Limoncello and Prosecco Float with Smoked Lavender? UM YES PLEASE!!!! This is a delicious twist on the old school root beer floats that we all enjoyed at some point in our childhood. If this intrigues you, keep on reading because summer is nearing its end and you’ll regret not making this at least once!
What is Limoncello?
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that is well-known for its refreshing and citrusy flavor. It is typically made from lemon zest, alcohol, water, and sugar. The process of making limoncello involves steeping lemon peels in alcohol to extract the citrus oils and flavors. Limoncello tastes exactly like melted lemon candies and let me tell you, it is sugary, sour, and oh so delicious!!
Here’s a brief overview of the traditional limoncello-making process:
- Lemon peels are carefully peeled from fresh lemons, avoiding the white pith as it can make the liqueur bitter.
- The lemon peels are then steeped in pure alcohol (often a high-proof grain alcohol) for several days to several weeks. This allows the alcohol to absorb the lemon oils and flavors.
- After the steeping process, a simple syrup made from water and sugar is added to the alcohol mixture. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
- The mixture is then left to rest for a little while longer, allowing the flavors to meld and the liqueur to mature.
- Finally, the limoncello is strained and bottled for consumption. It is often served chilled as a digestif or a refreshing after-dinner drink.
If making Limoncello isn’t your thing, you can certainly just buy it (which is what we did hehe). Here is the one that we purchased!
Smoked Lavender
One of my favorite smoke dusts that we offer is the Lavender. I love it because it is so versatile! It can be used not only with cocktails, but with coffee, lattes, and desserts- yum!
The flavor of lavender is floral, sweet, and slightly herbaceous with a hint of mint and a touch of bitterness. It is often described as having a delicate and aromatic taste, reminiscent of the scent of fresh lavender flowers.
Lavender is commonly used in culinary applications as a flavoring agent and is known for its versatility. It’s important to use culinary-grade lavender for cooking and baking, as some types of lavender may be treated with pesticides or not suitable for consumption. Our Lavender smoke dust is culinary grade- so all good!
Lavender and Lemon are like a match made in Heaven! The sourness of the lemons are toned down by the floral notes of the lavender. The combination mixes so well!!
Limoncello and Prosecco Float
A while back, one of my cousins who has the Smokeshow Cocktail Smoker texted me to say she was enjoying lemon ice cream with smoked lavender. That got me thinking on how I could turn it into a boozy dessert! Thus, the Limoncello and Prosecco Float was born.
Start with picking out a fun glass! We served ours in a hurricane glass! Next, pick out fun straws like these and a spoon.
Then, pick out your favorite vanilla ice cream! Depending on the size of your glass, choose 1-2 scoops to best fill your glass. We did 2 scoops of ice cream for our size glass.
Then, grab you Limoncello, whether store-bought or homemade, and pour 1.5 oz over the ice cream. Then, grab your Smokeshow Cocktail Smoker and place on top of the glass. Add a small amount of the lavender ( a pinch will do!) and hit that with your torch. The smell will overcome you and make you want to dive in! But! It’s not ready. Take the smoker off and as the smoke is billowing out, add your prosecco until the glass is full. You will feel like a mad scientist as the smoke flows out and the prosecco bubbles!
Finally, give a quick stir to mix all of the flavors. If you want more smoke, feel free to hit it again!
Limoncello and Lavender Prosecco Float
Equipment
- 1 glass
- 1 ice cream scoop
- 1 Smokeshow Cocktail Smoker
Ingredients
Dessert Cocktail
- 1.5 oz Limoncello
- 6 oz Prosecco (or until glass fills)
- 1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Garnish & Smoke
- 1 slice lemon
- 1 pinch Lavender Smoke Dust
Instructions
Dessert Cocktail & Smoke
- Add ice cream to glass. Pour Limoncello over ice cream.
- Place smoker on top and smoke!
- Remove smoker and top with prosecco!
