This Boozy Fruit Salad combines cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and pineapple all soaked in Limoncello and garnished with fresh herbs for a delicious Limoncello fruit salad.
I’m 98% sure this fruit salad was sent straight from the gods.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. It came from a friend, who is amazing and wonderful and clever enough to add booze to her fruit salad.
I’m not really sure how to classify or categorize this recipe by region like I normally do, but it is so wonderfully delicious I’d simply never forgive myself if I didn’t share it with you.
However, since it has Limoncello in it, let’s just call it Italian. For the sake of argument. Just go with it.
So this wonderful concoction is made up of cantaloupe + blueberries + strawberries + kiwi + pineapple, then soaked in Limoncello and garnished with fresh herbs. I went with mint this time, but basil is completely killer in the summertime.
One thing I HATE in regular fruit salad is under-ripe fruit and big chunks of it. Okay, that’s two things.
But seriously people, let your fruit ripen and cut it into SMALL pieces. That way there’s a better booze-to-fruit ratio anyway.
Here’s a few tips for cutting up the fruit:
- Cut it up really small. I know I already said this (twice) but I swear it’s important.
- If you have trouble cutting up the kiwi, check out this link: How to Peel & Cut Kiwi
- Set out two big bowls before you get going; one is for the cut-up fruit pieces for the fruit salad, and one is for scraps (melon rind, strawberry hulls, kiwi peel, etc.). Trust me, this will make your life a lot easier.
You are absolutely more than welcome to substitute out fruits so you can use what you can find at your grocery store. Blackberries are a great substitute for blueberries, honeydew works well in place of cantaloupe, and mango is just delicious in everything.
Go crazy! But don’t add banana. It just gets mushy and gross and discolored. Nooooo thank you.
I always get so many compliments when I bring this boozy fruit salad to parties, showers, brunches, and luncheons.
Just make sure to warn parents about the limoncello in the recipe – they may not want their kids to eat it.
Okay, ready for the super-duper simple recipe card?
Best Ever Boozy Fruit Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small cantaloupe melon - peeled and diced small
- 1 lb. strawberries - sliced
- 1 pint blueberries
- 2 cups diced fresh pineapple
- 3 kiwi - peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
- 1/4 c. Limoncello liqueur
- 4 Tbsp. minced fresh mint or basil
Instructions
- Combine the fruit in a large bowl. Pour in the Limoncello and toss with a wooden spoon to coat the fruit pieces. Let sit at least fifteen minutes to soak up the booze. Fold in the fresh herbs just before serving.
Nutrition
Enjoy Responsibly. This post and recipe are intended for those of legal drinking age.
Ohhh I’m gonna make this for my party on Saturday! If I put the booze on it let’s say 4 hours before serving, is that bad? Should I wait until I get there before adding the booze?
Hi Jackie,
Marinating the fruit in Limoncello for a longer period, like 4 hours, will give the fruit more time to absorb the flavor and alcohol from the Limoncello. However, you should also consider the type of fruit you’re using and how it might react to the alcohol. For instance, more delicate fruits will become mushy if they are soaked in alcohol for too long.
I suggest letting the fruit soak in Limoncello for at least fifteen minutes, which would be sufficient time for the fruit to take on some of the Limoncello flavor.
If you’re concerned about the fruit becoming too soaked or losing its texture, you could wait until closer to serving time to add the Limoncello, like 30 minutes before serving.
Remember to keep the fruit salad refrigerated if you’re not going to serve it immediately, especially in warmer weather. This will help keep the fruit fresh and tasty.
I do one with honey, lime, mint & Grand Marnier that’s awesome, but I can’t wait to try the limoncello!! I don’t care for melons, other than watermelon but that doesn’t seem a good substitute. What would you substitute the melon with?
Hi Sally, if you don’t like cantaloupe, then use honey dew melon, but if you don’t like those either, then I would use watermelon. – Linda
I just made lemon and orange cello. I’ll have to try this. I usually make a mango margarita for my fruit salad.
What a novel idea! I honestly would never have thought to turn a fruit salad into something more in a such a way. Thanks for the post. Now all I have to do is see if anyone is up for trying something new~
Thanks, Efrain!! I’m so glad you like it 🙂
What a great way to use Limoncello and your photos look really awesome!
Thank you, Bill! I’m headed over to your site to check it out right now 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!