Easy Limoncello Recipe: Best Alcohols to Pair With Limoncello

Limoncello, sometimes spelled lemoncello, is an Italian liqueur made from a blend of vodka (or similar grain alcohol) and sugar syrup infused with lemon peels. The result is a lemony, tangy-sweet beverage with a kick, thanks to an alcohol content hovering around 30 percent. Traditionally, you serve the lemon liqueur chilled in a shot glass or incorporated into mixed drinks.

Limoncello only utilizes the lemon peels; save the lemon juice for another use, like lemonade, or freeze it in ice cube trays for easy pre-portioned use in cooking.

Certain lemon varieties bring different elements to a batch of limoncello. Generally, it’s best to use organic lemons, which don’t have a thin wax coating like many non-organic lemons.

1. 1. Sorrento lemons: Italians make limoncello with Sorrento lemons, or the Sfusato Amalfitano, the Amalfi lemon, a varietal with a particularly aromatic and oily peel—all the better for infusing the alcohol.
2. 2. Eureka lemons: Eureka lemons are the standard lemon you’ll find at the grocery store. They have a thick rind and pleasantly tart acidity.
3. 3. Meyer lemons: For more of a floral lemon flavor, use sweet, thin-skinned Meyer lemons.
4. 4. Other citrus fruits: For a spin on limoncello, swap lemons for grapefruit, limes, or blood oranges, or combine them for a custom citrus blend.

Enjoy limoncello on its own, or use it as an accent with other ingredients. If it’s your first time making a batch of limoncello, consider pairing the liqueur with the following alcohols:

1. 1. Vodka: A shot of the sweetened, infused vodka in a simple Vodka Martini adds flavor and a hint of sweetness without straying too far from the drink’s essential nature.
2. 2. Bourbon: Bourbon is a popular whiskey that typically boasts strong oak, caramel, and vanilla flavors. Pair a few ounces of bourbon with limoncello and iced tea for a refreshing summertime drink.
3. 3. Ginger beer: Limoncello is a natural fit for spicy, tangy ginger beer. Add a shot to a highball glass of ginger beer on ice and stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Once you know how to make limoncello, there’s a whole world of cocktails to use it with, from martinis to mixed drinks.

1. 1. Bourbon Tea: This hot-weather favorite combines spicy bourbon and bright limoncello with iced tea.
2. 2. Limoncello Mojito: Add a burst of citrus flavor to a standard minty Rum Mojito with a shot of limoncello. Learn how to make a Mojito at home.
3. 3. Limoncello Lemon Drop: This classic lemon drop cocktail upgrade combines limoncello with vodka, fresh lemon juice, and triple sec.
4. 4. Devil’s Punch: The Devil’s Punch combines the potent, smoked notes of tequila with a host of citrus flavors: limoncello, orange liqueur, sour mix, and fresh orange juice.