Limoncello is a sweet Italian lemon liqueur, traditionally served ice-cold in small glasses after dinner. Romancello is a lemon apéritif: made with IGP Menton lemons from the French Riviera, bottled at 22% ABV, with less sugar and a herbal backbone of olive leaf, gentian, thyme and sea salt. It's designed for before dinner — over ice, in a two-ingredient spritz, or in a Negroni.
They look alike in the glass and they share a hero ingredient. But limoncello and Romancello are built for different moments — one to end a meal, the other to open it.
| Romancello | Limoncello | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Lemon apéritif (apéritif au citron) | Lemon liqueur |
| When | Before dinner — aperitivo hour | After dinner — a digestif |
| Strength | 22% ABV | Typically around 25–32% ABV |
| Sweetness | Lower in sugar, drier finish | Sweet and syrupy |
| Lemons | Citron de Menton IGP, French Riviera | Usually southern Italian lemons, e.g. Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast |
| Botanicals | Lemon zest, olive leaf, gentian, thyme, sea salt | Usually lemon zest, alcohol and sugar |
| How to serve | Over ice, with soda, or in cocktails | Neat, straight from the freezer |
| Made in | England, at a fully sustainable distillery | Traditionally southern Italy |
What is limoncello?
Limoncello is a lemon liqueur from southern Italy, most closely associated with Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. The method is simple: lemon zest is steeped in neutral alcohol until the oils are drawn out, then blended with sugar syrup. The result is bright yellow, intensely lemony and distinctly sweet.
It's traditionally a digestif — poured ice-cold into small glasses at the end of a meal. It's also easy to make at home — which is exactly how Romancello began.
What is Romancello?
Romancello started as a homemade limoncello. Our founder, Roman, brought bags of Menton lemons back to London from his family's garden in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and made limoncello the old-fashioned way for friends — who named it after him.
When it came to making it properly, the brief changed: drier, more natural, less sugary, more herbal. Something light enough to sip long before dinner and complex enough to mix. The result is an apéritif rather than a liqueur — 22% ABV, built on the Citron de Menton IGP, France's only lemon with EU Protected Geographical Indication status, and balanced with olive leaf, gentian, thyme and a pinch of sea salt. It won Bronze at the London Spirits Competition 2025.
Limoncello ends the meal. Romancello opens it.
Why the lemon matters
Menton lemons are rounder than a typical lemon, with thick, fragrant skin rich in essential oils and a sweeter, less acidic juice. Because the zest carries so much aroma, Romancello doesn't need a lot of sugar to taste of lemon — which is what lets it stay dry and fresh. More about Menton lemons →
Which one should you choose?
If you want something sweet and cold to sip after dinner, a good limoncello is hard to beat. If you want a lemon drink for the aperitivo hour — something you can lengthen with soda, drink over ice, or use in place of gin or Aperol in a classic — that's what Romancello was made for.
The easiest place to start is the two-ingredient spritz: 50ml Romancello and 50ml soda water over ice, with a lemon wheel. Get the recipe →
Common questions
Is Romancello a limoncello?
No. It began as a homemade limoncello, but Romancello is a lemon apéritif: lower in sugar, 22% ABV, and made with herbal botanicals to be drunk before dinner rather than after.
Is Romancello sweeter than limoncello?
No — it's drier. Romancello has less sugar than a traditional limoncello, with a fresh, herbal finish from olive leaf, gentian and thyme.
Can I use Romancello instead of limoncello in a spritz?
Yes. Romancello makes a limoncello-style spritz with just soda water — no prosecco needed. Because it's drier, the result is lighter and less sweet than a classic limoncello spritz.
Where can I buy Romancello?
Romancello is available in 70cl bottles on Amazon UK, and served at London restaurants including Josephine Bouchon Marylebone, Mister Nice Mayfair and Lita Marylebone.
Taste the difference
Apéritif Au Citron. Made with IGP Menton lemons. Available now on Amazon UK.
Order on Amazon