I’m a huge fan of limoncello! Lucky for us, this delightful liqueur has its own holiday! Mark your calendars for June 22nd—National Limoncello Day! With National Martini Day also just around the corner on June 19th, it’s the perfect time to introduce you to my latest obsession: the Limoncello Martini, elegantly enhanced with elderflower syrup.
![Gorgeous Limoncello Martini cocktail with elderflower syrup. Garnished with a lemon slice and placed on a mirrored coaster.](https://combinegoodflavors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/limoncello-martini-D75_8863-scaled.jpg)
This combination is absolutely divine, and I must confess, it has quickly become one of my all-time favorite martinis.
In this recipe, dry vermouth takes a backseat to the star of the show—Limoncello liqueur. So, if you’re not a fan of vermouth, this martini is just for you!
🥘 Ingredients
- Vodka: Opt for a high-quality, smooth vodka, such as Grey Goose or Belvedere, to ensure your martini has a clean, crisp base.
- Limoncello: Choose an authentic Italian Limoncello like Villa Massa or Pallini for the best balance of sweetness and citrus zest.
- Elderflower syrup: For a touch of floral sweetness, use Monin Elderflower Syrup, which is known for its high-quality ingredients and rich flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential; check out my blog post on how much juice you can get from one lemon and our compelling guide to freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Garnish: simple, a lemon slice
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍸 Step-by-Step
🔪 Instructions
Although I typically prefer my martinis stirred, today, I’m siding with James Bond and serving this one shaken, not stirred.
Who’s your favorite actor to play 007? For me, it’s Sean Connery all the way! Who’s your top pick? (let me know in the comments) 😊
- Add vodka, limoncello, elderflower liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice to a
cocktail shaker . - Add cubed ice.
- Close the shaker and shake vigorously!
- Fine-strain into a serving (martini) glass.
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
😊 What does a Limoncello Martini with Elderflower Syrup Taste Like?
A Limoncello Martini with elderflower syrup tastes like a refreshing blend of citrusy sweetness and delicate floral notes.
The limoncello provides a bright, zesty lemon flavor that is balanced by the smooth, slightly sweet elderflower syrup.
This combination creates a harmonious and sophisticated drink with a crisp, clean finish, making it both invigorating and complex.
💕 Delightful Pairing
Pairing a Limoncello Martini with sweet treats can elevate your cocktail experience to new heights. Here are a few delightful dessert pairings from our blog that complement the citrus and floral notes of this martini:
- Lotus Biscoff Cake Pops - These no-bake treats combine the caramel flavor of Biscoff cookies with creamy mascarpone, creating a sweet and satisfying bite that pairs wonderfully with the zesty Limoncello Martini.
- Cranberry Bundt Cake - This festive cake, with its mix of cinnamon, dark chocolate chips, and dried cranberries, offers a rich and slightly tart flavor that complements the sweetness of the elderflower syrup in the martini.
- Walnut Meringue Cookies - Light and airy, these gluten-free cookies provide a nutty crunch that balances the smooth, refreshing qualities of the Limoncello Martini.
- Buchteln (Austrian Filled Sweet Rolls) - These fluffy yeast rolls filled with apricot jam or chocolate are perfect for soaking up the vibrant flavors of the martini, adding a touch of traditional Austrian sweetness to your cocktail experience.
🍋 Substitutions
Vodka
- Substitute:
Gin - Why:
Gin can add a botanical twist to your martini, providing a different layer of flavor that complements the citrus and floral notes.
Elderflower Syrup
- Substitute: St-Germain (Elderflower Liqueur) or Honey Syrup
- Why: St-Germain is an elderflower liqueur that maintains the floral essence. For a non-alcoholic option, honey syrup (a mix of honey and water) can provide a similar sweetness with a different yet pleasant flavor profile.
Garnish - Lemon Slice
- Substitute: Lime Slice, Orange Peel, or Fresh Herbs (such as Mint or Basil)
- Why: A lime slice offers a similar look with a different flavor, while an orange peel can add a hint of sweetness and complexity. Fresh herbs can add an aromatic element that enhances the overall drink experience.
Enjoy experimenting with these alternatives!
🍽 Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker - check out our blog post about different types of cocktail shakers to find your perfect match!
- Measuring Tools/Jigger
- Lemon squeezer
- Fine-strainer
💭 Top tips
Fine-straining a martini is crucial for several reasons:
- It removes small ice shards and pulp, resulting in a smoother, more refined texture.
- A clear, particle-free drink looks more visually appealing.
- Straining out any solids ensures a consistent and clean flavor.
- A well-strained martini has a better mouthfeel, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
🙋🏻 FAQ
Yes, Limoncello is a liqueur. It is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy. Limoncello is known for its bright, sweet, and tangy lemon flavor and is typically enjoyed as a digestif after meals.
💛 Other Recipes for You to Try
- Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
- Watermelon Martini
- Martinez
- Lemon White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Martini Roundup for National Martini Day
- Limoncello Martini (coming soon)
- Classic Martini (coming soon)
- Sparkling Limoncello (coming soon)
- Limoncello Vodka
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don't miss it.
📖 Recipe
Delightful Limoncello Martini with Elderflower Syrup
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Serving Glass (Martini glass)
Ingredients
- Cubed ice for the stirring glass
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Limoncello
- 1 oz Elderflower syrup
- 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Add Cubed ice to the cocktail shaker.Cubed ice
- Add 2 oz Vodka, 1 oz Elderflower syrup, 1 oz Fresh lemon juice, and 1 oz Limoncello.2 oz Vodka, 1 oz Limoncello, 1 oz Elderflower syrup, 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
- Shake until well combined.
- Fine-strain the drink into a serving glass.
- Garnish with a Lemon slice.Lemon slice
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.
DK
You have such good drink recipes! This one is no exception - I love this martini and I even doubled the amount of elder flower syrup for that extra floral sweetness!
Nora
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you liked it!
Jacqueline Debono
I made this limoncello martini with my homemade elderflower syrup. I make it every year as we're surrounded by elderberry trees! Such a delicious drink and combo of flavours!
Nora
This sounds wonderful! Thank you, Jacqueline!
Liz
A tasty refreshing cocktail! I served this to a group of girlfriends and it was a hit!!
Nora
That is wonderful, Liz! Thank you!
Claudia
This Limoncello Martini with Elderflower Syrup is a refreshing and elegant cocktail. The bright citrus notes and floral hints make it a perfect drink for any occasion. Cheers to something truly delightful!
Nora
Cheers Claudia! And thank you so much!
Sonja
I love Limoncello and I love Elderflower anything, but never thought to combine the two. This is just so delicious and refreshing!
Nora
Thank you, Sonja! I am so happy you liked it!