An Italian cocktail with bubbles and citrus that takes less than 5 minutes to make. This Limoncello Spritz is a lemon Prosecco cocktail perfect for the warmer weather that any mixologist can craft up.
This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure policy.
I'll take an apertivo please!
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.
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.
Ingredients for a Limoncello Spritz
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.
Fresh Lemons - We will squeeze some extra citrus in and also use fresh lemons for garnish.
Mint - Simply for garnish as an eye-pleasing aesthetic.
Kitchen equipment & tools needed
To make a Limoncello Spritz, you will need a wine glass or cocktail glass, knife, cutting board, jigger, juicer, and a vegetable peeler.
How to make a Limoncello Spritz
- Pop that 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 is to be divided between the three cocktails.
- Cut the second lemon into slices and put 2 in each glass - make sure there are no seeds.
- Stir each drink and garnish with a lemon peel and fresh mint. Serve and enjoy!
A couple of tips:
Before putting the lemon peel in the drink, quickly line the rim of the glass with it and then use both of your hands to twist it over the drink (like the true bartender you are, queen) and then toss it in.
If you’re unsure how much liquid your serving glass hold, make this Limoncello Spritz in a pitcher and pour into serving glasses once you've combined all the ingredients.
Check out this post for more mixology tips and tricks too!
Spritz Life Hacks
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.
Limoncello Spritz 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.
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.
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.
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!?!
more cocktails to try
Strawberry Mint Sunshine Cocktail
Pineapple Jalapeño Moscow Mule
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 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 in each glass - make sure there are no seeds.
- Stir each drink and garnish with a lemon peel and fresh mint. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Limoncello Spritz calories and nutrition facts
1 serving: 100 grams Carbs | 0 gram Fat | 0 grams Protein
NOTE: this is counting the alcohol as strictly carbs - remember, if you are counting your macros & alcohol, this is a good reference: Macrostax | How To Calculate Alcohol for Macro Counting
TO COUNT YOUR ALCOHOL AS A CARBOHYDRATE: Use the total number of calories in a drink divided by 4 (Example: 5 ounces of Red Zinfandel = 132 calories 132 calories/4 = 33g Carbs. TO COUNT YOUR ALCOHOL AS A FAT: Use the total number of calories in a drink divided by 9 (Example: 5 ounces of Red Zinfandel = 132 calories 132 calories/9 = 15g Fat) TO COUNT YOUR ALCOHOL AS BOTH A CARBOHYDRATE AND A FAT: Use the a portion of the total number of calories in a drink divided by 4 Use the remainder of the total number of calories in a drink divided by 9. Example: 5 ounces of Red Zinfandel = 132 calories 66 calories/4 = 16.5g Carbs 66 calories/9 = 7g Fat
**Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
SHOP THIS POST!
Note: The links above will open in Amazon.com
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.
I have been obsessed with aperol spritzers all summer! This was such a fun twist on it! So pretty too!
Dare I say this: Limoncello Spritz > Aperol Spritz. IT IS LITERALLY SO GOOD. make this your go to drink!!