Limoncello Martini

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This zingy limoncello martini is an easy and quick lemon-flavored cocktail. A perfect combination of sour lemon flavor balanced out with sweet simple syrup.

For similar martinis, try this strawberry martini, this amaretto martini or this raspberry martini.

For another limoncello-based cocktail, try this limoncello tonic.

Or, try one of these fruity martini recipes.

Jump to:

• What is Limoncello?
• Recipe Highlights
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Instructions
• How to Make Simple Syrup
• Variations
• Expert Tips
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian liqueur from the south of Italy. It is made from lemon peels of Amalfi lemons. 

It is typically served chilled before or after dinner, and meant to be sipped. 

However, you can also use limoncello in a number of cocktail recipes.

Recipe Highlights

• This martini has a balance of sweet & sour flavors. The sour limoncello and lemon juice are balanced out by the sweet simple syrup.
• This limoncello martini is a great cocktail to serve for a cocktail hour with appetizers.
• This is a quick & easy martini recipe that takes less than 3 minutes to make.

Ingredients

• Limoncello: Use a good quality limoncello. The best quality limoncellos are made with Amalfi lemons. However, not all liquor stores will offer a variety of limoncellos to choose from, so use what you can find.
• Vodka: Generally middle range quality vodkas are best for mixing into cocktail recipes. You can also use flavored lemon vodka if you have that on hand, but it is not necessary.
• Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice only. Artificial lemon juice won’t give the same fresh flavor.
• Simple Syrup: You can easily make your own simple syrup at home, or you can use a store bought simple syrup.

Equipment

• A cocktail shaker to mix the martini in.
• Martini glasses or coupe glasses to serve the limoncello martini in.

Instructions

Step 1: Add the limoncello, vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Step 2: Shake well until the outside of the cocktail shaker is frosted. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Making your own simple syrup at home is easy to do and much less expensive than buying one pre-made. 

To make your own syrup, heat equal portions of granulated sugar and water (ie. 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water), on a saucepan over medium heat. 

Continue to heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once dissolved, remove the syrup from the stovetop and let it cool to room temperature. 

Store leftover simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.

Variations

The best way to create variations of this limoncello martini recipe is to experiment with flavored simple syrups. 

Replace the regular simple syrup with a flavored one. You can buy flavored simple syrup pre-made, but making homemade ones are cheaper and give the most authentic flavor. 

Try this thyme simple syrup for a limoncello thyme martini. Or make a blackberry limoncello martini with this blackberry simple syrup.

For more fruity flavors, try this raspberry simple syrup, this pear simple syrup or this strawberry simple syrup.

Expert Tips

• Martinis are best served extra cold. Chill your cocktail glasses in the fridge before serving.
• Serve this limoncello martini with a lemon peel garnish. Use a vegetable peeler to cut a fine strip of lemon peel. Twist it around a chopstick and hold it in place for 10 seconds to hold its shape.
• Optionally, garnish the rim with a combination of lemon zest and granulated sugar.
• If you prefer a completely smooth drink, use a fine mesh strainer to remove any small pieces of lemon.
• For a tarter, less sweet martini, add an extra ½ oz of lemon juice.

FAQ

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📖 Recipe