This refreshing and bubbly limoncello spritz combines the fresh and sweet Italian lemon flavor of limoncello with the sparkling wonderfulness of prosecco!
This is the perfect cocktail recipe for when you want a light, effervescent, and sweet lemon refresher!
Why you will love this recipe:
This is the perfect cocktail when you want an alternative to the other famous Italian spritz, the beautifully orange Aperol Spritz, and if you love lemon!
This recipe has the perfect balance of sparkling wine to liqueur and has just a splash of sparkling water to ensure it is totally refreshing.
This is also the perfect cocktail for you if you are a devoted fan of lemon-flavored cocktails and treats. I am a huge lemon person, especially ones with Italian flavors and influences; just check out these lemon, rosemary, and thyme cupcakes!
What is limoncello?
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur that is produced in southern Italy, specifically around the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. It's made from the zest of Sorrento Lemons (which, if you've ever been to the Amalfi Coast, you have seen how huge and gorgeous these lemons are), highly concentrated ethanol or vodka, and a bit of sugar. And fun fact, it's the second most popular in Italy, right behind Campari.
Key Ingredients:
Limoncello: use a high-quality limoncello, or if you have the time and are crafty, you can make your own. The flavor of the liqueur really comes through, so using a tasty liqueur is key!
Processo or sparkling wine: the limoncello is mellowed by the chilled wine, making it a really refreshing cocktail. Use any sparkling wine you like, but I always use prosecco to keep with this spritz Italian roots.
Sparkling water or club soda: I prefer sparkling water to soda and think it works especially well in this recipe, but feel free to use it if you like club soda.
Garnishes: I garnish with fresh lemon slices and thyme, but fresh mint is also a wonderful choice.
How to make this recipe:
A spritz is so easy to make and requires minimal equipment; you just need a wine glass and a cocktail stirrer.
- Add ice to a large wine glass.
- Pour in 1 ounce limoncello.
- Add in 6 ounces prosecco.
- Followed by 1 ounce of sparkling water.
- Add your garnishes and enjoy!
Tips for success:
- Chill your liqueur in the freezer
- Have your wine chilled and ready
- Use small ice; I find that large block ice isn't as good as crushed ice in spritzes.
- Use a large wine glass with enough room to accommodate the ingredients, ice, and garnishes.
You can make your own limoncello!
You can make your own limoncello at home with local lemons! The Kitchn has a great article on how to make it, but you just need lemons, vodka, and sugar!
FAQ's:
Limoncello is an aperitif, aperitivo, or digestive and can be sipped by the ounce before or after meals, or mixed into cocktails for a treat!
Limoncello tastes like sweet lemon candy, and when combined with sparkling wine, it tastes like a refreshing lemon wine!
Looking for more cocktail recpies?! Check these out!
Refreshing Limoncello Spritz
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: mixed
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This refreshing and bubbly limoncello spritz combines the fresh and sweet Italian lemon flavor from limoncello with the sparkling wonderfulness of prosecco!
Ingredients
- 1 oz limoncello
- 1 oz sparkling water
- 6 oz prosecco
Instructions
- Add ice to a large wine glass.
- Pour in the limoncello.
- Add in the prosecco.
- Followed by the sparkling water.
- Add your garnishes and enjoy!
Notes
- Chill your liqueur in the freezer
- Have your wine chilled and ready
- Use small ice; I find that large block ice isn't as good as crushed ice in spritzes.
- Use a large wine glass with enough room to accommodate the ingredients, ice, and garnishes.
Absolutely love limoncello and this had the perfect balance! So refreshing!
★★★★★