Limoncello Collins recipe
A refreshing, Italian-inspired twist on the classic Collins marrying crisp gin with vibrant lemon liqueur.
Method: Build and top with club soda ·
Glass: Tall Collins glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz London dry gin (Botanical and crisp)
- 1 oz Limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice (Newly expressed)
- 0.25 oz Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water, optional)
- 4 oz Club soda (Chilled, to top)
How to make a Limoncello Collins
- Combine the gin, limoncello, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a tall Collins glass filled with ice cubes.
- Stir gently for several seconds to thoroughly chill and combine the ingredients.
- Top the mixture with chilled club soda.
- Give one brief, upward stir to integrate the carbonation without losing bubbles.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon wheel and serve immediately.
Garnish
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a fresh mint sprig.
Pro tip
Because limoncello contains a high sugar content, taste the lemon juice and liqueur balance before adding extra simple syrup. Pour the club soda down a bar spoon or tilt the glass to preserve maximum effervescence.
History of the Limoncello Collins
The Limoncello Collins emerges as a modern, Mediterranean-infused evolution of the traditional Tom Collins, which gained popularity in mid-nineteenth-century London and American drinking culture. While exact attribution for combining traditional English gin-and-lemonade highballs with southern Italian limoncello remains undocumented, bartenders across coastal Italy and international craft cocktail bars popularized the pairing in the late twentieth century. This variant bridges classic botanical gin profiles with the rich, sun-ripened citrus oils of traditional Italian lemon liqueur, creating a vibrant seasonal update to standard tall refresher formats.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Botanical, Sweet-tart, Effervescent
Variations
- Limoncello Spritz — Omit gin and club soda, substituting Prosecco for a classic Italian aperitivo proportion.
- Amalfi Basil Collins — Muddle three fresh basil leaves at the base of the glass before adding spirits and ice for an herbal edge.
Practise making the Limoncello Collins in the free Virtual Bar game.