A southern Italy cocktail with bubbles, italian liqueur, and citrus that takes less than 5 minutes to make. This Limoncello Spritz Cocktail is a lemon Prosecco cocktail perfect for a hot summer day that any mixologist can craft up. It's made with simple ingredients and if you enjoy a classic aperol spritz, you'll love this!
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About this Cocktail
There’s something about a simple cocktail that is truly an art. Let’s take an Aperol Spritz, for example. Just Aperol, champagne, and some soda water. No mixology skills required.
But dare I say, this Limoncello Spritz is even BETTER than an Aperol Spritz. I didn’t think I could ever speak those words but this cocktail is SO refreshing. It transports me to the Amalfi coast and is just the perfect drink!
The citrus with the bubbles in this Limoncello Spritz make it a sparkling masterpiece. A spritz is considered an Apertivo in Italy, or in other words a pre-dinner drink. With this Limoncello Spritz recipe, I think an Apertivo may begin to be a regular occurrence.
Looking for more easy cocktails? Also be sure to check out this Sparkling Peach Sangria, Skinny Lemonade Mojito, Blueberry Vodka Lemonade, or these Green Tea Shots which I know you'll love, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Prosecco - A sparkling white wine, that is so light and refreshing. It's often compared to a champagne, but made from specifically Glera grapes whereas champagne can be a variety of different grapes.
- Sparkling Water - This gives the spritz some extra bubbles. I like to use a flavored sparkling water and just so conveniently, La Croix has a Limoncello variety.
- Limoncello - An Italian lemon liqueur often served as an after dinner drink said to help as digestive support. It's made by combining alcohol that has been infused with lemon peels with a simple water and sugar syrup.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Pop that bottle of Prosecco, friend! Then divide it between 3 large ice filled wine glasses (~8oz of bubbly each). Hosting a party? Make a big batch and serve a pitcher of limoncello spritz.
2. Then, pour Limoncello into each glass; ~2.5oz of limoncello per cocktail, more or less to your liking. Juice one lemon into a small cup or bowl. Divide juice evenly between each cocktail. Lastly, top each spritz with the sparkling water. One can is to be divided between the three cocktails.
3. Cut the second lemon into slices and put 2 lemon slices in each glass - make sure there are no seeds. Stir each drink and garnish with a lemon peel and fresh sprig of mint. Serve and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Keep it chilled but not diluted. Yes, Prosecco does freeze and you can make Prosecco ice cubes! Simply pour Prosecco into an ice cube tray and let them freeze for 6 hours.
- Keep your bubbly, well, bubbly! If you have an unfinished, open a bottle of bubbly (whether it's champagne or Prosecco) and don’t finish it, put a metal spoon in the bottle (handle side down) and store in the refrigerator. When you go to pour it again, the bubbles will still be there. You’re welcome.
- If you’re unsure how much liquid your serving glass hold, make this Limoncello Spritz in a large pitcher and pour into serving glasses once you've combined all the ingredients.
Check out this post for more mixology tips and tricks too!
Recipe FAQs
I love a GOOD spritz. I’m sure you’ve had a bad one before; they’re not hard to come by. The key is to keep it high-concentrate with Prosecco and liquor. It becomes just "eh" when it's diluted with club soda. An alternative to bubbly is a sparkling wine.
Limoncello is an Italian liquor typically taken as a shot after dinner. It’s said to promote digestion after a big meal, but I say let’s have it before dinner as an Apertivo cocktail with this Limoncello Spritz. Not all liquor stores will have limoncello, so you can always make homemade limoncello in a pinch.
Traditionally, spritzes are considered Apertivos or “pre-dinner drinks”. This cocktail is also fabulous at brunch, sipped by the pool, or at a happy hour. This cocktail is also fabulous at brunch, for a summer party, or at a happy hour. It's a light drink that is my go-to refreshing summer cocktail.
We want a limoncello spritzer to taste like lemons (duh). A slice of lemon or squirt of lemon juice is a excellent way to add a refreshing twist. However, I'd stay way from lemon zest or a finely grated fresh herb as it will float around, making it an undesirable texture to drink.
I’m just going to leave this right here; but I straight up finished all three of these when I was photographing them. If you know me, a spritz or a spicy margarita are my drink of choice (with a loaded bloody mary right up there). And let me tell you, they are freaking phenomenal. I think limoncello spritz > aperol spritz. OMG DID SHE SAY THAT!?!
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Recipe
Limoncello Spritz (A Lemon Prosecco Cocktail)
Equipment
- wine glass
- Jigger
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Juicer
- Jigger
- Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Prosecco
- 1 can Limoncello La Croix, or another lemon sparkling water
- 6-8 oz Limoncello
- 2 lemons
- mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Pop that bottle of Prosecco, friend! Then divide it between 3 large wine glasses (~8oz of bubbly each).
- Then, pour Limoncello into each glass; ~2.5oz of limoncello per cocktail, more or less to your liking.
- Juice one lemon into a small cup or bowl. Divide juice evenly between each cocktail.
- Lastly, top each spritz with the sparkling water. One can of sparkling water is to be divided between the three cocktails.
- Cut the second lemon into slices and put 2 lemon slices in each glass - make sure there are no seeds.
- Stir each drink and garnish with a lemon peel and fresh sprig of mint. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find LIMONCELLO SPRITZ calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Sydney Van Acker says
A trip to Italy when I was younger, I was scarred of limoncello. IDK I just could not get behind it and felt forced to have it at every meal. This spritz has CHANGED MY MIND. Subtle limoncello flavor but enough to give the cocktail amazing flavor.
Ashley St Armand says
I have been obsessed with aperol spritzers all summer! This was such a fun twist on it! So pretty too!
Courtney Paige says
Dare I say this: Limoncello Spritz > Aperol Spritz. IT IS LITERALLY SO GOOD. make this your go to drink!!
Claire Shea says
These are so good! Such a light refreshing drink- the limoncello lacroix is such a great addition to this drink!