Summer, for me, signals the start of Limoncello Collins season: cold, bright, and citrusy, exactly what I crave as soon as the heat really sets in. I still remember the first time I put one together – there was a massive heatwave and a handful of restless friends in my backyard, and I’d just brought back a bottle of limoncello from a trip to Italy. We were melting, and I started mixing out of desperation and curiosity. That drink was an instant hit; even now, my friends joke about how it “saved the day” when it was pushing 95 degrees.
The Limoncello Collins is essentially a sun-drenched riff on the Tom Collins, with limoncello stepping in for the usual simple syrup, infusing every sip with that uniquely Mediterranean sweet-tart lemon flavor. It’s playful and refreshing and somehow feels less serious than a gin and tonic, but just as sophisticated. I love how the limoncello’s mellow lemony sweetness mingles with good gin’s botanicals – each element letting the other shine. Thanks to the soda water, it’s got effervescence that makes it way too easy to go back for another.
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I wouldn’t call this an “historic” cocktail (it’s not on every dusty bar menu), but it wears its pedigree well: a little bit of 19th-century London from the Tom Collins, and a giant squeeze of Italian summer from the limoncello. Put together, it feels classic and new at once – a specialty of its own.
What you’ll need:
- 2 oz limoncello (if you can get the good stuff from the Amalfi Coast, even better)
- 1 oz gin (I always reach for Tanqueray, but anything in the London Dry family works)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice (honestly, it makes all the difference – skip the bottled)
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Soda water, chilled
- Lemon slice or wheel, for garnish
- Ice
Serve it up in a Collins glass if you have one – tall and slim, so you see that pale, lemony color and keep the bubbles lively. But don’t sweat it if you’re working with whatever glass is within reach; I’ve made plenty in regular pint glasses.
How to make it:
- Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters with ice.
- Pour in the limoncello, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake it hard – aim for about 15 seconds, just until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Add fresh ice to your glass.
- Strain the cocktail over the ice.
- Top with soda water (about 2 to 3 ounces, depending on the glass).
- Give it a gentle stir and garnish with a lemon slice or wheel.
The final drink should look like a sort of cloudy, pale yellow morning – totally inviting, with little streams of bubbles drifting up and a bright lemon aroma.
One thing that’s fun about this drink: it’s wildly adaptable to the people around you. My sister prefers hers with vodka instead of gin – makes it a touch lighter and lets the limoncello really take over. My neighbor throws a handful of blueberries into the shaker and gives them a quick muddle for a berry-kissed twist. I’ve even made a zero-proof version with lemonade, a little honey syrup, and a splash of club soda; add a squeeze of orange, and you almost don’t miss the booze (well… almost).
As far as pairings go, you can’t go wrong with food from the grill. I’m partial to grilled shrimp, but this cocktail stands up to a plate of mild cheese and fresh bread, too – think mozzarella or a gentle goat cheese, nothing too pungent to drown out those pure lemony notes.
A couple things I’ve learned to never compromise on: fresh lemon juice is a must, and good limoncello is worth tracking down. The cheap syrupy stuff just doesn’t sing. And don’t try to make these in big batches with the soda pre-mixed in – the bubbles go flat. You can mix up the limoncello, gin, lemon, and syrup ahead of time if you’re hosting a crowd, but always top with soda to order.
It’s funny – this started out as an experiment, but over the years, the Limoncello Collins has become my signature summer move. There’s something about handing one of these to a friend, condensation running down the glass, sun shining, and just seeing that look – like, yes, this is what summer is supposed to taste like. Even if you’re just sitting on the porch, it feels like a little vacation.
