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Home » Cocktails » Martinis

Limoncello Martini

Mar 26, 2021 · Modified: Mar 3, 2023 by Lauren Pacek · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Limoncello Martini (aka Limoncello Lemon Drop Martini) is sweet, tangy, and so delicious! It's also very easy to make.

I had a jar of Homemade Sous Vide Limoncello sitting in my fridge, and was trying to think of a new way to use it. I ended up deciding to riff a bit on the Lemon Drop (or Lemon Drop Martini), which contains vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a sugar rim.

You can think of the two drinks as cousins, of sorts. This version is sweet, but not too sweet, and essentially tastes like adult lemonade. 

a 45 degree angle view of three limoncello martinis in coupe glasses, lemon slices on the table, lemon slices floating in the glasses
Jump to:
  • What is a Limoncello Martini?
  • Ingredients
  • How do you make this martini?
  • Recommended tools
  • Other drinks made with limoncello
  • FAQs/Tips and tricks
  • Share your creations and follow me on social media!
  • The Recipe
  • ✨ Recipe
  • Pin this recipe for later!

What is a Limoncello Martini?

A martini is traditionally made with gin/vodka and vermouth. But plenty of creative variations have cropped up since the drink's inception. Basically, this version is a martini that's made with limoncello (and vodka).

Ingredients

Just a few. Let's talk about them for a sec:

  • Limoncello: Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur. It's sweet, citrusy (duh), and so refreshing. You can use either store bought or homemade Limoncello here.
  • Vodka: Just plain vodka. Use whatever brand you prefer.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed, please.
  • Lemon wheel: This isn't mandatory, but I think that floating a lemon wheel in this martini is really nice and looks pretty. 
a straight on view of three coupe glasses filled with limoncello martinis and garnished with lemon slices

How do you make this martini?

Pour all of your liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake shake shake. Make sure that you shake it until it is very cold. 

Strain the drink into a coupe glass (or a martini glass, if that's more your style) and float a lemon wheel in the glass. Et voila: pretty and pretty delicious.

Recommended tools

  • A jigger, to measure your liquid ingredients
  • A cocktail shaker
  • Some pretty coupe or martini glasses
a hand holding a coupe glass with a limoncello martini in it

Other drinks made with limoncello

First, consider drinking your Limoncello straight! In Italy, Limoncello is commonly drunk out of a shot glass or cordial glass before dinner as an apertif or after dinner as a digetif. If you go this route, serve it very cold (but not over ice) and sip it rather than taking it as a shot.

However, if you're looking for cocktails, check out the links below!

  • Limoncello Mojito Cocktail from Inside the Rustic Kitchen
  • Limoncello Spritz from A Nerd Cooks
  • Limoncello Moscow Mule from Home Sweet Table
  • Limoncello Gin Collins from A Nerd Cooks
  • Strawberry-Basil Limoncello Martini from Burrata and Bubbles

FAQs/Tips and tricks

Do I need to use homemade limoncello?

Nope, you can use store bought if you'd prefer.

Can I make a bigger batch of these martinis?

Sure can. Just scale the amounts of each ingredient up proportionally.

Can I make this drink ahead of time?

Yes. Whether you're making an individual drink or a big batch of martinis, you can store your drink in the fridge or freezer (extra frosty!) up to a day ahead of time.

a straight on view of three coupe glasses filled with limoncello martinis

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I'd love to know what you thought of this recipe! Don't forget to leave a comment and ⭐️ star rating below!

The Recipe

✨ Recipe

a 45 degree angle view of three limoncello martinis in coupe glasses, lemon slices on the table, lemon slices floating in the glasses

Limoncello Martini

Lauren Pacek
This Limoncello Martini (aka Limoncello Lemon Drop Martini) is sweet, tangy, and so delicious! It's also very easy to make.
4.47 from 15 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Additional Time 0 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Course Cocktails
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 oz limoncello
  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • 1 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add the limoncello, vodka, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake until very cold. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
  • Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 1gSodium: 10mgFiber: 3gSugar: 23g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Keyword limoncello martini
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Pin this recipe for later!

pinterest pin for limoncello martini

More Elegant Martini Recipes

  • a nick and nora glass with raspberry martini in it on a gold tray
    Raspberry Martini
  • a nearly head on view of 2 coupe glasses full of lavender martinis
    Lavender Martini
  • two espresso martinis in coupe glasses, one coupe glass filled with coffee beans
    Espresso Martini

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Comments

  1. Sally

    September 17, 2021 at 10:37 am

    5 stars
    These are AMAZING. So simple but so good. Perfectly balanced. I will be drinking these throughout the Australian summer ☀️

    Reply
  2. Sylvia Blossom

    November 25, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    I add a teaspoon of limoncello to a gin & tonic with lemon zest as a garnish. It’s not super sweet but adds a great twist to the drink.

    Reply
    • laurenpacek

      November 27, 2021 at 4:33 pm

      Sounds like a lovely addition to me!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks. I'm a 30-something wife, mom, and scientist with a passion for mixing cocktails, brewing buzzy coffee drinks, and making other delicious beverages at home.

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