Limecello Gin 2026: Four Ways to Drink the Festival Exclusive
Limoncello, but with lime. And a gin.
Limecello is back for its third year, made once a year with our mates at Crafted Festival, who turn ten this year. It's the one with actual Mr Kipling's Lemon Bakewell Pie distilled into the batch: lime peel, lime juice, native lemon myrtle and juniper up front, and that soft, slightly pastry finish that has people squinting at the label to check we're serious. We are.
It's pouring at the distillery door now, poured live at Crafted Festival, Kurrawa Park on Saturday 12 September, and online right here. Last year's batch sold out in three weeks, so we thought we'd better show you exactly what to do with a bottle while you can still get one.
The gin hasn't changed. The drinks have. If you were with us last year you'll remember the hard lemonade pour and the Mojito jug; both still work, but the 2026 line-up is better. Four ways, easiest first.
Batch No. 3, 37.5%, 500ml, $95, recipe card in every box. Sold out in three weeks last year. Once it's gone, it's gone for another year.
Shop Limecello Gin Get Crafted Festival TicketsThe Recipes
Sip: The Simple Pour
Last year it was hard lemonade. This year it went and got fancy. Lime on lime, with yuzu doing the interesting bit.
You'll need- 30ml Limecello Gin
- Fever-Tree Lime & Yuzu soda, to top
- A dehydrated lime wheel
Method: Fill a glass with ice and add 30ml Limecello Gin. Top with the soda and drop the lime wheel on. That's it. That's the pour.
Our Limecello shines brightest when you keep it simple and let the zesty lime do the talking. Missing the hard lemonade? Switch the soda for lemonade and add fresh lime.
0.9 standard drinks
Shake: Smashing into Spring
The cocktail of the release weekend, built by Porshia and Rachel behind our Gold Coast bar. Strawberries, mint and crushed ice. Spring in a short glass.
You'll need- 45ml Limecello Gin
- 20ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml sugar syrup, recipe below
- 3 fresh strawberries
- 5 mint leaves
- Fresh strawberry and a lime wedge, to garnish
- Muddle the strawberries in the bottom of a shaker.
- Add everything else with ice and shake until properly cold.
- Double strain into a short glass and top with crushed ice.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry and a lime wedge.
The strawberries and mint lift the lime rather than fighting it, and the crushed ice keeps it long enough to enjoy slowly. It won't be, but it could be.
1.3 standard drinks
Shake: The Crafted Margarita
The hero of the festival. This is what's flowing on tap at our Cloud 9 bar at Crafted on the 12th, and it did over 500 serves there last year. If you can't make it to Kurrawa Park, here's the home version.
You'll need- 60ml Limecello Gin
- 45ml fresh lime juice
- 20ml agave
- Salt, for the rim
- A lime wedge, to garnish
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a tumbler, then dip the rim in salt.
- Shake the gin, lime juice and agave hard with ice for 10 to 15 seconds, until the shaker hurts to hold.
- Strain into the tumbler over fresh ice.
- Garnish with the lime wedge and serve immediately.
Lime in the gin, lime in the glass, salt on the rim. Enjoy that refreshing citrus kick.
1.8 standard drinks
Share: Tropic Like It's Hot
A mango and hot honey jug for four. Sweet, sour, a little spicy at the end, and gone faster than you planned. Last year's Mojito jug can have a rest.
You'll need- 180ml Limecello Gin
- 80ml fresh lime juice
- 80ml mango puree
- 60ml hot honey
- Soda water, to top
- Mango chunks and lime wheels, to garnish
- Add everything except the soda water to a jug and fill it with ice.
- Stir well to bring the honey together.
- Drop in the mango chunks and lime wheels.
- Top with soda water, one more mix, and pour for the table.
The mango leans into the tropical side of the lime, and the hot honey leaves a gentle warmth at the end of each glass that keeps everyone coming back. It's the easiest of the four to put in front of a table and watch disappear.
Serves four. Approx. 5.3 standard drinks in the jug, about 1.3 per glass.
Make Ahead: Simple Sugar Syrup
The only prep in the whole line-up, and it's behind Smashing into Spring. Make it once, it keeps.
You'll need- 500g white sugar
- 500ml water
- Add the sugar and water to a pot.
- Bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Remove off the heat and leave to cool completely.
- Strain and bottle.
Makes around 800ml. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
Limecello Gin 2026 is our annual Crafted Festival exclusive. Lime peel, lime juice, native lemon myrtle, juniper and a cheeky dose of Mr Kipling's Lemon Bakewell Pie, distilled in for a light, pastry-like finish. Batch No. 3, 37.5%, 500ml, $95, with the recipe card, coasters and a gift card in every box. It sold out in three weeks last year, and lime season doesn't last forever.
Shop Limecello Gin Get Crafted Festival TicketsSip, Shake and Share. Find us at the festival, we'll be the loud ones.