What does the word limoncello mean?
Limoncello, often nicknamed “the yellow gold of the Amalfi Coast” is a traditional Italian liqueur, famous for its lemony aroma and sunny color. The name “limoncello” comes from the combination of the word “limone” which means “lemon” in Italian and the suffix “cello”, typical of Italian diminutives, expressing the idea of a small lemonade.
This name perfectly reflects the refreshing, gourmand nature of this liqueur, which embodies the very essence of Mediterranean freshness.
In the beginning…
The precise origins of limoncello remain somewhat hazy; it is thought to have originated in the early 20th century, on the Amalfi coast in Italy. The Sorrento and Capri region, renowned for its lush lemons, is said to be the birthplace of this delicious liqueur.
The story goes that nuns in the region’s convents used to make this liqueur from local lemons to provide a refreshing digestif for visitors and pilgrims. Little by little, limoncello’s reputation spread throughout Italy and beyond, becoming an emblematic symbol of Italian hospitality and conviviality.
Today, limoncello is appreciated across the world for its sour, sweet taste, as well as for its sunny, invigorating character.
It is often enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif, served well chilled to bring out all its aromatic nuances.
The making of limoncello
Limoncello, is a traditional Italian liqueur made from lemon peel, alcohol, water, and sugar. To produce it, lemons of specific varieties are generally used, such as Sorrento lemons or Capri lemons, known for their thick, aromatic skin.
The peels of these lemons are infused in alcohol for several days, then mixed with a sweet syrup before being filtered. The result is a sweet-sour liqueur with a characteristic bright yellow color.
What do you know about the use of limoncello in perfumery?
In perfumery, accords reproducing the scent of limoncello have recently been created to create original, fruity, liqueur-like fragrance oils. Its olfactory profile is dominated by fresh, lemony notes, but gourmand, creamy notes are also perceptible and are reminiscent of lemon-based pastries.
It is often used as a top note to give a sparkling opening to a perfume.
Limoncello has only recently been showcased in perfumery, but its use is gradually spreading.
Good to know!
Limoncello is a digestive traditionally consumed in Italy after meals to avoid digestion. The lemon peels used in its preparation contain health-promoting antioxidants and flavonoids, which help protect the body against free radicals and inflammation.
Some even credit limoncello with morale-boosting properties thanks to its bright, sunny, lemony aroma, which can provide a feeling of well-being and vitality. However, it is important to consume it in moderation due to its alcohol content.
Our favorites limoncello perfumes
The limoncello accords is not yet very widespread on the perfume market, but it can be found in a few niche fragrances and in some fragrances from major perfume brands, making a fragrance an exceptional one!
• Limoncello Brocard: A fresh, sunny eau de parfum in which limoncello is combined with several different citrus fruits! Limoncello Brocard reveals a sparkling and gourmand fragrance, a true invitation to an olfactory journey in the heart of the Mediterranean.
• El Ganso Limoncello Season eau de toilette: this sparkling fragrance combines the citrus freshness of limoncello with spicy, fruity top notes. At the heart, a marine accord extends the olfactory journey to the heart of the Mediterranean. This eau de toilette, Limoncello Season by El Ganso is one of the most famous using the limoncello accord.
• Ritual Date, a perfume extract from the fragrance brand Versatile, also features a limoncello accord, this time combined with many other Italian flavors: pesto, garlic, oregano, and other emblematic Italian ingredients take center stage! An original and mouth watering fragrance!
• CK One Summer by Calvin Klein- A flanker to Calvin Klein’s timeless CK One, this eau de toilette for men and men gets off to a lively, sparkling start with the freshness of lemon and the complexity of mojito and limoncello accords. Fruity and floral heart notes prolong the freshness, while base notes of cedar and coconut reinforce the syrupy facets of limoncello.
• Y Eau Fraîche, Yves Saint Laurent’s eau de toilette for men, is a good example of this. This citrus fern perfume for men provides a fresh top note. This freshness of the perfume is extended by the green aromatic note of geranium at the hard. Cedarwood calms the freshness and rounds the fragrance.
Other examples include Hugo Boss’s iconic Boss Bottle with its vanilla freshness, the unmistakable men’s fragrance Paco Rabanne pour homme, and certain fragrances by the Jean Paul Gaultier maison.
As the limoncello note is not yet widespread on the perfume market, it is not in many eaux de parfum et eaux de toilette. However, there are perfumes containing lemon in which a note close to limoncello can be found. Most of these compositions are fragrances from the fern family.
On a different note, the citrus top notes of L’Eau d’Issey pour homme by Issey Miyake give the icy, syrupy effect of limoncello. However, this note is not explicitly stated in the fragrance, which leans towards being a fresh, ozonic and marine perfume instead.
At Bon Parfumeur, you will find several fragrances for men and women featuring citrus notes. This is particularly true of our cologne family, which has 4 exceptional fragrances that reinterpret the classic cologne with a variety of citrus notes.
• 001, an emblematic cologne revisited- At the top, sparks of citrusy notes. At the heart, petit grain with its aromatic and spicy notes that facet the orange blossom. A base of musky notes envelops and holds the volatile notes at the top.
• 002- A zesty, fresh top note that remains faithful to the classic cologne. The violet leaf adds a touch of modernity, bringing a green and slightly fruity facet. A floral heart where the gentleness of lily of the valley and peony lightens the sunny jasmine. Musk and white amber notes serve as a soft bed for the flowers.
• 003 - A green and sharp start given by the violet leaf and citrus. The top notes are directly contrasted by vetiver, grounding the fragrance. Elemi gives the heart a peppery and resinous aspect, lightened by the white flower.
• 004 - A zesty top with a trio of citrus fruits. An aromatic and spicy heart with a note of gin. Ginger and nutmeg gradually lead us towards the damp, woody, and earthy notes of tobacco and patchouli. Musk softens and lightens the severe notes at the base.
