Drambuie, and limoncello.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Limoncello Lemon Drop Martini
A lemon drop martini is an extension of the vodka martini, except drop the vermouth and add some kickin' lemon flavor. Oh. And a sweet sugar rim.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge
- Sugar
- 1½ ounces limoncello
- 1 ounce citron vodka
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- Rub the rim of the chilled glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, limoncello, citron vodka, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Frosty Lemon Martini
A riff on a lemon drop martini, this frosty version cuts out a few ingredients to simplify it, but it loses none of the flavor.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge
- Sugar
- 3 ounces citrus vodka
- 1 ounce limoncello
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Lemon wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Rub the outside rim of the cocktail glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire outer rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, citrus vodka, limoncello, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
The Paradiso
This limoncello cocktail is an adult screwdriver. The limoncello and Aperol bring a new twist to a classic brunch drink.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces orange vodka
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce fresh orange juice
- Ice
-
Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, orange vodka, limoncello, Aperol, and orange juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Limoncello Sunrise
One sip of this bright sunrise, and you'll be ready to play all day. Or at least sit around on the deck sipping more.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce limoncello
- 3 ounces fresh orange juice
- Splash of grenadine
- Crushed ice
- Orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a rock glass, add crushed ice, limoncello, and orange juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Add a splash of grenadine. Allow it to settle on the bottom - do not mix.
- Garnish with an orange wedge.
Limoncello Mojito
Mint and limoncello? Yes, please! If this drink doesn't refresh you, nothing will.
Ingredients
- 4 mint leaves
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1½ ounces limoncello
- 1 ounce white rum
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Soda water to top off
- Ice
- Lemon wheel, lime wheel, and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves with a splash of the simple syrup.
- Add ice, limoncello, rum, lemon juice, and the remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball or rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with soda water.
- Garnish with the citrus wheels and a mint sprig.
Bourbon Limoncello Smash
Limoncello is vibrant enough to stand up to the strong flavors in bourbon. Add a touch of honey, and you've got your new favorite bourbon tipple.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces bourbon
- 2 lemon wedges
- 1 ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey
- Ice
- Lemon wedge and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon wedges with a splash of the bourbon.
- Add ice, limoncello, lemon juice, honey, and the remaining bourbon.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge and mint sprig.
A Match Made in Italy
Limoncello recipes don't all need to be sweet, and they don't all need to be sour. They can be whatever you want them to be. So once you love these limoncello mixed drinks (and we know you will!) try a few more Italian cocktails. We promise you won't be sorry!
