5 Must Mix Limoncello Cocktails

By Vicki Cruz

Even people who have never been to Italy usually have heard of Limoncello.

Its sweet, tangy flavor and velvety texture — especially when served straight from the freezer — is unforgettable. In general, Limoncello is sipped solo, but its lemon flavor makes it a natural modifier for cocktails. In particular, it shines when used to tweak classics or to add an additional sweet citrus burst.

Instead of a Cosmopolitan, try a Limoncé Limon Blush.

Limoncé Limon Blush

Limoncé Limon Blush

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Limoncé Limon Blush

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Limoncello
  • 3 oz. Lemonade
  • 1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Soda Water
  • 1 Lemon Wedge

Preparation: Add all ingredients, except soda, to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a tall glass filled with ice, top with soda. Garnish with a wedge of lemon.


Update your Screwdriver with The Paradiso.

The Paradiso

The Paradiso

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

The Paradiso

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. Orange Vodka
  • 1/2 oz. Limoncello
  • 1/2 oz. Aperol or Campari
  • 1 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
  • Blood Orange Wedge (for garnish)

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a blood orange wedge.


Love a Tequila Sunrise? Then juice it up with a Limoncello Sunrise.

Limoncello Sunrise

Limoncello Sunrise

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Limoncello Sunrise

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Limoncello
  • 3 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
  • Splash of Grenadine

Preparation: Fill a tall glass with ice and add limoncello and orange juice. Stir to combine. Add a splash of grenadine but do not stir, allowing it to settle to the bottom. Serve garnished with an orange slice.


Here is a lemon creamsicle in a glass.

Lemon Meringue Martini

Lemon Meringue Martini

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Lemon Meringue Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Limoncello
  • 1 oz. UV Whipped Vodka
  • 1/2 oz. Lemonade
  • 1/2 oz. Fat-free Half and Half
  • Sugar (for rim)

Preparation: Prepare sugar rim by rubbing the rim of a martini glass with lemon juice or simple syrup, then dipping it in sugar. Add all the ingredients to an ice-filled shaker and shake well to combine. Strain into the prepared glass.


Even Bobby Flay loves Limoncello.

Raspberry Basil Limoncello

Raspberry Basil Limoncello

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Raspberry Basil Limoncello Cocktail

Courtesy Bobby Flay

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint Fresh Raspberries (plus more for garnish)
  • 12 Fresh Basil Leaves (roughly torn, plus sprigs for garnish)
  • 1 Lemon (cut into sixths, plus wheels for garnish)
  • 1/4 cup Simple Syrup, Chilled (more if you prefer the cocktail a little sweeter)
  • 2 oz. Limoncello
  • 4 oz. Citron Vodka
  • Crushed Ice
  • Sparkling White Wine, Chilled

Preparation: Combine the raspberries, basil, lemons and simple syrup in a small pitcher and muddle until the raspberries are mashed. Add the Limoncello and vodka. Let chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Put crushed ice into rocks glasses and add some of the raspberry mixture. Fill to the top with sparkling wine. Garnish with lemon and raspberries and basil sprigs if desired.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!