This limoncello spritz recipe is easy to make with prosecco, limoncello, and club soda. This bright, bubbly Italian cocktail is my ideal summer drink!
This limoncello spritz recipe is one of my favorite drinks to sip on a hot summer day. Bright, fizzy, and refreshing, this Italian cocktail is a simple combination of three ingredients—limoncello, prosecco, and club soda.
I first tasted limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur, on the island of Capri, just after Jack and I got engaged. The sweet, citrusy liqueur seemed to magically appear at our table after dinner every night. I (obviously) love lemon, so I thought it was the perfect way to end each meal, dining al fresco on a summer night in Italy.
It wasn’t long before my love for limoncello turned into a love for a limoncello spritz. Unlike an Aperol spritz, which has bitter notes, a limoncello spritz is sweet and lemony. I ordered one as a pre-dinner drink countless times on that Italy trip…and then came home and learned how to make one myself. Luckily, it couldn’t be easier. Get ready to make this simple cocktail all summer long!
What is limoncello?
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur made by steeping lemon zest in vodka or ethanol, which causes the lemon peel to release its flavorful oils. The infused alcohol is then mixed with simple syrup to create the sweet liqueur. It’s largely produced in Southern Italian regions like the Amalfi Coast and Sicily.
In Italy, limoncello is often enjoyed as a digestivo after meals, which is how I first had it in Capri. It’s always served chilled, in small cups or shot glasses. It’s delicious in cocktails like this limoncello spritz too!
Limoncello Spritz Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this limoncello spritz cocktail:
- Limoncello, of course! I personally like the Caravella brand, but any Italian limoncello will work nicely here.
- Prosecco – Prosecco is a sparkling wine that hails from Northern Italy. It’s a foundational ingredient in other Italian spritzes like the Aperol spritz and Hugo spritz. Look for one labeled, “brut,” which will be the least sweet. In a pinch, cava is a good substitute.
- Club soda or sparkling water – It balances the cocktail and makes it nice and fizzy.
I like to garnish my cocktail with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves. Other fresh herbs, like basil or a sprig of thyme, would also be delicious. Use what you have on hand!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Limoncello Spritz
Like a classic Aperol spritz, a traditional limoncello spritz uses a 3-2-1 ratio of ingredients: 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts limoncello, and 1 part club soda. Here’s how to make one:
- Fill a wine glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the prosecco, followed by the limoncello and club soda. Gently stir to combine.
- Add your desired garnishes, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Taste and adjust. Even though I call for a classic ratio here, it’s perfectly acceptable to adjust this cocktail to your liking. Add more limoncello for a sweeter, stronger lemon flavor. Or add more prosecco if the limoncello is too sweet. Keep in mind that the ice will dilute the drink as it melts.
- Make it just before serving. This isn’t a cocktail I recommend batching and making ahead of time. A great limoncello spritz is nice and fizzy. Pour the prosecco and club soda just before serving so that they’re as bubbly as possible.
More Italian Cocktails to Try
If you love this limoncello spritz, try one of these Italian cocktail recipes next:
Limoncello Spritz
Ingredients
- Ice
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- 2 ounces limoncello
- 1 ounce club soda
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
- Lemon wheels, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Pour in the Prosecco, followed by the limoncello and club soda. Stir gently, then garnish with mint and lemon wheels and serve.
