Amayzine

5 unexpected things you can do with limoncello

Never, never, jamais, mai, ever will I forget that evening when our Swedish friends (who are not exactly averse to an alcoholic treat) funneled their homemade limoncello into our mouths. Learned lesson: leave, however well-intentioned, the making of limoncello to the professionals.

So I dared to accept an invitation from Pallini, a fifth-generation family business that has been making alcoholic beverages for 170 years and has focused on limoncello since 1990.

The fact that it was on the Amalfi Coast and organized by my PR friends Melanie van Wijk and Linda Botter, and that I could bring my favorite Daan along, made me immediately shout ‘yes, I do’ very loudly.

They were sun-drenched and alcohol-filled days because you understand that those who live limoncello also serve limoncello, whether it was at 11:00 in the morning or at midnight. But then in many variations. I will tell you all the options and also the secret limoncello rule.

1. Keep the bottle in the fridge and the glasses in the freezer. I always thought the bottle had to go in the freezer, but it becomes a bit too syrupy there.

2. Pallini has different types of limoncello, I will go through them step by step with you. The regular limoncello with an alcohol percentage of a solid 26 percent (they are still on the low side, as there are many limoncello brands that hit 35 percent... Hello hangover).

3. Pallini Cream, this limoncello is vegan, so cozy. The creamy part is made with coconut milk. It is so airy and soft. Sorry Baileys, I'm going to cheat a bit this winter.

4. Pallini Limoncetto. This one does have alcohol, but a lot less: about 16 percent. You can still have a glass.

5. Pallini Zero. This one is truly alcohol-free. I will send it to my Swedish friends.

Drink your limoncello differently. In those 48 hours in Amalfi, I touched all sides of the limoncello spectrum, so I now consider myself an expert. I’ll give some fun suggestions.

Limoncello Spritz
Two parts limoncello, two parts prosecco, and one part sparkling water.

Limoncello tonic
One part limoncello and two to three parts tonic. Lots of ice, a mint leaf added, and you're done.

Amalfi Mule

  • 1.5 parts vodka
  • 1 part limoncello
  • 1 part lime juice
  • 1 mint leaf
  • Ice cream
  • Shake it baby, and you have your Amalfi cocktail.

LEMOUSIN

  • 30 ml Pallini Limoncello
  • 30 ml Courvoisier VS cognac
  • 20 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 5 slices of ginger
  • 1 slice of chili pepper with the seeds still in
  • top off with sparkling mineral water

Muddle four slices of ginger in a cocktail shaker. Add the limoncello, cognac, and lemon juice.
Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake hard. Strain into a long drink glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling mineral water. Garnish with a slice of chili pepper and a slice of ginger.

And if you feel like the Shirley Temple version, take the alcohol-free Pallini. Cheers!