Limoncello Spritz: Zesty Italian Cocktail Recipe
Bring the Amalfi Coast to your garden with a bright limoncello spritz. This lemon-forward Italian liqueur becomes long and refreshing when topped with bubbly prosecco and a splash of sparkling soda water.
If that sounds familiar, you may already know the spritz family from its more bitter cousin, the Aperol Spritz. Both are excellent summer options; this version leans into pure citrus sweetness and effervescence. Which do you prefer?
I’m curating a small cocktail collection this summer—part inspiration board, part drink menu. I’ve been calling the series “Poolside: A Series in Spritzes,” even though my own backyard has no pool. Still, a shady corner of the garden, a chilled glass and a cold spritz make for perfect hot-weather living.
Spritzes are ideal for summer because they’re simple, refreshing and effortlessly drinkable. This limoncello spritz follows a classic 3:2:1 ratio — prosecco to limoncello to soda water — which keeps the drink lively while letting the lemon liqueur shine. It’s an easy formula to adapt: increase the limoncello for a sweeter, stronger drink, or add more soda for a lighter refresher.
Spritz ingredients
With only three liquids, each ingredient matters. First is limoncello: a bright Italian liqueur made by steeping lemon zest in alcohol, then sweetening the infusion. In Southern Italy it’s often served as a digestif, a concentrated shot of sunshine after a meal. In this spritz, limoncello is tamed by bubbles and turned into a cooling, long drink.
Quality matters here. Lower-end limoncellos can taste artificial, with an overly chemical aroma. A good bottle tastes like tangy, sugary lemon sherbet—zesty and clean. Also note: avoid crema di limoncello for this recipe. Because it contains milk or cream, it will curdle when mixed with sparkling wine.
Prosecco provides the fizz and the bulk of the drink. I recommend a brut prosecco rather than a sweeter style to balance the liqueur’s syrupy sweetness. The final component is soda water: a small splash stretches the cocktail into a light, easy sipper that is perfect for lingering afternoons.
For garnish, a lemon wheel is classic and visually appealing. If you want an extra aromatic note, add a sprig of thyme or rosemary for a subtle herbal lift that complements the citrus.
Recipe tips and notes
- Chill all ingredients thoroughly before assembling the drink so the spritz is icy without needing a lot of dilution.
- The recommended ratio is 3:2:1 (Prosecco:limoncello:soda water), but adjust to taste depending on how sweet or strong you prefer the cocktail.
- Be mindful of alcohol content: limoncello can be high in ABV, so increasing its proportion will raise both the sweetness and the strength of the drink.
Serving suggestions
Serve this spritz in a generous stemmed glass with a wide bowl to let the aromas open up. Add plenty of ice so the drink stays cold and dilute slowly. Garnish with a lemon slice or wheel, and if you like, a small sprig of an aromatic herb for contrast.
More summer cocktail recipes
- Smoky Mezcal Paloma
- Cherry Long Island Iced Tea
- Hugo Spritz
- Aperol Spritz
Limoncello Spritz
Ingredients
- 35 ml / 1½ oz limoncello
- 75 ml / 3 oz prosecco (brut recommended)
- 25 ml / 1 oz soda water
- lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a stemmed glass with plenty of ice. Add the limoncello, then the prosecco, and finish with the soda water. Stir gently to combine without losing too much fizz.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and serve immediately while cold and effervescent.
Notes
- Keep all ingredients chilled so the drink stays cold and refreshing without excessive dilution from melting ice.
- Adjust the 3:2:1 ratio to suit your taste. More limoncello will increase sweetness and alcohol; more soda will lighten the drink.