This classic limoncello spritz recipe celebrates the lemon-forward flavor of a timeless Italian liqueur with the balance of bubbly prosecco and soda water! It’s made using the classic spritz “3-2-1 ratio” of ingredients, meaning there are 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts limoncello, and 1 part soda water.
In 2010 I went on a trip around Southern Italy to explore my familial roots. That’s where I had my first sip of the bright lemon flavor of limoncello. Since then, I’ve been a fan of the sweet and sour lemony drink from the world-famous Amalfi Coast of Italy! I even make it (and a blood orange orangecello) myself at home! It’s sort of like a lemonhead candy, in liquid, boozy form.
This cocktail is sweeter than a classic bitter Venetian-style spritz (aka the classic Aperol spritz), but still has more edge to it than a Northern-Italian-style floral spritz (aka the Hugo spritz). For even extra zing in this recipe, you can make your own homemade Italian lemon soda using this easy lemon sugar syrup recipe, too!
Limoncello spritzes are the perfect drink for a hot summer day, like a summer BBQ or lounging by the pool. Looking for an appetizer to serve with your spritz? 👀 Try a selection of light appetizers like these easy baked sourdough crostini paired with a burrata caprese salad with balsamic glaze or these fresh marinated mozzarella balls!
why this limoncello recipe works:
🍋 zesty & refreshing. This cocktail is perfect for sunny days! Spring and summer are known for being prime spritz cocktail seasons, because warm weather calls for refreshing cocktails!
🍾 bubbly & fun. Prosecco is here to play in this bubbly cocktail. This is the perfect drink for happy hour, parties, or a fun brunch!
⏱️ quick & easy. This is such a simple cocktail, you don’t even need a cocktail shaker. Just layer the ingredients in your cocktail glasses, and you are good to go!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
1: Garnish your glassware by layering in slices of lemon against the inside of the glass, then fill each glass with ice.
2: Pour limoncello into each glass.
3: Add soda water into each glass. For extra lemon flavor, use sparkling Italian lemonade!
4: Top each glass off with well-chilled prosecco.
5: Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint.
6: Serve immediately!
💡tips & tricks
ℹ️ how to get perfect limoncello spritzes
This is an easy cocktail recipe, but things can go wrong! The biggest mistake I see people making with spritz cocktails is not chilling the ingredients and glassware beforehand.
- keep it cool – since this drink isn’t shaken in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, it’s important to use cold ingredients for the best flavor. Pop your limoncello in the freezer for a quick chill, and make sure your prosecco is properly chilled to the ideal temperature of 40º – 45º. If in doubt, you can pop your prosecco into a bucket of ice!
- chill your glassware – if you have the time (and freezer space), place your glassware into the freezer for up to 30 minutes before serving these spritzes. Alternatively, you can fill each glass with ice cubes and let it sit for up to 15 minutes to chill. You’ll want to dump excess water out of each glass before mixing to avoid a watered-down drink!
🍽️ how to serve your spritzes
- summer holidays – this is the perfect summer cocktail to serve at events like summer BBQs, pool parties, or even the Fourth of July.
- al fresco meal – the lemon flavor of this light drink also pairs very well with classic Italian fare, such as pesto pasta dishes, summery caprese salads, and light antipasti platters!
- extra garnish – want to make your glassware even sweeter? Garnish half the rim with this homemade citrus sugar to play up the sweet-tart flavor of limoncello!
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♻️ customize your cocktails
- sparkling wine or champagne – if you don’t have prosecco, you can still make this cocktail by using sparkling wine or even champagne.
- orange, or another citrus – swap out the lemon sparkling water for orange sparkling water, or another citrus flavor, like a blood orange spritz or an italian grapefruit soda.
- frozen – combine your limoncello with some ice in a blender to make a frosty version of this classic cocktail.
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 can you store a spritz?
While you can make this drink ahead of time, you will lose some effervescence from the sparkling water and prosecco if you prepare it too far in advance. For this reason, this drink is best served shortly after mixing.
If you want to make a pitcher of limoncello spritz ahead of time, store it in a bottle or airtight container that can keep your bubbles safely preserved. At its maximum, this cocktail can keep for 24 hours, but it might go flat, so beware! 🫧
💬 q+a
What is limoncello?
Limoncello is a liqueur made from lemon zest, sugar, and alcohol. It is largely found in the Amalfi region of Italy, or southern or coastal regions where lemons are grown. You can make it yourself at home, or you can buy it at your local liquor store.
Where can I buy limoncello?
Most domestic liquor stores have limoncello in their “cordials” or “liqueur” section of the store. You can also make your own limoncello at home.
Do I need prosecco for this cocktail?
Traditionally, this beverage is made with prosecco. It is an Italian cocktail, by the way! If you can’t find prosecco or you don’t have it, you can use another sparkling wine to make it.
What kind of glass is a limoncello spritz served in?
Spritz cocktails are usually served in a wine glass, filled with ice. You can use whatever glasses you have on hand, though!
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Easy Limoncello Spritz (Classic Italian Lemon Cocktail)
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Equipment
- 1 measuring beaker or cocktail jigger
- 1 small cutting board and paring knife for slicing lemon garnishes
- 1 straw
Ingredients
- 1 ounce sparkling water or club soda
- 2 ounces limoncello
- 3 ounces prosecco
Instructions
- Chill your glass. Fill a wine glasses with ice.
- Add limoncello. Pour 1 ounce of limoncello into the glass.2 ounces limoncello
- Layer in soda water. Next, pour in 2 ounces of soda water into the wine glass.1 ounce sparkling water
- Top with prosecco. Top the glass with 3 ounces of prosecco.3 ounces prosecco
- Garnish & serve. Garnish the glass with a slice of lemon and fresh sprig of mint and serve immediately.
Notes
Tips & tricks for getting it right:
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- layer to perfection – layer the drinks in this order: soda water, limoncello, then prosecco. Layering in this way ensures the soda water mixes in with the limoncello (without stirring!), and gives you a fun prosecco “floater.”
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- keep it cool – Pop your limoncello in the freezer for a quick chill, and make sure your prosecco is properly chilled to the ideal temperature of 40º – 45ºF.
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- chill your glassware – place your glassware into the freezer for up to 30 minutes before serving these spritzes. Alternatively, you can fill each glass with ice and let it sit for up to 15 minutes to chill. You’ll want to dump excess water out of each glass before mixing to avoid a watered-down drink!
Variations:
- boost the lemon – Use a citrus soda, like homemade Italian limonata, to add even more lemon flavor!
- blood orange – use a blood orange liqueur instead of limoncello for a seasonal variation.
