Pallini Limoncello Liqueur
Pallini Limoncello Liqueur is a 26% ABV (52 proof), 750mL Italian limoncello from Pallini, the family liqueur house founded by Nicola Pallini in Antrodoco in 1875 and based in Rome since 1917. It is made from the zest of Sfusato lemons of the Amalfi Coast — the Costa d'Amalfi PGI variety, hand-picked, grown without pesticides, peeled so only the yellow zest is taken with none of the bitter white pith, and used within 24 hours of harvest. The peels are soaked in pure alcohol distilled from sugarbeet molasses, the liqueur is sweetened with Italian sugarbeet sugar, and additional lemon oils are added — a step the brand calls unique to Pallini. Wine Enthusiast rated it 90–95 points and a Best Buy. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 26% (52 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Limoncello — lemon zest liqueur / digestif
- Lemons: Sfusato Amalfitano, Costa d'Amalfi PGI — hand-picked, pesticide-free, zest only, used within 24 hours of harvest
- Base: Alcohol from sugarbeet molasses; sweetened with Italian sugarbeet sugar; added lemon oils
- Certifications: GMO-free, gluten-free, kosher certified, vegan (importer copy)
- Scores: 90–95 points, Best Buy — Wine Enthusiast (2006); Silver, 89 points — Bartender Spirits Awards (2021)
- Producer: Pallini S.p.A., Rome — founded 1875 in Antrodoco; family-owned
A Family Recipe Built on Amalfi Lemons
Pallini has been a family business since 1875, led today by Micaela Pallini, and its limoncello follows the family's century-old recipe discipline: the right lemon, handled fast. The Sfusato of the Amalfi Coast — large, heavy, spindle-shaped — is carried down the steep groves by hand, peeled at once, and only the fragrant yellow zest, never the bitter pith, goes into the alcohol. The result is what the brand calls a pure lemon essence: spicy, tangy, fresh. Explore the house on the Pallini vendor page or browse the liqueurs collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Strong, fresh lemon zest with a slight bitterness. Palate: Full-bodied and vibrant — lemon-drop sweetness kept pleasantly tart, crisp lemon-zest character with light earthy tones. Finish: Long and complex, balanced alcohol, growing more refreshing through the midpalate (Wine Enthusiast).
How to Enjoy
The traditional Italian serve: straight from the freezer, in a chilled small glass, sipped slowly as a digestivo. It also makes the Pallini Spritz (3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Pallini, 1 part soda) and lifts desserts, sorbets and lemon cakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lemons does Pallini use? Sfusato lemons from the Amalfi Coast (Costa d'Amalfi PGI) — hand-picked, pesticide-free, with only the yellow zest used, within 24 hours of harvest.
How strong is it? 26% ABV (52 proof) in this 750mL bottle.
How should limoncello be served? Ice-cold, straight from the freezer, as a digestif after a meal — or lengthened into a spritz with Prosecco and soda.
Amalfi zest in the traditional style — get Pallini Limoncello online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.