Bourbon Limoncello Cocktail

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

A glass of iced cocktail garnished with lemon slices and mint, surrounded by bottles and a whole lemon on a marble surface.

A glass of pink cocktail with ice, garnished with a lemon slice and mint leaf, next to a bottle labeled "Limoncello." A striped cloth is partially visible at the bottom.

Hand holding a cocktail with a lemon slice, in front of a bottle of liquor, bitters, and a lemon on a countertop.

A cocktail with ice, lemon, and mint in a glass. Bottles of liqueur and bourbon are in the background, along with a striped cloth.

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

How to Make a Refreshing Bourbon Lemon Cocktail

I am 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:

Bourbon, limoncello, bitters, tart cherry spread, and a sliced lemon are on a countertop with a striped cloth and mint plant in the background.

Assemble

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

A cocktail with lemon and mint is placed in front of bottles of bourbon, limoncello, bitters, and a lemon, on a striped cloth with a tiled backsplash.

Combine Ingredients

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

A person pours a pink cocktail into a glass with ice, orange slice, and mint. Bottles of liquor and bitters, a lemon, and a striped cloth are in the background.

Pour and Enjoy

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

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Limoncello Bourbon Cocktail

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 just 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.

FAQs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 my favorite fruit salad, caprese bruschetta, gildas pintxos, caramelized onion brie tarts, or my Nutella fruit tarts for a sweet option.

You can find other cocktail recipes here.

Try these snacks with your cocktail:

Bourbon Limoncello Cocktail