This Limoncello Spritz is a fun lemon twist on the popular Aperol Spritz we all know and love and it's incredibly easy to make. It's sweet, tart, and so refreshing. It also has added lemon juice to up the zesty lemon flavor even more! This cocktail is great on its own or with appetizers.
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What's a Spritz
A spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail made with prosecco, digestive bitters, and soda water.
It's most often served as an aperitif (before a meal) though I like serving this Limoncello one as a digestive. The most famous variation is an Aperol spritz. It's made in a 3:2:1 ratio of 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts of Aperol, and 1 part of soda water.
In this spritz, Aperol is substituted with Limoncello with the addition of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Why You'll Love This Spritz
A lemon twist on the classic - The bright flavor of limoncello and lemon juice go so well with prosecco and make the perfect spring or summer cocktail. The lemon flavor makes it super refreshing and light. Limoncello gives the drink a more lemon-zest flavor that lemon juice alone wouldn't achieve.
Easy and Simple - A spritz is one of the easiest cocktails you can make. There's no need for a cocktail shaker, everything gets mixed right in your glass and all you need are four simple ingredients.
Delicious all year long - While this lemon spritz is amazing for citrus season in the winter, it's also delicious and really refreshing in the summer. Nothing beats a lemony prosecco drink on a hot summer night!
Ingredients
- Limoncello - Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur mostly produced in Southern Italy. It's one of the most popular liqueurs in Italy and it's often served after dinner as a digestive. I like Rossi D'Asiago Limoncello but use what you have and like the most!
- Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always the best choice whenever possible.
- Prosecco - Italian dry prosecco is the best option for a spritz and it's more budget-friendly than Champagne. Choose "brut" or "extra-dry" Prosecco.
- Sparkling water - You can use plain sparkling mineral water or soda water. I like using unsweetened lemon-flavored seltzer when I have it on hand.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
- Fill a tall stem glass with ice. I like using a white or red wine glass.
- Add limoncello and lemon juice.
- Top it up with prosecco, and sparkling water.
- Briefly stir the drink with a cocktail spoon, garnish with lemon slices and fresh thyme if desired, and enjoy!
What to Serve it With
Finger food and small bites and snacks like chips or nuts are ideal to serve on the side of this spritz. The lemon flavor of this spritz will especially go well with any fish or seafood dishes.
- Anything with smoked salmon - Think crostini or any small bites with smoked salmon on top. Even this Mozzarella Bruschetta on its own would be amazing!
- Chips - Regular classic sea salt potato chips never disappoint!
- Sandwiches - If you want to serve this on the side of a bigger meal, this Shrimp Salad Sandwich or this Pesto Orzo with Lemon Garlic Shrimp would pair perfectly with the lemony flavor of this spritz!
- Charcuterie board - Any cheese or meat board always goes well with prosecco!
FAQs
Aperol has an alcohol content of 11%. Limoncello will vary depending on the brand but it's most often in the range of 20-30%
Limoncello can be enjoyed on its own with ice or chilled in a shot glass as a digestive. It has a higher alcohol content so drinking it straight can definitely get you drunk so enjoy with caution. Because of its digestive properties and the higher alcohol content, I like serving this spritz after a meal, unlike an Aperol spritz.
The higher the alcohol percentage of your limoncello, the longer it will stay fresh. You can store it in the fridge to always have it cool but it's not necessary. Unless under 20% alcohol, it will stay fresh for months and can be stored outside of the fridge in a cool dry place away from the sun.
I like Rossi D'Asiago Limoncello. It's infused with fresh Sicilian lemons and doesn't have any artificial flavors or colors. It has a 32% alcohol content which is higher than most but good if you won't drink it often like me and need to store it for longer.
More Prosecco Cocktails
Whether you're a fan of prosecco or champagne, the two cocktails below are a must-try! To see all the latest cocktails, head over to the cocktails category, it always has something new to try!
📖 Recipe
Limoncello Spritz
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Limoncello Spritz is a fun lemon twist on the popular Aperol Spritz we all know and love and it's incredibly easy to make. This cocktail is great on its own or with appetizers.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 oz limoncello
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 oz prosecco or other sparkling wine
- 1 oz sparkling water
- Garnish: lemon slices, fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a tall stem glass with ice. I like using a white or red wine glass.
- Add limoncello, lemon juice, prosecco, and sparkling water.
- Briefly stir the drink with a cocktail spoon, garnish with lemon slices and fresh thyme if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
The only thing I usually measure with this drink is the limoncello and lemon juice. I usually just eyeball the prosecco and sparkling water. It doesn’t have to be perfect, the rule is just a 3:2:1 ratio - 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts limoncello, and 1 part sparkling water.
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