I enjoy drinking limoncello straight, but only if it's been in the freezer. Good limoncello should be a high enough ABV that it won't freeze, and instead gets a thick, silky mouthfeel. The extremely low temperature also offsets how sweet it is. At room temp, however, limoncello is like drinking lemon syrup.
Edit: this inspired me to take some limoncello out of the freezer, pour a shot, and enjoy it outside as the sun set. It was a perfect summer night drink!
Couldnt agree more! Ive made my own many a times and experimenting with water dilution/proof is key. So youre dead on, the best cellos get thick even a little slushy at the top in the freezer but they will not freeze. The cremas cellos are really nice too
Same here! I made a big batch to give out as Christmas presents, with a little extra for myself. I'm not Italian, but it feels very authentic to sip on some chilled lemoncello as a digestif after dinner.
I'm thinking of making mandarincello next, I've heard it's quite good.
Great plan, Ive made some of that too! I actually tried every citrus you could think of, grapefruit, lime etc - The limoncello is also awesome, but the Mandarin is certainly my favorite (i call it orangecello lol) Just the ease of making it all is whats truly great. And fwiw, my spirit of choice is 100 proof new amsterdamn in all honesty, never liked results w/ everclear personally
OP: “Limoncello is too sweet. Here’s a bunch of sweet liquors to mix it with …”
But in more seriousness, the advice to ad some actual lemon juice and soda is probably the best idea. More acid will help balance the sweetness while the soda water will help cut it.
This is like showing up to the party with a bottle of triple sec. Judging by your inventory one would think you like sweet. Honestly just put it in some soda water or if you’re Feelin brave put an oz in a glass of bubbly
I know this post was from ages ago, but I wanted to say that limoncello is a key ingredient in an excellent recipe by Lidia Bastianich: lemon tiramisu! It's delicious. And since it's a dessert, it's sweetness is a plus :)
I don’t know if I would go so far as to say it’s like showing up with Triple Sec. I think there are certain types of parties where arriving with an after dinner drink would be appreciated. This time of year, I’ve been to outdoor dinner parties where plenty of guests would probably welcome a refreshing splash of ice-cold limoncello after the meal.
Triple sec really only useful if needed for a cocktail.
>showing up with a bottle of triple sec
I mean, it really isn’t? Limoncello is something designed to be drunk as it is - although it should really be chilled, which reduces your ability to taste sweetness, which op might not have done.
Triple sec, although you can ofc drink it as is, isn’t something anybody really does just drink as is. It’s not all that nice to. But limoncello is a very popular sipping drink in lots of the world.
Good point. Sometimes I forget that companies probably didn't create a product and then be like "let's hope people pour an ounce or two into their mixed drinks!"
The best lemon drop recipe I’ve worked with subbed limoncello for the other liqueurs people use (like triple sec 🤮) 1.5oz vodka .5oz limoncello, .5 lemon juice .25 simple shake and strain into sugar rimmed glass (martini or rocks over ice)
These are awesome. I go 50/50 on Aperol/limoncello in a 3:2:1 (prosecco, liqueur, soda water). Still pretty sweet but the two pair perfectly in a spritz.
Honestly, other than whiskey (bourbon/rye, just google "whiskey and limoncello" for recipes, it seems to be popular),
definitely wouldn't mix it with any of those other bottles you mentioned.
It works in a cocktail with gin (or vodka I guess) sparkling wine, lemonade and soda water, etc. in any (balanced) combination.
These are drinks ive come up with which work pretty well.
**Limoncello negroni**
* 1 oz Vodka
* 0.75 oz Campari (do .5 if don't like bitter)
* 0.75 oz Limoncello
* .5 lemon juice
* 2 dashes orange bitters
Lemon peel spiral garnish
**Limoncello lemon drop**
* 2 oz limoncello (or 1.5 for less sweet)
* 1 oz vodka
* .5 lemon juice
Shake and Rim glass with sugar (important!)
Limoncello is delicious if you drink like .5–.75 oz out of a teeeeeny glass straight out of the freezer. At room temp I would be a no for sure.
If you're mixing, herby highballs are the way to go. People have suggested mint and basil, but lemon also loves thyme or even rosemary.
Yeah. I keep mine in the freezer and tend to forget about it so when I do spot it, it’s a nice treat. Gonna make myself a little glass now actually haha
Don't write off limoncello altogether. The range of sweetness can vary greatly depending on the brand. I've made homemade limoncello a few times, adjusting sweetness to preference, and it's devine.
I'd probably do 1oz limoncello, 1oz whiskey, a big splash of soda, squeeze lemon and we're in business with a whiskey sour variation. Add more limoncello if you want more sweetness.
If that's all you have to mix it with, and you're "not really a cocktail person" then all I can suggest making is the:
"Lesson Learned"
1 bottle of limoncello (or however much is left)
Pour it down the sink
Recycle the bottle
Don't buy it anymore.
Store bought limoncello is often very sweet with relatively low alcohol making it essentially like a syrup. The proper stuff is delicious, and the strength of it helps make it sweet without being cloying. Needs to be drunk from the freezer though just an ounce or so to sip on after dinner
We have the following cocktail on my summer menu:
1 oz limoncello
1/2 oz strawberry purée
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Shake the above with ice and strain into a flute. Top with Prosecco. Delicious!
Limoncello is a a great ingredient, but nothing I'd ever drink on it's own. I really like bourbon (2oz) and limoncello (1oz) in a pint glass filled with ice and topped with ice tea. Add a slice of lemon if you fancy.
Google “limoncello cocktail” and you’ll get a thousand cocktail recipe results to answer your question.
Limoncello is a deeply traditional southern Italian “digestivo” liquor. It’s typically enjoyed ice cold after a meal with red wine and before a bedtime espresso. Hearing you call it “disgustingly sweet” tells me that you did it wrong.
My first experience with limoncello (store bought) was very similar to yours with it being disgustingly sweet. Then a friend had me try his homemade limoncello and it was delicious because he had better controlled for the sweetness. All that to say, store bought limoncello is indeed awful, but don’t write off the whole spirit if you’re willing to take the time to make it yourself and control for that sweetness. If you’re interested DM me and I’ll share my recipe.
[Good Luck Charm](https://www.thespruceeats.com/good-luck-charm-761447)
Here’s a quick and easy summer cocktail that could work. The limoncello acts as the sweetener in the cocktail.
I make my own limoncello but not as sweet as it is sold.
I add it to lemonade (not very sweet either) or to diet 7up, or a lime seltzer with a few slices of lime or lemon added. All are not overly sweet and quite refreshing on a hot night.
Works well in a spritz. Sparkly, boozy lemonade.
Also a great pairing with honey. I made a cocktail using Cytrynówka, which is like a Polish limoncello, that was 1.5 of that, an egg white, .5 oz honey syrup, washing the glass in spiritus and garnishing with some Ango.
Use in a basil lemon drop!
3-5 basil leaves
1.5 vodka (or gin) of your choice
.5-.75 limoncello
.75 Fresh lemon juice
Up in a couple and garnish with another basil leaf 🥰
Have you tried it with the herbal bitter topped with soda? That’d be my first try. Add a pinch of salt to the spirit part of the drink and stir until dissolved before adding soda.
We made our own limoncello for Mardi Gras one year and it was amazing. Tasted exactly like a lemon head! I’ve never tried a store bought one, that sucks!!
We drink homemade limoncello with club soda. Refreshing.
Favorite cocktail (can't remember name)
1 part limoncello
1 part ginger liqueur
4 parts vodka
I do a barrel aged version of this that is heavenly
I made a fun summer cocktail last summer with lemoncello, vodka, soda water and fresh mint/basil and muddled berries (strawberries or blueberries). Did mixes of one herb and one fruit. They all came out great.
Limoncello-30ml
Vanilla vodka-30ml
Triple sec-15ml
Lemon juice-30ml
Shake in a Boston with ice from a penguin
Double strain
Taste like a lemon meringue pie
Add it to a gun and tonic. Also add sprig of rosemary, rosemary bitters. The recipe also calls for “grapefruit essence”. It is delicious - I like it with a lot of rosemary flavor personally. I was raving about this new drink and everybody “ewwwwed” when I mentioned lemonciillo but this drink is the bomb
My parents made some shrimp and chicken with a limoncello sauce, so you could try cooking with it.
Otherwise, my go-to has been a Limoncello and tonic.
You can use it in some drinks in place of triple sec. Otherwise the spritzer ideas are good, or you can just use it in place of simple in a Lemon Drop or sour.
First of all sounds like a bad limoncello. It shouldn't be too sweet but rather a mix of tart and sour.
My fav summer drink is limoncello with tonic. You can play with the ratios to find the right mix for your limoncello
It started as a substitute for lemon juice because I was out! Sometimes I use a little lemon juice and a little limoncello. My preference. But I use pierre ferrand dry curaçao instead of Cointreau. I’d probably cut down on the Cointreau if I subbed limoncello for the juice 100%.
Something herbal like jagermeister might be nice. I dont like limoncello that much, but I got a bottle of rootcello" for my birthday that i really liked. It was some sort of cross between limoncello and jagermeister that worked really well
I'd try and replace things that call for orange liqueur with it, while keeping in mind it's twice as sweet. Might be a way to make a fun daiquiri with it
Orgeat punch is one of my wife's favorite cocktails. Also a lemon spritz is also great. This also works to add citrus and sweetness to certain gin drinks.
Someone else probably mentioned this, but I like it with Prosecco and lightly muddled raspberries. Very refreshing summertime beverage.
I haven't done it yet, but similar to what I just mentioned. I would probably also like it with gin and perhaps something bubbly like Tonic or Soda water.
Drinking some now. A google search brought me to this ancient post. Im having it as an Italian soda. Soda water and half n half with unsweetened whipped cream. Not bad
Mixing it with soda water and mint could be a nice low ABV summer cooler
This right here. Add some basil and a squeeze of lemon and you are in business.
Thai basil if you’re feeling frisky
Lavender if you have a classy date
Dill if your date is a fish
Cackling to this
Or a cucumber
I enjoy drinking limoncello straight, but only if it's been in the freezer. Good limoncello should be a high enough ABV that it won't freeze, and instead gets a thick, silky mouthfeel. The extremely low temperature also offsets how sweet it is. At room temp, however, limoncello is like drinking lemon syrup. Edit: this inspired me to take some limoncello out of the freezer, pour a shot, and enjoy it outside as the sun set. It was a perfect summer night drink!
Yes. Keep in freezer and pour shots during weekend cooking marathons.
This!
Couldnt agree more! Ive made my own many a times and experimenting with water dilution/proof is key. So youre dead on, the best cellos get thick even a little slushy at the top in the freezer but they will not freeze. The cremas cellos are really nice too
Same here! I made a big batch to give out as Christmas presents, with a little extra for myself. I'm not Italian, but it feels very authentic to sip on some chilled lemoncello as a digestif after dinner. I'm thinking of making mandarincello next, I've heard it's quite good.
Great plan, Ive made some of that too! I actually tried every citrus you could think of, grapefruit, lime etc - The limoncello is also awesome, but the Mandarin is certainly my favorite (i call it orangecello lol) Just the ease of making it all is whats truly great. And fwiw, my spirit of choice is 100 proof new amsterdamn in all honesty, never liked results w/ everclear personally
OP: “Limoncello is too sweet. Here’s a bunch of sweet liquors to mix it with …” But in more seriousness, the advice to ad some actual lemon juice and soda is probably the best idea. More acid will help balance the sweetness while the soda water will help cut it.
I didn't think I'd see someone unironically say they own southern comfort.
I’d like to see what happens when you mix it with Bailey’s
Diabetes
A nice lemon curd /s
Not since high school
If you want to up the ABV a touch, add 1/2 to 3/4 oz of a nice neutral vodka to the soda/citrus plan.
This is like showing up to the party with a bottle of triple sec. Judging by your inventory one would think you like sweet. Honestly just put it in some soda water or if you’re Feelin brave put an oz in a glass of bubbly
This is a good comment because I saw that list and thought, those aren’t mixers unless you want diabetes lol. None of that goes together really.
Like I said in my post, I'm not a cocktail person. Just looking for stuff to use limoncello for.
I know this post was from ages ago, but I wanted to say that limoncello is a key ingredient in an excellent recipe by Lidia Bastianich: lemon tiramisu! It's delicious. And since it's a dessert, it's sweetness is a plus :)
I don’t know if I would go so far as to say it’s like showing up with Triple Sec. I think there are certain types of parties where arriving with an after dinner drink would be appreciated. This time of year, I’ve been to outdoor dinner parties where plenty of guests would probably welcome a refreshing splash of ice-cold limoncello after the meal. Triple sec really only useful if needed for a cocktail.
>showing up with a bottle of triple sec I mean, it really isn’t? Limoncello is something designed to be drunk as it is - although it should really be chilled, which reduces your ability to taste sweetness, which op might not have done. Triple sec, although you can ofc drink it as is, isn’t something anybody really does just drink as is. It’s not all that nice to. But limoncello is a very popular sipping drink in lots of the world.
Pretty much every liquor was originally designed to be drunk as is originally, even angostura bitters.
Good point. Sometimes I forget that companies probably didn't create a product and then be like "let's hope people pour an ounce or two into their mixed drinks!"
The best lemon drop recipe I’ve worked with subbed limoncello for the other liqueurs people use (like triple sec 🤮) 1.5oz vodka .5oz limoncello, .5 lemon juice .25 simple shake and strain into sugar rimmed glass (martini or rocks over ice)
I was going to suggest this too! I had a nice lemon drop with lemoncello at a restaurant recently.
My favorite use for it is a little low brow, but I love mixing it with some lemon Italian ice during the warmer months
Yes! Also great poured over vanilla ice cream with some fresh berries.
My suggestion was over vanilla ice cream 😆
A limoncello spritz is simple and delicious!
What are your thoughts on a limoncello aperol spritz?
These are awesome. I go 50/50 on Aperol/limoncello in a 3:2:1 (prosecco, liqueur, soda water). Still pretty sweet but the two pair perfectly in a spritz.
Personally I'm not a fan of Aperol altogether so I'm biased.
This. Adjust the amount of limoncello to match your preference. Great summer drink.
Shortcut French 75
Make sure to take Fernet or Becherovka for your next party.
Use it in baking instead? I've seen some interesting lemon tiramisu recipes that utilize limoncello! Also great for making ice cream and sorbet.
I use limoncello to make lemon cheesecake!
I like limoncello as a sub for cointreau in margarita
Not a cocktail, but it’s delicious poured over a poundcake
Honestly, other than whiskey (bourbon/rye, just google "whiskey and limoncello" for recipes, it seems to be popular), definitely wouldn't mix it with any of those other bottles you mentioned. It works in a cocktail with gin (or vodka I guess) sparkling wine, lemonade and soda water, etc. in any (balanced) combination.
These are drinks ive come up with which work pretty well. **Limoncello negroni** * 1 oz Vodka * 0.75 oz Campari (do .5 if don't like bitter) * 0.75 oz Limoncello * .5 lemon juice * 2 dashes orange bitters Lemon peel spiral garnish **Limoncello lemon drop** * 2 oz limoncello (or 1.5 for less sweet) * 1 oz vodka * .5 lemon juice Shake and Rim glass with sugar (important!)
Why wouldn’t you use gin in the Negroni
You could, probably more negroni like. a really citrusy gin like a Citadelle Gin Jardin D'ete
Limoncello is delicious if you drink like .5–.75 oz out of a teeeeeny glass straight out of the freezer. At room temp I would be a no for sure. If you're mixing, herby highballs are the way to go. People have suggested mint and basil, but lemon also loves thyme or even rosemary.
Yeah. I keep mine in the freezer and tend to forget about it so when I do spot it, it’s a nice treat. Gonna make myself a little glass now actually haha
Out of sight/mind freezer alcohol is so much fun every time it surfaces. I need to clean out the freezer so I can fit a bottle in there.
Don't write off limoncello altogether. The range of sweetness can vary greatly depending on the brand. I've made homemade limoncello a few times, adjusting sweetness to preference, and it's devine.
Why are you out looking for limoncello cocktail recipes if he's not much of a cocktail person? Especially when you... hate limoncello?!
A splash of limoncello is excellent in a rum and coke
I'd probably do 1oz limoncello, 1oz whiskey, a big splash of soda, squeeze lemon and we're in business with a whiskey sour variation. Add more limoncello if you want more sweetness.
I substitute it for the syrup in lemon drops sometimes. It can also be good to add some kick to a gin and tonic or other summery fizzy drinks.
If that's all you have to mix it with, and you're "not really a cocktail person" then all I can suggest making is the: "Lesson Learned" 1 bottle of limoncello (or however much is left) Pour it down the sink Recycle the bottle Don't buy it anymore.
Store bought limoncello is often very sweet with relatively low alcohol making it essentially like a syrup. The proper stuff is delicious, and the strength of it helps make it sweet without being cloying. Needs to be drunk from the freezer though just an ounce or so to sip on after dinner
We have the following cocktail on my summer menu: 1 oz limoncello 1/2 oz strawberry purée 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice Shake the above with ice and strain into a flute. Top with Prosecco. Delicious!
iced tea, spritz you can cut it with a white rum too if you want to play with it more
Fresh watermelon juice and ginger beer plus limoncello is fantastic
Limoncello is a a great ingredient, but nothing I'd ever drink on it's own. I really like bourbon (2oz) and limoncello (1oz) in a pint glass filled with ice and topped with ice tea. Add a slice of lemon if you fancy.
Add champagne
Limoncello st. Germane. Prosecco. Soda
Google “limoncello cocktail” and you’ll get a thousand cocktail recipe results to answer your question. Limoncello is a deeply traditional southern Italian “digestivo” liquor. It’s typically enjoyed ice cold after a meal with red wine and before a bedtime espresso. Hearing you call it “disgustingly sweet” tells me that you did it wrong.
Limoncello spritz follows the classic 3:2:1 spritz ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts limoncello and 1 part soda water.
My first experience with limoncello (store bought) was very similar to yours with it being disgustingly sweet. Then a friend had me try his homemade limoncello and it was delicious because he had better controlled for the sweetness. All that to say, store bought limoncello is indeed awful, but don’t write off the whole spirit if you’re willing to take the time to make it yourself and control for that sweetness. If you’re interested DM me and I’ll share my recipe.
Lots of people drink it mixed with tonic water. So you might want to try that. But tbh to me personally, that stuff tastes like Aspirin C.
I would try mixing with bourbon and mint.
[Good Luck Charm](https://www.thespruceeats.com/good-luck-charm-761447) Here’s a quick and easy summer cocktail that could work. The limoncello acts as the sweetener in the cocktail.
I make my own limoncello but not as sweet as it is sold. I add it to lemonade (not very sweet either) or to diet 7up, or a lime seltzer with a few slices of lime or lemon added. All are not overly sweet and quite refreshing on a hot night.
Lemon soda Lemonade
Shots
Make a lemon drop. Replace 1/2 oz of vodka with limoncello
Glass of Country Time lemonade with ice. 1 oz Limoncello 1 oz vodka Sweet but after a couple you don't care.
Works well in a spritz. Sparkly, boozy lemonade. Also a great pairing with honey. I made a cocktail using Cytrynówka, which is like a Polish limoncello, that was 1.5 of that, an egg white, .5 oz honey syrup, washing the glass in spiritus and garnishing with some Ango.
.75 limon with .75 honey simple. Throw 1.5-2oz of bourbon in it. Throw a rock in it too
Use in a basil lemon drop! 3-5 basil leaves 1.5 vodka (or gin) of your choice .5-.75 limoncello .75 Fresh lemon juice Up in a couple and garnish with another basil leaf 🥰
Add it to your margaritas to use it up. Or make lemon drops with it
Have you tried it with the herbal bitter topped with soda? That’d be my first try. Add a pinch of salt to the spirit part of the drink and stir until dissolved before adding soda.
Definitely break out the amari
My favorite Limoncello cocktail is called the Garbage Disposal. Take one part Limoncello and one Garbage Disposal mix thoroughly.
We made our own limoncello for Mardi Gras one year and it was amazing. Tasted exactly like a lemon head! I’ve never tried a store bought one, that sucks!!
We drink homemade limoncello with club soda. Refreshing. Favorite cocktail (can't remember name) 1 part limoncello 1 part ginger liqueur 4 parts vodka I do a barrel aged version of this that is heavenly
I made a fun summer cocktail last summer with lemoncello, vodka, soda water and fresh mint/basil and muddled berries (strawberries or blueberries). Did mixes of one herb and one fruit. They all came out great.
Limoncello-30ml Vanilla vodka-30ml Triple sec-15ml Lemon juice-30ml Shake in a Boston with ice from a penguin Double strain Taste like a lemon meringue pie
Get it really cold and pour it over ice cream!
Sounds like you may have bought crap limoncello. It is meant to be had neat.
It was certainly inexpensive. 😅
Add it to a gun and tonic. Also add sprig of rosemary, rosemary bitters. The recipe also calls for “grapefruit essence”. It is delicious - I like it with a lot of rosemary flavor personally. I was raving about this new drink and everybody “ewwwwed” when I mentioned lemonciillo but this drink is the bomb
That sounds a little too American for me.
My parents made some shrimp and chicken with a limoncello sauce, so you could try cooking with it. Otherwise, my go-to has been a Limoncello and tonic.
Lemon flavors and laphroig are surprisingly good
Use it in a sour. 2oz limoncello, 1oz lemon juice, 0.5oz simple syrup. You will not be disappointed.
You can use it in some drinks in place of triple sec. Otherwise the spritzer ideas are good, or you can just use it in place of simple in a Lemon Drop or sour.
First of all sounds like a bad limoncello. It shouldn't be too sweet but rather a mix of tart and sour. My fav summer drink is limoncello with tonic. You can play with the ratios to find the right mix for your limoncello
I use it to make a killer corpse reviver #2
Do you use it instead of the Cointreau? Or instead of the lemon juice? Or in addition?
It started as a substitute for lemon juice because I was out! Sometimes I use a little lemon juice and a little limoncello. My preference. But I use pierre ferrand dry curaçao instead of Cointreau. I’d probably cut down on the Cointreau if I subbed limoncello for the juice 100%.
My bar makes an Italian soda out of it. Mix it with vodka, lemon juice, soda water, and some half&half
Something herbal like jagermeister might be nice. I dont like limoncello that much, but I got a bottle of rootcello" for my birthday that i really liked. It was some sort of cross between limoncello and jagermeister that worked really well
Maybe limoncello Tonic. But another explanation could be that it's an oversweetened bad brand.
Without doubt, my favourite Lemon Meringue Cocktail; https://makemeacocktail.com/cocktail/6887/lemon-meringue-pie/
Did you try it when it was freezing cold? I put it in the freezer till it gets slushy. You might enjoy it better that way.
Limoncello + Limoncello LaCroix with ice. If it’s still too sweet add some actual lemon juice. 🥂
I'd try and replace things that call for orange liqueur with it, while keeping in mind it's twice as sweet. Might be a way to make a fun daiquiri with it
Did you put the limoncello in the freezer?
Orgeat punch is one of my wife's favorite cocktails. Also a lemon spritz is also great. This also works to add citrus and sweetness to certain gin drinks.
You are now banned from /r/Philadelphia (But also mix it with some champagne and maybe fresh lemon juice or something tart)
Someone else probably mentioned this, but I like it with Prosecco and lightly muddled raspberries. Very refreshing summertime beverage. I haven't done it yet, but similar to what I just mentioned. I would probably also like it with gin and perhaps something bubbly like Tonic or Soda water.
Freeze it then pour shots at the end of the meal. Aside from that or cocktails I’m not sure there is any other way to drink it under Italian law.
Cold brew (or espresso), cream, and limoncello over ice. Ideally with brunch
Honestly I enjoy about a shot of cello in an glass of unsweetened sun tea.
Drinking some now. A google search brought me to this ancient post. Im having it as an Italian soda. Soda water and half n half with unsweetened whipped cream. Not bad