10 Delicious Limoncello Cocktails

Enjoy the Lemon Liqueur's Sweet-Tart Taste in Delicious Drinks

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 07/14/21
Sparkling Shamrock Cocktail

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Limoncello is a luscious lemon liqueur with a beautiful mix of sweet and tart flavors that create delicious cocktails. While you might be inclined to group all limoncello cocktails with sweet dessert drinks, that's not always the case. It's a surprisingly versatile ingredient found in sweet whiskey teas, vodka martinis, and even a twisted tequila punch. With these limoncello drink recipes, you'll never wonder what to do with a bottle of limoncello again.

  • 01 of 10

    Easy Bourbon Tea

    Easy Bourbon Tea Recipe

    The Spruce / Ali Redmond

    Use limoncello to put the "sweet" in your summer tea. This bourbon tea recipe is delightfully simple, requiring nothing more than bourbon, limoncello, and iced tea. It's a great drink for a relaxing day in the backyard and can quickly be mixed up by the pitcher.

  • 02 of 10

    In & Out Lemontini

    In and Out Lemontini Cocktail

    Michael Deuson / Photodisc / Getty Images

    The in and out lemontini is one of the best ways to enjoy limoncello and your favorite vodka at the same time. This recipe simply rinses a cocktail glass with the sweet liqueur, then adds shaken vodka, leaving you with an incredibly quick citrus-kissed vodka martini.

    Freeze Your Limoncello

    Limoncello is fantastic on its own when served as a digestif, and it's best when well-chilled. Many limoncello fans like to keep the bottle in the freezer to ensure it's always cold, though a few hours will do just fine. Generally, the limoncello itself will not freeze. It is possible that some low-proof limoncello will get slushy if left in the freezer too long.

  • 03 of 10

    Tuscan Pear

    Grey Goose's Tuscan Pear Cocktail

    Rob Lawson / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    When you're ready for an adventure in flavor, the Tuscan pear is a great choice. This cocktail recipe begins with pear vodka, limoncello, and orange juice then adds a fabulous ginger snap. It's served in a sugar-rimmed glass over crushed ice and garnished with mint and pear for a presentation as impressive as the drink.

  • 04 of 10

    Lemon Cake

    RumChata Lemon Cake Cocktail recipe, in a glass

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    The lemon cake recipe is one of those dessert cocktails that limoncello is famous for, and it's effortless. All you need is a bottle of RumChata and one of limoncello. Combine the two, and you're ready to enjoy a creamy delight that's sure to satiate your sweet tooth.

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  • 05 of 10

    Good Luck Charm

    Bobby "G" Gleason's Good Luck Charm Cocktail
    Martin Poole / Getty Images

    An intriguing bourbon cocktail, this one is for the truly dedicated lemon lover. The good luck charm puts a very flavorful whiskey against both limoncello and lemon sour (a lemon-only version of sour mix). That sweet-tart bourbon background is then accented with fresh spearmint to bring you good fortune.

  • 06 of 10

    Devil's Punch

    Devil's Punch Tequila Cocktailv
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The devil's punch brings limoncello into the world of tequila. It's similar to the margarita, using the lemon liqueur to add a tantalizing twist to the mix of tequila, orange liqueur, and sour mix. The recipe makes a single cocktail, but there's no need to keep it to yourself. Increasing it to a party-worthy punch is easy.

  • 07 of 10

    Honey Citrus Drop Shooter

    Honey Citrus Drop Shot

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    The honey citrus drop shooter is one of the few recipes that call for a lemon liqueur. In these, limoncello is often your best choice because there are not many other options. A sweet, fruity shot, this recipe accents the lemon with a great honey liqueur and a touch of orange or pineapple juice. It's fun, unique, and has a great kick.

    Limoncello as a Substitute

    Limoncello can be used as a substitute for lemon simple syrup and in cocktails that use lemon juice and syrup separately. While you can typically get away with an equal measure, it's always a good idea to adjust it to taste.

  • 08 of 10

    Lavender Lemon Drop

    Lavender Lemon Drop Martini

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

    The lavender lemon drop is a perfect example of where you can use limoncello as a substitute. The floral vodka martini typically uses lemon juice and simple syrup, but you can pour 1 1/4 ounces of limoncello instead. If you like, skip the lemon vodka and pour your favorite unflavored vodka.

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  • 09 of 10

    Sparkling Shamrock

    Sparkling Shamrock Cocktail

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The bright taste of limoncello is ideal for softly flavored spring cocktails. A fine place to use it is with the fruity, floral freshness of the sparkling shamrock. Simplify the pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, and cucumber lemonade cocktail by pouring one ounce of limoncello rather than the lemon juice and simple syrup.

  • 10 of 10

    Vodka Collins

    Vodka Collins

    The Spruce

    Give the vodka collins a limoncello twist for a bright, refreshing highball. Again, pour a shot of limoncello along with the vodka, and skip the lemon juice and syrup. Top it with club soda, and add the orange and cherry garnishes for a quick, tasty drink.