This limoncello martini is fresh, fun, fruity and guaranteed to revive tastebuds. Optional extras include subtle hints of vanilla and thyme if you fancy expanding on the classic limoncello cocktail recipe.
Have you seen my bergamot sour recipe? It makes use of Italicus, another lovely Italian liqueur.

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A limoncello martini is the ultimate way to indulge in some grown-up summertime refreshment. This classic libation is zingy with fresh lemon juice mingled in with the sweeter notes of Italian limoncello liqueur.
But you know me, I have to play with the classics and my limoncello martini recipe is anything but boring. I’ve included notes of thyme and vanilla into the mix to add a bit of extra excitement.
These extras are subtle, but they do elevate the overall flavour of this limoncello cocktail. Purists, however, can easily leave those additions out to make a more traditional serve.
Pastel yellow in colour, easy to dress up with simple garnishes and a change from the norm, this limoncello cocktail is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
Why you’ll love this limoncello cocktail
- Quick and easy – your drink will be ready in less than 5 minutes.
- Great served with food – see my suggestions further down.
- Refreshing – it’s so lusciously refreshing.
- Variations – this limoncello cocktail recipe is easy to tweak and adapt.
If you’re looking for more recipes and cocktails with limoncello taking a starring role then take a look at my limoncello spritz and my limoncello lemon sorbet. They are both gorgeous recipes using this lovely lemon liqueur.
Ingredients notes
Limoncello: limoncello is an Italian liqueur originating from Southern Italy. Made from the zest of fresh lemons, it is bright yellow in colour and boldly citrussy with a touch of sweetness alongside. You can read more about this liqueur in my post for the limoncello spritz cocktail.
For this limoncello vodka martini I used Villa Massa, but feel free to use your preferred brand or have a go at making your own.
Vodka: I opted for vanilla vodka to bring in subtle nuances of this enchanting and ever-popular spice. Feel free to use regular vodka if preferred.
Lemon juice: this is essential to cut through the sweetness of the limoncello liqueur and add that fresh, lively and tangy pop of flavour.
Syrup: again, I used vanilla syrup but homemade simple syrup works well too.
Thyme: a couple of sprigs of fresh time are shaken with the cocktail to add a slight herbaceous twang to the final flavour of this limoncello cocktail. This addition is entirely optional.
Equipment notes
The best way to make this drink is with a cocktail shaker. This can be either a Boston shaker, Cobbler shaker or French shaker.
If you do not own a cocktail shaker then a sturdy glass jar with plenty of room for ice and a tightly fitting screw-top lid will work well. Just ensure that the glass is strong enough to withstand shaking it vigorously with the ice.
Step-by-step instructions
- Optional: put your serving glass in the freezer to chill.
- Put a large handful of ice into the base of your cocktail shaker.
- Drop in 2 sprigs of thyme (if using).
- Pour the limoncello, vodka, lemon juice and syrup into the shaker.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds.
- Strain into a serving glass, garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Expert tips
- This drink is best served ice cold so, if possible, chill the ingredients & the serving glass for a few minutes and use plenty of ice.
- This limoncello martini should be shaken rather than stirred as it contains a small amount of sugar syrup and fruit juice that will not blend fully with the other liquids unless shaken.
- Strain the lemon juice before adding to the shaker to ensure that your drink is smooth.
- Strain the drink through a sieve if using thyme or lavender to ensure that leaves and petals do not fall into the glass.
- Have fun with garnishes: opt for twists of lemon zest, fresh raspberries, strawberries or blueberries. Fresh herbs or lavender flowers can also be included if you decide to use these ingredients when making your drink.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this limoncello cocktail recipe can be made in advance. Simply prepare it as instructed, then decant the beverage into a suitable bottle or jar once it has been strained and store it in the coldest part of the fridge (usually the bottom).
This limoncello martini does turn slushy if it is stored in the freezer. It doesn’t take long for it to defrost though (transfer it to the fridge an hour before it’s needed).
Cocktails made with limoncello, such as this one, are suitable for a pre-dinner drink or post dinner, perhaps in place of dessert. This vivacious limoncello martini is also particularly welcome on a lazy sunny afternoon when something zesty and refreshing is required.
No, it is not. The lemon drop martini is made with vodka, triple sec and lemon juice. it does not contain limoncello liqueur at all, so it’s an entirely different drink.
Serving suggestions
When it comes to serving food alongside cocktails with limoncello as an ingredient, there are a number of savoury and sweet options to fit the bill. Here are a few ideas:
Savoury
- Green olives – Nocceralla are a good option.
- Artichokes – marinated or grilled.
- Nuts – especially almonds.
- Hard cheese such as pecorino.
Sweet
- Strawberries – just as they are.
- Lemon cake – preferably un-iced.
- Lemon biscuits
- Cannoli filled with sweetened ricotta – those garnished with pistachio nuts are particularly welcome.
Variations
Use this recipe as a base to play around with to create various cocktails with limoncello. It’s a fun liqueur that plays well with so many flavours. Here are a few ideas to try out:
- Lavender limoncello cocktail: replace the thyme with a couple of sprigs of fresh lavender and proceed with the recipe. Don’t forget the lavender garnish.
- Other herbs: leave out the thyme or swap it for other herbs such as basil, mint or rosemary.
- No vanilla: swap the vanilla syrup for simple syrup and vanilla vodka for regular vodka to make a straight limoncello martini drink.
- Gin: use gin instead of vodka for a limoncello gin martini.
- Add fizz: top up the glass with Prosecco for a sparkling limoncello cocktail.
More refreshing cocktails to try
Have you made this limoncello cocktail recipe? Did you add in any extras such as thyme or lavender? Please let me know how you got along by leaving a comment and rating below.
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📖 Recipe
Limoncello Martini
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 30 ml Limoncello
- 30 ml Vanilla vodka or vodka
- 10 ml Lemon juice
- 5 ml Vanilla syrup or simple syrup
- 2 Sprigs thyme (optional)
Optional garnishes
- Twist lemon zest
- Thyme sprig
- Raspberries
Instructions
- If you have the time and space in the freezer then put your serving glass in the freezer to chill for 15 mnutes before making this drink
- Put a large handful of ice into the base of your cocktail shaker.
- Drop in 2 sprigs of thyme (if using).
- Pour the limoncello, vodka, lemon juice and syrup into the shaker.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds.
- Strain into a serving glass, garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- This drink is best served ice cold so chill the ingredients if possible, chill the serving glass for a few minutes and use plenty of ice.
- This limoncello martini should be shaken rather than stirred as it contains a small amount of sugar syrup and fruit juice that need to be shaken into the other ingredients in order to blend them fully.
- Strain the lemon juice before adding it to the shaker to ensure that your drink is smooth.
- Strain the drink through a sieve if using thyme or lavender to ensure that leaves and petals do not fall into the glass.
- Have fun with garnishes. Opt for twists of lemon zest, fresh raspberries, strawberries or blueberries.
- Swap the thyme for fresh lavender to add floral notes to this drink. Garnish with a stem of fresh lavender.
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