Brian Nagele
Join us as we take a delicious culinary tour through the world of Limoncello, the zesty liqueur that pairs well with desserts in addition to being a delightful beverage. The magic starts on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, known for its bright views and fragrant lemons. The history of Limoncello is just as fascinating as its flavor, spanning from the citrus orchards to the quaint distilleries. Come explore the fascinating history and painstaking craftsmanship of this golden elixir and learn how it elevates simple desserts to extraordinary pleasures. Limoncello offers endless possibilities, ranging from traditional pairings with rich, creamy sweets to creative recipes that enhance your culinary creations.
Luxardo Limoncello Liqueur
The Luxardo Limoncello Liqueur is a top-of-the-line drink full to the brim with rich, sweet lemon flavor. Produced using the same traditional family recipe since 1905, this liqueur is aromatic and soothing and stands as a time-honored favorite in Italy. Every bottle is made with local southern Italian lemon. The peels, pulp, and juices are added to the alcohol to infuse a vibrant and intense lemon flavor. It’s divine on its own, on the rocks, or with a splash of tonic water. For the perfect cocktail add 45ml of gin to 15ml of Luxardo Limoncello Liqueur and stir. Garnish with fresh thyme for the perfect balance of flavors.
Caravella Limoncello
Caravella Limoncello is another traditional limoncello that’s recipe dates back to 1898. The family recipe uses fresh lemons from the Amalfi coast and adds tart juice and earthy peels for a purely poetic flavor profile. The pure grain alcohol base and Sicilian tang give this drink a sweet, unique taste that evokes feelings of summertime picnics and long lunches on the patio. For the most refreshing blend, add ice or try it in a mixed drink or cocktail. Caravella Limoncello has a slightly juicier taste than some of the thicker, stickier limoncellos. It is light and sweet without being overly sugary.
Fabrizia Limoncello
Fabrizia Limoncello is a hand-crafted limoncello made from imported Sicilian lemons. The old-fashioned method and specially sourced fruit give this drink a uniquely rustic taste that is neither too sweet nor too bitter. Fabrizia Limoncello only uses four ingredients: water, sugar, alcohol, and lemons. This all-natural drink is gluten-free and contains no artificial colors or sweeteners. For the best taste, drink chilled, on ice, or in a cocktail. I also love just how affordable Fabrizia Limoncello is. It offers the taste of traditional Italian limoncello made with traditional, small-scale techniques without the inflated price tag.
Pallini Limoncello
Pallini Limoncello has been a staple in Italy since 1875. The Pallini family still makes it using the old methods to this day. If you’re looking for a kosher, gluten-free, GMO-free, all-natural limoncello with a classic taste, this is it. Each bottle comes filled with the fresh flavors of Sfusato lemons exclusive to the Amalfi coast. Each handpicked lemon gets prepared and infused immediately to preserve freshness and flavor. This sweet lemon liqueur is excellent alone, on the rocks, chilled, in cocktails, and cooking. I’m a particular fan of the bottle and the drink’s color. It’s one of the brightest yellow limoncellos I’ve ever seen.
Di Amore Limoncello Liqueur
If you’re looking for more than just a lemon liqueur, I suggest giving Di Amore Limoncello Liqueur a shot. This liqueur has more to offer than the standard lemon drink. The translucent, pale yellow look and the decorative bottle can only allude to the richly impactful flavor contained within. Unlike other limoncello, Di Amore Limoncello Liqueur has a taste like lemon gelato with honeyed lemon zest and a creamy custard finish. Some other limoncello that has a similarly sweet, deep flavor tend to be thick and sticky, while Di Amore Limoncello remains velvety smooth and light on the tongue.
Il Tramonto Limoncello
Il Tramonto Limoncello is a traditional drink that owes its roots to the rosoli drinks made in convents in the distant past. It is a delicate liqueur made from Amalfi coast lemons. The sweet and heavily citrusy alcohol is a shining example of limoncello. It avoids all bitterness and boasts a tangy, sweet, intoxicating aroma that will have you hooked before you even take a sip. Il Tramonto Limoncello comes from the Campania region of Italy and is a very fair price considering the quality. The specially bred lemons have fewer seeds than others to reduce bitterness and a higher concentration of lemon oil to improve taste and make the nose more intense.
Meletti Limoncello
Meletti Limoncello comes from another family-owned and operated Italian winery with a long and abundant history. Silvio Meletti founded his business in 1870. He learned the trade from his mother, who refined the family anise recipe that was popular among her customers. This exquisite anise is the base of many Meletti distillates and liqueurs today. Meletti Limoncello is lightly fragrant, pale in color, and bold in taste. It’s at its best when paired with ice or chilled and offers a sweet lemon flavor with a twist of acidic citrus flavor. I like this limoncello a lot as it presents a different flavor profile from southern limoncellos.
Giuseppe Alberti Limoncello
The Giuseppe Alberti Limoncello possesses a uniquely green tinge unlike most other limoncello. The lime-like color is the result of the infusion process that creates the final flavor. Giuseppe Alberti Limoncello primarily uses two types of lemons from the Amalfi coast and Sorrento coast. The traditional methods used to make this liqueur infuse the lemon oil from the peels to produce a sweet and balanced flavor that avoids any sourness. This liqueur has a higher alcohol percentage than most other limoncello, so be careful with how freely you pour. Enjoy chilled, with ice, or with seltzer.
Knight Gabriello Limoncello Santoni
For another equally strong limoncello, try Knight Gabriello’s Santoni. Best served at ice-cold temperatures, this limoncello is ideal as an after-meal digestive. The vibrant yellow liquid is sure to draw your eye, and the bold, citrusy nose will pull you in. I find this drink delightful as the citrus taste is quite strong, but there’s a lingering note of pine that helps to cleanse the palette. This liqueur is viscous without being overly sticky and doesn’t leave an unpleasant film on the lips or tongue. This is my preferred limoncello if I plan to have it after a meal. It doesn’t interfere with previous flavors but also leaves me with a sweet and clean aftertaste.
Limoncino Bottega Limoncello
Dating back to the end of the 1800s, Limoncino Bottega Limoncello stands as a pinnacle of limoncello. This is probably my favorite limoncello and the one I’ve had the most. Produced from the fragrant and oil-rich Femminello lemons, this liqueur stands out for its deep taste and sticky-sweet taste. Made entirely by hand, the peels are left to infuse their flavors into high-quality grappa for 30 before sugar is added. I adore everything about this drink, from the bottle to the color to the taste. This limoncello is unmistakable and will always have a welcome spot in my freezer.
Volare Limoncello
Volare’s limoncello is delightfully fruity with a vibrant, sunshine yellow color and a casually stout bottle. This powerful drink is rich with bright citrus notes that pair wonderfully with gin or ice. Volare is a lovely brand for casual drinkers to enjoy a wide range of delicate and bold flavors. The limoncello is no exception and offers the same great experience as all the others. This is my favorite lemon liqueur to pair with gin or vodka. It evokes a sunny summertime feeling and is perfect for drinking with friends.
Tosolini Limoncello Liqueurs
Probably the most opaque of all the limoncello listed here, Tosolini Limoncello is a pungent and zesty limoncello with a creamy, smooth texture and complex flavor profile. It starts with a nose of pure, fresh lemon and offers a taste full of lemon zest and hints of lime. The aftertaste is cleansingly acidic, and overall this drink’s sweetness is reminiscent of sherbet. I’m not a fan of the look of this bottle or the liquid within, but the flavor is complex and offers some different notes from some of the others on this list. I find the opaque, creamy yellow color of the limoncello unappealing, but I love the hints of lime in the taste.
Russo Limoncello Liqueur
To finish off this list, I’d like to introduce you to the juggernaut that is Russo Limoncello Liqueur. Priced much higher than the other limoncello, this liqueur is straight out of Russo in the south of Italy. Made from 100% hand-peeled Amalfi lemons, this drink is ideal as an after-meal digestive or mixed in a fancy cocktail. There are absolutely no preservatives or additives in this limoncello, and it’s no wonder it still stands as Italy’s second favorite limoncello. Standing at 32% alcohol, the highest on this list, Russo Limoncello Liqueur is not to be trifled with. The zesty flavored and perfectly rounded finish may want to make you reach for another glass, but remember to take it slow with this drink.
