Limoncello Spritz

Bright, bubbly, and refreshing, this Limoncello Spritz is the perfect citrusy cocktail for sunny afternoons or warm summer evenings. Sweet Italian limoncello is combined with crisp prosecco and sparkling water for a light, refreshing drink. Garnish it with fresh lemon slices and mint.

If you’re looking for more thirst-quenching summer cocktail recipes, you have come to the right place. Have an abundance of garden mint? Use it to garnish your Limoncello Spritz. This fresh green herb is also perfect for making Blueberry Mojito or Mint Julep cocktails! 

Limoncello Spritz

One sip of this refreshing spritz cocktail and you’re sitting seaside on the Amalfi coast. Tangy and tart, Italian limoncello tastes like sunshine and lemon while bubbly club soda and prosecco tickle your tongue. It’s bold, it’s bright and it’s sure to become your new favourite summer sipper.

If you love the classic Aperol Spritz Italian cocktail, you’re going to love this equally refreshing Limoncello Spritz cocktail. This vibrant, neon-yellow alternative swaps out the herbal bite of Aperol for pure, liquid sunshine.

This Limoncello Spritz is bright, bubbly, and deeply refreshing. It strikes a perfect balance between the rich, aromatic sweetness of lemon zest liqueur and the crisp effervescence of prosecco and soda water.

It’s the ultimate effortless aperitivo—perfect for lazy summer afternoons when you want something that tastes like a vacation in a glass.

What is Limoncello?

The backbone of this Limoncello Spritz recipe is the intense lemon flavor of the Italian lemon liqueur. Limoncello is made by steeping lemon peels (traditionally thick-skinned Sorrento or Amalfi lemons) in high-proof alcohol and mixing it with simple syrup.

The essential oils from the lemon peels get trapped in the alcohol and produce a bright, floral, and deeply fragrant citrus punch. Any bitterness is balanced out by the addition of sugar or simple syrup. Note: you will not need to add any simple syrup to this cocktail recipe as Limoncello is already quite sweet.

Finally, the fiery finish from the high ABV base (typically around 28% to 32%) is somewhat tempered by serving spritz cocktails with plenty of ice, a splash of prosecco, and soda water.

PS. Any liqueur could be enjoyed as a spritz cocktail but Aperol, Campari, limoncello, Amaro, St. Germain, and Hugo Spritz’s are the most used liqueurs.

Ingredients for Limoncello Spritz

This cocktail recipe makes two Limoncello Spritz cocktails. To make it you will need two large wine glasses, a jigger or measuring glass, a cocktail spoon, and plenty of ice. Always chill the glasses with ice and prepare garnishes BEFORE you make the cocktail.

• Limoncello
• Prosecco
• Club Soda or Sparkling Water
• Ice
• Lemon Slices, fresh mint, edible flowers for garnish

If you don’t like limoncello you can use other liqueurs in this drink instead. I highly recommend you search out authentic Italian limoncello for best flavour results. You won’t need high quality prosecco, use one that fits your budget and taste preference.

Feel free to use either club soda or sparkling water for this cocktail. I do not recommend using tonic water.

How to Make Limoncello Spritz

For any chilled cocktail, start with filling two wine glasses about halfway with ice. This chills the glass and ensures your cocktail stays cool.

Divide the limoncello evenly between the glasses (2 oz per glass) then carefully pour 3 oz of prosecco into each glass.

Top each drink with a splash of club soda or sparkling water for a light, refreshing finish. Gently stir once to combine.

Garnish with a lemon slice and a few fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use well-chilled prosecco and Italian limoncello for the best flavour and a refreshing, crisp drink.
• Add the prosecco slowly to preserve the bubbles and keep the drink light and sparkling.
• Adjust the flavour by adding slightly more sparkling water if you prefer a lighter cocktail.
• For extra citrus aroma, rub the lemon slice gently along the rim of the glass before adding it to the drink.
• You can easily make for a crowd by multiplying the recipe and making in a pitcher.

Make Ahead and Storage

This drink is best served immediately after mixing so the bubbles stay fresh and lively. If preparing for a small gathering, you can pre-measure the limoncello and keep it chilled, then simply add prosecco and sparkling water when ready to serve.

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill, the heart and soul behind Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

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