With the colorful arrival of spring, our mood gets brighter — and so do the cocktails we enjoy. Think fruity, floral, and spritzy drinks that awaken our taste buds and refresh our spirits. And what can be fresher and brighter than a sunny, lemony cocktail to melt away the last of winter? To find some of the best mix-ins to combine with limoncello, Tasting Table chatted with Justin Lavenue, master mixologist and co-owner of The Roosevelt Room, one of the best bars in Austin, Texas.
“The beauty of limoncello is its versatility,” Lavenue says. “So many flavors complement its bright, lemony profile!” When it comes to pairing with other cocktail ingredients, Lavenue recommends “taking inspiration from classic cocktails, as well as desserts and savory dishes that highlight lemon.” He notes, “I’ve always felt that basil, stone fruits, and nutmeg make a great pairing with it.” You could start with something simple like this fresh peach Bellini cocktail and add limoncello instead of the fresh lemon and honey, or throw a shot or two into a lovely peach sangria. “Stone fruit (like peach or apricot) complements limoncello’s brightness with a soft, fruity depth,” Lavenue adds.
If you want to experiment with more complex flavors, the mixologist observes that “basil adds fresh and herbaceous notes,” so maybe try adding some fresh basil to this limoncello punch recipe. Last but not least, “nutmeg brings a warm, spiced complexity that makes for an unexpected but delightful contrast” to the brightness of limoncello, according to Lavenue, who also suggests turning it into a spritz with some added prosecco.
How to use limoncello in cocktails
“Limoncello brings a sweet and tangy lemon zest flavor with a rich, slightly creamy mouthfeel, making it a versatile addition to cocktails,” Lavenue continues. If you think that your cocktail could use a hit of lemon, try limoncello instead. The nice thing about limoncello is that you don’t have to spend a lot to get great results. Sure, you can find an expensive one imported from Amalfi, but you can also make limoncello yourself using a decent quality vodka and fresh lemons.
“One of the best ways to use it is as a substitute for the sugar component in a drink, often either a syrup or a liqueur,” the mixologist notes. This makes perfect sense, as the sweetness in limoncello, together with its welcome acidity, can add extra flavor and balance in place of a simple syrup. Use limoncello instead when making cocktails that can utilize its slightly bitter and acidic qualities. Additionally, Lavenue notes that “it makes an easy substitute for triple sec and orange Curaçao in cocktails so that the cocktail gets a brighter note of lemon than if made with the typical orange.” Limoncello margarita, anyone?
“You can also use it in place of, or split with, fresh citrus for a slightly sweeter variation of [a] classic sour-style cocktail or spritz,” he adds. For instance, try replacing the syrup and lemon juice in this Pear Aperol Spritz recipe with limoncello for an easy twist.
Other things to keep in mind when using limoncello in cocktails
While cocktail making is a great platform for creativity and experimentation, balance is crucial to making or breaking a cocktail. So, before you go crazy with the bottle of limoncello, Lavenue has a few words of wisdom for things you should keep in mind when using it in cocktails. “Balance is key when mixing with limoncello,” he says. “While it boasts a bright tartness from the lemon zest, it’s also quite sweet, so it’s important to be mindful of the overall sugar content in your cocktail. Too much sweetness can overpower the drink.”
To make sure your limoncello cocktail creation is a success, “consider balancing it with ingredients that add acidity, bitterness, or dilution,” adds Lavenue. “A well-placed bitter liqueur, fresh citrus, or even a dry sparkling component can help create a cocktail that’s vibrant and refreshing rather than cloying.” Bitter liqueurs include popular amari like Aperol and Campari, but there are also lesser-known brands worth exploring.
Additionally, consider using cocktail bitters, which come in myriad flavors and can help balance an overly sweet cocktail with just a few drops. For dilution, opt for sparkling mineral water or dry sparkling wine, and add ice to chill the cocktail and bring down the overall sweetness factor. A few drops of fresh lemon will only enhance the wonderful citrusy flavor of limoncello.
