Limoncello is a popular Italian liquor with a sweet, intense lemon flavor. It originated in southern Italy and is regularly served straight, ice-cold as a digestif. My Limoncello and tonic recipe is a very simple 2-ingredient cocktail that is greater than the sum of its parts. I love how the tonic water mellows the intensely flavored limoncello and shows off its bright, beautiful color!
Homemade Limoncello Recipe
Limoncello is a very popular liquor and is readily available in most liquor stores. However, the recipe for homemade Limoncello is very simple and easy to make your own. This potent, boozy liquor is typically made using either vodka or grappa as the base. You start by adding the peel of 10-12 lemons (white part only). Next, add a little sugar to counteract the acidity of the lemons (about 1-cup per liter). Then let the lemon zest macerate in the alcohol for 2-3 weeks. The essential oils of the lemon zest infuse the base alcohol with intense lemon flavor with a hint of underlying sweetness.
Limoncello has high alcohol and sugar content. It is great stored in the freezer, ice-cold, ready to go when you are. This is perfect when serving it as a digestif which is served neat, with no ice.
Limoncello and tonic is a nice, refreshing, adult lemonade. The slightly bitter taste of the tonic water is a nice contrast to the tart and sweet Limoncello. The bubbles and the gorgeous color make this Limoncello cocktail recipe like a little ray of sunshine in a glass.
Here is my Limoncello and Tonic recipe
Limoncello and Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 Ounces Limoncello
- 3 Ounces Tonic Water
Instructions
- Place ice in an old-fashioned glass. Add limoncello and tonic, give a quick stir. Garnish with a wedge of lemon
Although easy to drink, Limoncello is a fairly potent cocktail. Please drink responsibly!
Olley Thompson
just made the limoncello and tonic and it’s great.
Steven
Thanks, Olley for your comment and the 5-star review. This is only of my favorite limoncello recipes, I’m glad you like it!
Anna K
I love love love this! The bitterness of the tonic contrasts perfectly. It’s not too sweet and it’s so refreshing. Even better on ice Thank you so much!
Steven
Thanks, Anna! I agree, as a matter of fact, I haven’t had a Limoncello and tonic in a while. I think I’ll have some tonight! Thanks, and cheers!
Olley Chantler
Yum-Yum it’s a great drink.
Alex Z
Very refreshing, great drink for summer (or pretending its summer).