I love limoncello. It’s one of my favorite dessert liqueurs—boozy, citrusy, and a little sweet. Some may call it a lemon drop martini, which it almost is as it really uses the same raw ingredients at the end of the day.

The limoncello martini is a refreshing cocktail made with limoncello, vodka, fresh lemon juice, and fresh rosemary. You can of course buy limoncello or easily make your own.

Why are we adding more lemon and vodka? Well, limoncello is a strong and sometimes thick sipper, it’s not the right consistency for a martini, so we need to cut it with vodka and lemon juice. Yes, lessen it’s intensity with more Booze!

How to Make a Limoncello Martini

I use fresh rosemary in my cocktail as an unusual third element. I love fresh rosemary in drinks—it’s goes exceptionally well with citrusy cocktails. Plus I have heaps of fresh rosemary in my backyard I need to start using before it gets too cold.

Combine rosemary and limoncello in a cocktail shaker and gently muddle, infusing the natural rosemary flavor into the limoncello. Add lemon, vodka, ice, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.

Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon slice and sprig of rosemary.

How to Double Strain a Cocktail?

Double straining is pouring a cocktail through two strainers as you fill your glass. Cocktails with fresh muddled fruits, herbs, or purées are typically poured through a fine mesh strainer to avoid bits of fruit or herbs floating in the drink. Strain the cocktail using your shaker’s hawthorn strainer, and let it pass through another fine mesh strainer as you pour into a coupe glass. Any mesh strainer will do.

It’s not absolutely necessary, but more of a personal preference and makes for better presentation. I think little flecks of rosemary floating in the drink look odd.

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