limoncello margarita photo, yellow cocktail photography — Limoncello Margarita

Limoncello margarita is a lemony, Italian take on that classic, sexy cocktail! Only on LinsFood!

This is a post that is long overdue, something I’ve promised the many, many visitors to the Limoncello post – an actual limoncello cocktail post! I promise you won’t be disappointed!

What is Limoncello?

Click here to read more and for the homemade recipe.

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur, made with steeping lemon peel in grain alcohol (or vodka, as a subsitute).

It is also known as limoncino and limonello, depending on which part of Italy you happen to be in. While it’s popular all over the country (and elsewhere), it has its roots in Southern Italy, specifically, the Amalfi Coast, Sorento and the island of Capri.

Frozen Homemade Limoncello in shot glass, black background — Homemade Limoncello

What is Margarita?

The traditional margarita is a cocktail made with tequila, triple sec (like Cointreau), lime juice and simple syrup. It’s my favourite summer cocktail, with the possible exception of Pimm’s, that British standard, synonymous with Wimbledon.

Can you believe, at last count, I have 6 margarita recipes on this site? Today’s makes it 7! I did say I love margarita, didn’t I?

Limoncello Margarita Recipe

Today’s recipe, limoncello margarita, was an easy one in the making. There was hardly any thinking required, and no experimenting whatsoever.

The ingredients I used were a straight swap for the traditional margarita. Naturally, I kept the tequila, as I do with all our margarita recipes. Because you know what I always say,

It ain’t no margarita if it ain’t got tequila!

Besides that, the limoncello replaced the cointreau, and lemon juice replaced the lime juice; limoncello is lemon based, after all.

It really is that easy.

limoncello margarita photography, yellow cocktail photography — adjust the lemon juice to your taste

What Tequila to use in Limoncello Margarita?

So, you know there are different types of tequila, right?

blanco (silver) – young and freshly distilled, it isn’t aged at all. Very popular in making margaritas and cocktails.
joven (young) – this is a mix, and isn’t common at all. It’s essentially blanco mixed with something else, like colour or even the aged añejo
reposado – aged 2 months to a year in oak barrels, is golden, and has a more rounded flavour. To me, a better margarita tequila, and the one we are using here.
añejo – aged 1 to 3 years, is pretty smooth as best enjoyed on its own and not wasted in cocktails.
extra añejo – for true tequila afficionados, this is any tequila that’s been aged more than 3 years. A pretty dark tequila and super smooth.

So we are using Reposado Tequila in our Limoncello Margarita. No need to break the bank here, just get one that you can stomach on its own and is in your budget.

Make your own limoncello or use a shop bought one.

If you fancy a delicious project this summer (or when lemons are season), make your own limoncello. I have a post on that, and it’s probably the most comprehensive article on limoncello you’ll ever come across. So if you are that way inclined, you’ll enjoy reading it, then hopefully, making it!

Alcohol Content (abv) in Limoncello

Homemade limoncello is going to be more potent than the shop bought variety. This is because we always strive for a minimum 30% abv, so that we can place our limoncello in the freezer without the risk of freezing; as limoncello is best when drunk neat, straight out of the freezer. You can read more on the limoncello post.

Shop bought limoncello, in my exerience, tends to be less than 30% abv, at least here in the UK, at any rate. So be aware of this when serving and drinking our limoncello margarita, as it can be potent stuff.

Right then, I think we’ve covered everything. Shall we go see how easy it is to make limoncello margarita?

♥ And if you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! 😉 Thank you! ♥

And if you make it, share it on any social medium and tag me!

Lin xx

More Margarita Recipes

Rhubarb Margarita with Ginger Salt Rim
Classic Margarita
Tomatillo and Jalapeño Margarita with Salt & Pepper Rim
Bloody Margarita, a Halloween Cocktail
Christmas Margarita with Polish Krupnik
Strawberry Margarita