What's not to love about a lemon meringue martini? This cocktail version of the popular pie is both tart and sweet, making it the perfect alternative to a traditional after-dinner dessert, particularly during the summer months when a heavy sweet at the end of a meal might be too much for full stomachs to handle.
Lemon Meringue Martini
The classic deserves all the attention it has garnered, so sippably perfect for when you cannot take another bite but want dessert.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces of limoncello liqueur
- ½ ounce Licor 43
- ½ ounce whipped cream vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce cream
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon wedge and sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- Rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the ice, limoncello, vodka, lemon juice, cream, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
Vanilla Bean Lemon Meringue Martini
Vanilla brings an almost savory feel to this sweet drink.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼-½ ounce cream, to taste
- ¼ ounce vanilla simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, cream, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
Limoncello Lemon Meringue Martini
This recipe lets the limoncello shine as the star, perfect for something a little more simple.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces limoncello
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- ½ ounce vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce whipped cream vodka
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add limoncello, cream, vodkas, and lemon juice.
- Shake well to chill and create froth.
- Strain into chilled glass.
Island Lemon Meringue Martini
Rum adds a gentle island note to this cocktail. It is a little sweeter and more robust than other versions, but this makes it perfect for sipping on a hot summer night.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of light rum
- ½ ounce of limoncello
- ½ ounce of triple sec
- ½ ounce of fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon wedge, sugar, and lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- Rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip half the rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, limoncello, triple sec, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Toasted Lemon Meringue Martini
Lemon meringue pie has deliciously toasted whipped peaks, the (lightly, or heavily scorched) marshmallow does the same job. Although it is a Lemon Meringue Martini feel free to opt for a rocks glass if you wanted additional stability for your garnish.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces marshmallow-infused or vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼-½ ounce heavy cream, to taste
- 2 dashes chocolate bitters
- Ice
- Toasted marshmallow on cocktail pick for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or rocks glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, cream, and bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled coupe or over fresh ice in rocks glass.
- Garnish with marshmallow.
Lemon-Lime Meringue Martini
The lemon-lime flavors make a decadent martini that is reminiscent of a superb mix of lemon meringue and key lime pie. If you desire a thicker froth as part of the garnish, consider serving this down, or neat.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces citron vodka
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼-½ ounce cream, to taste
- 1 egg white
- Dash lime or angostura bitters
- Ice
- Lime wedge and bitters for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or rocks glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, limoncello, lime juice, cream, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon wedge and a few drops of bitters, creating a design.
Raspberry Lemon Meringue
Swerving away from the more sour or citrus variations of the lemon meringue martini, consider one with a raspberry flavor.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces whipped cream vodka
- ¾ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼-½ ounce cream, to taste
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, raspberry liqueur, limoncello, lemon juice, and cream.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
Honey Lemon Meringue Martini
If sweet is your preferred palate, consider adding an extra splash of honey or including simple syrup as you make this variation your own.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces whipped cream vodka
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey
- ¼-½ ounce cream, to taste
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Orange or angostura bitters for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, honey, cream, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with a few drops of bitters, creating a design.
Orange Lemon Meringue Martini
Citrus flavors blend well together, so consider punching up the basic lemon meringue martini with some orange flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce whipped cream vodka
- ½ ounce orange vodka
- ½ triple Grand Marnier or orange liqueur
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼-½ ounce cream, to taste
- Ice
- Orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodkas, Grand Marnier, limoncello, lemon juice, and cream.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with orange wheel.
Whiskey Sour Lemon Meringue Martini
A happy combination of a whiskey sour and lemon meringue martini, this calms the bitterness of the classic sour with the creamy lemon meringue flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce whiskey
- ¾ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce cream
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Lime wheel and lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add whiskey, limoncello, lemon juice, cream, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon and lime.
Working the Meringue
Lemon meringue martinis are that rare but incredible drink that satisfies the sweet and sour desire without leaving you with heartburn or a toothache. With so many variations allowing room to customize or perfect, you can easily swap around ingredients. For starters, if you can't find Licor 43, consider using a vanilla liqueur with a splash of aged rum. The important part is to enjoy the process as much as the result. For more lemony goodness, try some of these other limoncello cocktails. You're bound to enjoy them.
