Name: Limoncello Spritz
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Cocktails
Ingredients: 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) limoncello, chilled if possible; 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled; 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) soda water; Ice (try clear ice!); For the garnish: mint, lemon rounds

Want a bubbly citrus cocktail? Try the limoncello spritz! This sparkling drink has a pure lemon flavor from this Italian liqueur.

Here’s an Italian cocktail that’s bubbly and flavored with pure lemon: the Limoncello Spritz! Limoncello is a liqueur that’s often sipped for after-dinner shots, but this ultra strong lemon elixir shines in mixed drinks, too. There’s the limoncello mojito and limoncello martini, and now it masquerades in a spritz! This spin on the popular Aperol spritz is full of bright lemon flavor and even better than the original, we think. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with a searing citrus bite.

What is a spritz?

The spritz is a drink invented in Italy in the 1800’s as a way to water down sparkling wine. It’s a carefully crafted style of cocktail that infuses bubbles from both sparkling wine and soda water.

You can make a spritz of any type using these two ingredients and any mixer of your choosing. The basic spritz ratio is 3 parts sparkling wine, 2 parts liqueur, 1 part soda water.

Ingredients in a limoncello spritz

The limoncello spritz is a spin on the popular Aperol spritz, an Italian aperitif. While the spritz concept has been around for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the 1950’s that the Aperol spritz took the form it has today. The limoncello spritz just substitutes limoncello for Aperol, an Italian amaro. Here’s what you need to make a limoncello spritz:

Limoncello
Sparkling wine, like Prosecco or champagne
Soda water (not tonic water)

How to make a limoncello spritz

The great think about a limoncello spritz is that’s incredibly easy to make! The spritz requires no cocktail shaker or juicing of citrus: you can build it right in the glass. This makes it a great choice for entertaining, especially in the summer. Here are the basic steps for how to make a limoncello spritz:

Stir: Stir the limoncello in a glass with ice to make it cold.
Top with bubbles: Add the Prosecco and soda water.
Garnish: Add the fresh mint and serve.

All about limoncello!

If you’ve ever visited Italy, you know limoncello. But what actually is it this ultra strong yellow liquid?

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur made by infusing lemon peels into vodka or other neutral spirits. It’s got a searing, straightforward lemon flavor and is the second most popular liqueur in Italy after Campari. You can get it everywhere in Italy, and it’s often served as shots after a big meal.
How much does limoncello cost? Limoncello has become very popular in the US, so you should be able to find it easily at your local liquor store. It costs about $20.
What can limoncello be used for? The most popular use for limoncello is drinking it as shots, but it’s equally as good in cocktails! Try it in a Limoncello Mojito with lime and rum, or a Limoncello Martini with vodka and lemon juice.

Step it up: try clear ice!

Want to take your limoncello spritz to the next level? Try making clear ice! This type of ice is crystal clear and looks like what you’d get at a fancy bar. But you can make it at home! All you need is a cooler and 24 hours. Go to How to Make Clear Ice.

More spritz recipes

The spritz is one of the most refreshing cocktails of all time! There are lots of different styles of spritz recipes to try after you try this limoncello spritz:

Try the famous and undeniably delicious Aperol Spritz, aka Spritz Veneziano
Go for a refreshingly floral St Germain Spritz
Try the Hugo, an Italian elderflower spritz with Prosecco and mint
Sip the caramel-flavored Amaro Spritz
Try the bitter and bubbly Campari Spritz

Aperol Spritz

Hugo Cocktail

Amaro Spritz

Campari Spritz