Put a batch of bright lemons to good use in this easy limoncello recipe. 

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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-simple-syrup-for-cocktails) 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. __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. __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. __Meyer lemons__: For more of a floral lemon flavor, use sweet, thin-skinned Meyer lemons. 
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. __Vodka__: A shot of the sweetened, infused vodka in a simple [Vodka Martini](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-vodka-martini-recipe) adds flavor and a hint of sweetness without straying too far from the drink’s essential nature.
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. __Ginger beer__: Limoncello is a natural fit for spicy, tangy [ginger beer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ginger-beer-recipe). 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. __Bourbon Tea__: This hot-weather favorite combines spicy bourbon and bright limoncello with iced tea. 
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](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-mojito) at home. 
3. __Limoncello Lemon Drop__: This classic lemon drop cocktail upgrade combines limoncello with vodka, fresh lemon juice, and triple sec.
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. 
Put a batch of bright lemons to good use in this easy limoncello recipe. 

Limoncello, sometimes spelled lemoncello, is an Italian liqueur made from a blend of vodka (or similar grain alcohol) and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-simple-syrup-for-cocktails' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-simple-syrup-for-cocktails","linkCopy":"sugar syrup","category":null}'>sugar syrup</a> 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.

What Is Limoncello?

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.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Meyer lemons: For more of a floral lemon flavor, use sweet, thin-skinned Meyer lemons. </li><li class="mc-my-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. </li></ol>

4 Types of Lemons to Use for Limoncello

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:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Vodka: A shot of the sweetened, infused vodka in a simple <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-vodka-martini-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-vodka-martini-recipe","linkCopy":"Vodka Martini","category":null}'>Vodka Martini</a> adds flavor and a hint of sweetness without straying too far from the drink’s essential nature. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Ginger beer: Limoncello is a natural fit for spicy, tangy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ginger-beer-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ginger-beer-recipe","linkCopy":"ginger beer","category":null}'>ginger beer</a>. Add a shot to a highball glass of ginger beer on ice and stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig. </li></ol>

3 Alcohols to Pair With Limoncello

Once you know how to make limoncello, there’s a whole world of cocktails to use it with, from martinis to mixed drinks. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Bourbon Tea: This hot-weather favorite combines spicy bourbon and bright limoncello with iced tea. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 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 <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-mojito' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-mojito","linkCopy":"Mojito","category":null}'>Mojito</a> at home. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Limoncello Lemon Drop: This classic lemon drop cocktail upgrade combines limoncello with vodka, fresh lemon juice, and triple sec. </li><li class="mc-my-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. </li></ol>

4 Limoncello Cocktails

Easy Limoncello Recipe

Put a batch of bright lemons to good use in this easy limoncello recipe.