The Limoncello Margarita is a celebration of citrus and tequila. A riff on the classic Margarita, this drink swaps orange liqueur for limoncello, and uses fresh Meyer lemon juice in addition to lime. It’s served with a festive rim of flaky salt that is rubbed with fragrant lemon zest to add another element of citrus.
Developed by chef Claudette Zepeda, the Limoncello Margarita blends the classic flavors of the beloved cocktail with Italian flair. In this recipe Zepeda features Meyer lemon, a fruitier variety of lemon that has a sweeter, more floral flavor profile in addition to fresh lime and limoncello. A traditional Margarita calls for orange liqueur, but in this recipe Zepeda leans on limoncello instead.
This drink has prominent lemon notes since it calls for an equal base of limoncello and tequila. While we’ve split it into two drinks here, it can be combined for one extra large — and extra punchy — cocktail.
Why the Limoncello Margarita works
Zepeda’s recipe works beautifully for a few reasons: the multiple forms of citrus — fresh juice, liqueur, and zest — create complex layers of flavor, the tart notes are balanced by the simple syrup and limoncello, and the tequila flavor still really comes through.
While blanco tequila is a go-to for Margarita’s given its fresh, herbal flavor profile, Zepeda also offers an alternative to use reposado tequila. The aged tequila adds a touch of caramel sweetness to the cocktail.
Meyer lemons give the Limoncello Margarita a lovely, fruity quality, but traditional lemons can be substituted instead. In that case, decrease the amount of lemon juice from 1 1/2 ounces to 1 ounce.
Dining and Cooking