Limoncello, a popular Italian liqueur, has a sweet and refreshing flavor that makes it pleasant to drink in the summer after a dinner. It does not contain lemon juice, but it gets its flavor from the peel, which gives it a bittersweet rather than sour taste. It tastes best when frozen and can be added to all types of cocktails, including those based on wine, vodka or gin.
Ingrediants
Limoncello and Prosecco
- 6 frozen raspberries
- 30 ml of limoncello
- 150 ml of prosecco
- Cherry in spirit or sprig of mint to use as a garnish
Makes 1 drink
Limoncello Martini
- Sugar
- Lemon wedge
- 30 ml of limoncello
- 90 ml of vodka
- 15 ml of lemon juice
- Slice of lemon for garnish
Makes 1 drink
Limoncello and Gin
- Sprig of fresh thyme
- 30 ml of gin
- 20 ml of limoncello
- 7, 5 ml of lemon juice
- 120 ml of tonic water
- Slice of lemon for garnish
Makes 1 drink
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Drink Limoncello
Step 1. Keep it in the freezer
Limoncello is served cold. Leaving it to cool for at least an hour before drinking it enhances its flavor and makes it more refreshing during hot days. This liqueur can also be stored in the freezer, since it does not solidify when it freezes.
It doesn't need to be cold. Having a high alcohol content and sugar, it can also be drunk at room temperature. Serving it cold is still the standard
Step 2. Cool a glass by filling it with ice
Fill a shot glass or goblet with ice to the brim. Crushed ice is the ideal solution in this case, since it would cover more surface of the glass. Leave it in the glass for a few minutes, then empty it before pouring the limoncello.
- Using a hot glass is still fine if you don't have time to cool it, but if it's cold it will enhance the flavor of the limoncello. Attenuates the heat of the glass by at least cooling the limoncello in advance.
- Another way to cool a glass is to fill an ice bucket. Place the glass upside down on ice for about 30 minutes.
- Alternatively, freeze the glass for about 4 hours. If it's empty, it won't break. An ice-cold glass stays cold longer than a glass filled with ice.
Step 3. Pour the liqueur into a shot glass
Limoncello is often served in a shot glass or in a long stemmed goblet. These elegant glasses are a great match, but even a simple shot glass can be an acceptable alternative. In some Italian regions, limoncello is served in ceramic shot glasses.
Long-stemmed glasses are more effective in keeping limoncello fresh, but they can break easily. In addition, they can contain the same amount of liquid as normal glasses, so they are not absolutely necessary
Step 4. Serve the limoncello before or after a meal
This liqueur is considered a digestive and is often served alongside dessert at the end of a meal. It's the kind of drink that you sip while relaxing. It is great for refreshing the palate at the end of a rich meal, but you can drink it at any time of the day.
- Limoncello is typically served neat, without ice. Try adding ice if it feels hot or if the glass has warmed up.
- You could serve it as a shot to drink in one gulp instead of doing it at a specific time of day. Enjoy it the way you like it.
Method 2 of 4: Limoncello and Prosecco
Step 1. Leave a champagne glass in the freezer for about 4 hours
Let the glass cool before serving the limoncello. If you don't have a flute, try using a wine glass. Cooling the glasses serves to keep the liqueur cold and helps to enhance its flavor.
This drink is usually not made with ice; so if you intend to use it to cool the glass, remove it before opening the limoncello
Step 2. Add the raspberries or other fruit to the chilled glass
Use different types of fruit to turn this cocktail into something unique. For example, put 5-6 frozen raspberries in the glass to balance the lemon flavor of the limoncello and the grape flavor of the prosecco. It is not necessary to mash the fruit.
Prosecco has a dry but sweet taste, similar to that of green apples and melon. Among the fruits that best go with this cocktail are blueberries, raspberries and lemons
Step 3. Mix the limoncello and prosecco in the glass
Mix about 30ml of limoncello with 150ml of prosecco. Use a spoon to mix the cocktails to mix the two liquids. Modify the doses of limoncello or prosecco according to your preferences.
- For example, add more limoncello if you want the cocktail to have a more acidic taste, or use more prosecco if you want to tone down the lemon flavor.
- If you need to serve several cocktails at the same time, mix the liqueur in a jug. Mix together about 700ml of prosecco and 240ml of limoncello.
Step 4. Garnish the glass with some cherries or fresh mint
The decoration adds nothing to the taste of the cocktail, but improves its aesthetic appearance. Buy a jar of cherries in alcohol and stick one on the rim of the glass. Throw in a sprig of fresh mint to create a touch of green that contrasts with the yellow of the cocktail and the red of the fruit.
The decoration is open to interpretation. For example, add a slice of lemon that represents limoncello
Method 3 of 4: Limoncello Martini
Step 1. Place a martini glass in the refrigerator until it is cool to the touch
Leave it in the fridge or freezer for about 4 hours if you have the time. Otherwise, chill it quickly to enhance the flavor of the limoncello.
A martini is not served with ice, so make sure the glass or liqueur is cold for the best result
Step 2. Rotate the edge of the glass in the sugar to cover it
A little help will be needed for the sugar to stick to the glass. Wet the outer edge of the glass with lemon juice by pressing a wedge of this citrus fruit against it. Then, spread some sugar on a flat surface and finally rotate the rim of the glass over it.
You may have seen a bartender dip a glass in sugar. This method is fine, but this way a lot of sugar will fall into the glass. This can ruin the cocktail because the extra sugar will affect the sweetness of your martini
Step 3. Mix vodka, limoncello and lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice
Fill the shaker with as much ice as possible, then add the liqueur. Combine 30ml of limoncello with 45ml of vodka and one teaspoon (15ml) of lemon juice. Shake the ingredients until the mixture is cold and well mixed.
- Any type of vodka is fine, but try the flavored one to add flavor to the cocktail. Citrus flavored vodka emphasizes the sour taste of limoncello, just to give an example.
- You can try other types of mixes as well. For example, you can use lemonade instead of lemon juice and add liquid cream to make a lemon meringue martini. If you choose to use carbonated lemonade, don't shake the martini. Shaking fizzy drinks can make the shaker explode in your hands.
Step 4. Strain the liqueur into the martini glass
Keep a metal cocktail strainer on the shaker if the shaker doesn't have one inside. Use your finger to hold it in place as you place the shaker on top. The strainer serves to hold the ice as the liquid flows through.
Step 5. Garnish the glass with a lemon wedge
Slice the lemon into slices. Use a paring knife to cut a triangle out of the slice, then place it on the edge of the glass. It adds nothing to the flavor, but it looks great and represents the flavor of a great limoncello.
Method 4 of 4: Limoncello and Gin
Step 1. Cool a rocks glass with ice while you make the cocktail
Fill the glass with ice to the brim. You're going to serve the drink on ice, so adding it now is a quick way to make the glass. Alternatively, leave the glass in the freezer for about 4 hours to cool it without the worry of melting ice.
If you have doubts about the appearance of this type of glass, it is low and round and is often used for whiskey or similar liqueurs. A standard rocks glass contains approximately 180/240 ml of liqueur
Step 2. Thyme mash or other herbs as desired
Place some herbs in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, then press them with a cocktail stick, turning it 3-4 times until the herbs release their fragrance. Herbs (including thyme and basil) add a unique flavor to the blend, but you can do without them if you don't have them at your disposal.
- Toast the thyme to give the cocktail an extra touch of personalization. Heat a grill to 260 ° C, a medium-high setting. Hold the thyme on the grill for about 15 seconds to lightly brown it, until it begins to release its fragrance.
- If you don't have a cocktail stick, you can use another blunt object, such as the end of a wooden spoon.
Step 3. Pour gin, limoncello and citrus juice into the blender
For a standard recipe, combine about 30ml of gin with 22ml of limoncello. Pour them directly into the blender, along with the herbs (if you're using them). Then add 7-8 ml of fresh lemon juice to give the cocktail a more acidic flavor, like lemonade.
- Change the proportions of the liqueur according to your tastes. For example, reduce the flavor of limoncello by reducing the liquid to 15ml and increasing the amount of gin.
- Try using lime juice instead of lemon to give the cocktail a more pronounced citrus note. Don't use the juice if you prefer the drink to be less acidic.
Step 4. Fill the glass with ice and mix the liquids
If you are using a mixing glass, take a spoon to mix the cocktails and use it to flip the ice in the glass. If you are using a shaker instead, put the cap on and shake it until the mixture is mixed well.
Serve the cocktail in a cooled glass, so you can pour in the ingredients immediately. The ice will melt over time, watering down the drink and ruining its flavor
Step 5. Strain the liquor into the rocks glass filled with ice
Place the glass on a flat surface and fill it with new ice cubes. You will need a metal cocktail filter. Use your fingers to hold it on the shaker or mixer as you pour the gin and limoncello mixture into the glass.
Some shakers have a built-in filter. It looks like a small perforated grill and is located under the lid. You don't need to do anything to use them
Step 6. Add 120ml of tonic water
Pour it directly into the rocks glass to give the cocktail a sparkling note. Use the spoon to mix the cocktails to stir the liquids until everything is blended evenly.
Collins limoncello (limoncello and gin) is typically served with tonic water. You can not use it if you don't have any available, but the cocktail will have a stronger flavor. Including ingredients like pounded herbs is a good way to compensate
Step 7. Garnish the glass with a lemon wedge before serving
Cut a fresh lemon into slices about 2-3 cm thick. Cut out a small triangle from the slice, large enough to fit on the edge of the glass. Add a few more, if desired, to enhance the sour note of the limoncello in the blend.
Use other decorations that mirror your cocktail. For example, add a sprig of fresh thyme if you have crushed roasted thyme, as seen in the previous steps
Advice
- Mix the limoncello with other liqueurs or fruit juices. Limoncello pairs well with many different liquids, from cranberry juice to vodka.
- Variants of limoncello use different fruits instead of lemon. For example, the arancello is prepared with oranges, while the fragolino with strawberries.
- To make homemade limoncello you just need lemons, vodka and sugar.
- Limoncello is often used in desserts. Add it to ice cream, cakes, and other recipes.
