Bourbon Limoncello Cocktail

It isn't summer yet until we have sipped our legendary Bourbon Limoncello Cocktail! This solid mixed drink combines sharp acidic limoncello and lemon juice with sweet preserves, fresh herbs, oaky bourbon, and a touch of bitters. This cocktail is our husband's favorite summer drink, and we are sure it will be yours!

This good summer bourbon limoncello cocktail is inspired by one we had out on a date with our husband at a fancy cocktail bar in our hometown of Greenville, SC one evening.

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make a Refreshing Bourbon Lemon Cocktail

We are a big limoncello fan and love that it has a bit of every flavor profile – acid from the lemon and limoncello, sweet from the jam, bitters, fresh herbs, and oaky bourbon.

Bourbon Limoncello Cocktail Ingredients

First assemble the following ingredients:

• Lemon juice (1/2 oz) – Adds a bright, citrusy tang that balances the richness of the bourbon and sweetness of the preserves.
• Limoncello (3/4 oz) – Infuses the drink with a smooth, lemony sweetness that enhances the citrus profile.
• Blackberry preserves (1 tablespoon) – Brings fruity depth and a touch of jammy sweetness; feel free to experiment with your favorite preserve/jam flavor.
• Mint leaves (5-6) – Add fresh herbal notes and aroma; lavender, rosemary, or sage offer creative, aromatic alternatives.
• Bourbon (1.5 oz) – Provides warmth, complexity, and a bold foundation for the cocktail.
• Dark Cocktail Bitters (4 dashes) – Introduces subtle spice and bitterness to round out the flavors.
• Garnish: lemon wheel, mint sprig – A visual and aromatic finishing touch that hints at the cocktail's fresh, vibrant flavors.

Steps to Make A Limoncello Bourbon Drink

Once you've gathered your ingredients, we will use the following steps to make this drink:

Assemble

Assemble all the ingredients. Add lemon juice and peach preserves to bottom of a cocktail shaker.

Combine Ingredients

Stir to break up the preserves. Add limoncello, bourbon, bitters and herb leaves. Add ice and shake for 10-12 seconds.

Pour and Enjoy

Double strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with lemon wheel and mint sprig.

Kitchen notes

Use fresh lemon juice – Freshly squeezed juice adds brightness and depth compared to bottled versions.

Warm the preserves slightly – Loosening the jam makes it easier to mix smoothly into the cocktail.

Double strain – Use a fine mesh strainer to remove mint bits and preserve seeds for a cleaner sip.

Muddle gently – Press the mint enough to release oils without turning it bitter.

Chill your glass – A cold glass helps keep the drink refreshing longer.

Balance sweetness and acidity – Adjust lemon juice or preserves to suit your taste.

Try infused bourbons – A citrus- or berry-infused bourbon can complement the flavors beautifully.

Use quality limoncello – The smoother and more natural the limoncello, the better the cocktail.

Experiment with herbs – Swap mint with rosemary, sage, or lavender for a seasonal twist.

Garnish with intention – A fresh mint sprig and lemon wheel add both aroma and visual appeal.

A few answers

Can we use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice is strongly recommended for the best flavor, but bottled can be used in a pinch—choose one without additives.

What kind of preserves work best?

Blackberry preserves add great depth, but you can use raspberry, strawberry, cherry, or even fig for different flavor profiles.

Do we have to use mint?

No—herbs like rosemary, sage, or lavender also work beautifully and add unique aromatic notes.

Can we make it ahead of time?

You can mix the lemon juice, limoncello, preserves, and bitters ahead, but add the mint, bourbon, and shake before serving.

What's the best bourbon to use?

A smooth, mid-range bourbon with vanilla or caramel notes complements the citrus and fruit flavors well.

Can we serve this over ice instead of straight up?

Yes—serving it over ice makes for a more relaxed, sippable version of the cocktail.

What bitters should we use?

Aromatic or dark cocktail bitters like Angostura work great; for variation, try orange or cherry bitters.

What to Enjoy with Bourbon Lemon Cocktail

This cocktail can be paired with any of your favorite summer dishes or snacks below!

When we host parties, we serve this cocktail alongside our favorite fruit saladcaprese bruschettagildas pintxoscaramelized onion brie tartsor our Nutella fruit tarts for a sweet option.

You can find other cocktail recipes here.

Share Pin It Follow

Ingredients

• ½ oz lemon juice
• ¾ oz limoncello
• 1 tbsp blackberry preserves
• 5-6 mint, or rosemary, fresh
• 1.5 oz bourbon or rye
• 4 dashes dark cocktail bitters
• lemon wheel, mint spring, to garnish

Method

1. Add lemon juice and jam to bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Stir to break up the preserves.
3. Add limoncello, bourbon, bitters and herb leaves.
4. Add ice and shake for 10-12 seconds
5. Double strain into a rocks glass over ice.
6. Garnish with lemon wheel and mint sprig.