Give desserts and drinks a boozy kick with our easy limoncello recipes. Make it yourself at home with our super simple step-by-step, or use a shop-bought bottle for an Italian twist to summer tarts, pies and cocktails.

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For more zingy tipples, check out our best citrus cocktails, including blood orange margaritas, or take a look at the best digestifs to try for post-supper sipping. We also have more Italian recipes and desserts so you can curate the ultimate Italian dinner party menu.


How to make it yourself: Limoncello

Mix vodka, sugar and the best-quality lemons you can find to make this winningly simple homemade limoncello. Perfect as an aperitif or for post-supper sipping alongside an Italian-inspired feast. If you want to stock up on shop-bought limoncello, we like this Limoncello de Capri and Pallini Limoncello.

A bottle of homemade limoncello with two glasses on the side

10 ways to use limoncello

Homemade limoncello is livened with gin, soda and thyme in this herby twist on a collins. Fix yourself a glass on a warm summer's day and you're good to go.

Check out more of our zingy summer cocktails here, including white wine sangria and banana daiquiri.

Limoncello and thyme collins

Limoncello offers a boozy kick with zingy lemon in this smart Italian dessert. This recipe serves up to eight, perfect for a dinner party. For more Italian puds check out our best Italian dessert recipes.

Limoncello baba with a quenelle of ice cream on a blue plate

The combination of perfectly crisp, golden brown pastry and smooth, sharp-yet-sweet lemon curd makes the ultimate tart au citron. We've pepped it with boozy limoncello for an Italian twist.

Make this impressive pud for a light yet seriously moreish dinner party dessert, then check out more of the best easy dessert recipes.

Limoncello Tart Recipe

Our refreshing limoncello spritz is deceptively easy to make – all you'll need is limoncello, sparkling wine, sparkling water and a little fresh thyme.

Find plenty more of our citrussy cocktail recipes here.

Limoncello Spritz Recipe

Put lemons to great use in this beautiful limoncello-flavoured pie. It's a great way to zest up an afternoon tea, or present to guests at an Italian-inspired dinner. Take a browse through our best lemon desserts for more zesty sweet treats.

Limoncello Meringue Pie Recipe

Make like the Italians with this dense, rich polenta cake, spiked with a boozy limoncello syrup. Find more variations on a traditional polenta cake here.

Lemon polenta cake with limoncello syrup

Limoncello, lemon ice cream and prosecco meet in this sophisticated yet super easy cocktail-cum-dessert. Make it for a refreshing end to a summer get-together.

Enjoy la dolce vita from your own home with more Italian recipes.

Sgroppino Cocktail Recipe

Golden caster sugar, lemons and limoncello liqueur – homemade granita really is that simple. Try this smart dessert for your next dinner party – you can prepare ahead to make entertaining a breeze.

lemoncello granita

Experiment with limoncello in this speedy syllabub topped with crushed amaretti biscuits. This recipe makes up to six, so it's great for a summer party.

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This refreshing aperitif comes bursting with citrus and floral notes, pairing zesty limoncello with a semi-dry white vermouth for a real kick. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and basil leaf and enjoy!

Glass of 'The Lively Australian' cocktail with basil garnish and bottle of vermouth in the background

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