Limoncello Spritz (Italian Limoncello Cocktail Recipe)
Limoncello spritz is a fabulous cocktail! Try this limoncello based beverage which has only three ingredients, and enjoy a refreshing summer drink that will transport you to the south of Italy!
If you have yet to try a limoncello spritz, you are missing out!
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You may remember that I flew to Italy to attend a Scottish-Italian wedding for my friend (practically relative!) Nadia, in June of 2019. This is where I discovered the wonderful limoncello spritz, or as many know it, albeit incorrectly, the lemoncello spritz!
The Scottish-Italian wedding was held in Santa Maria di Castellabate, Italy.
This beautiful town on the Cilento coast is about two hours south of the Amalfi region (where lemons reign supreme) and everyone is ordering and enjoying limoncello or limoncello cocktails!
The evening before the wedding, there was a Kilts and Tiaras party at a local trattoria, which spilled onto the beach for photos. Did you spot the Aperol spritz in the background of the photo below? It’s another favorite cocktail, especially if I’m in Europe during the summer.
Honestly, you can’t imagine that you’d spot this many Scotsmen in kilts in Southern Italy; it was pretty hilarious especially with some of them drinking limoncello and spritzes!
Well, I was also taking photos of my limoncello spritz. I’d never had one before and I was immediately hooked!
How to Order a Limoncello Spritz in Italy
Are you going to Italy? Want to fit in and sound less like a tourist? As silly as it may sound to you, if you order a “lee-mohn-CHEH-LLaw spreetz” (say it just like that), you’ll be a star! Just know that lemon chello is not actually a term or word, so if you order a lemoncello spritz or cocktail in Italy, you just may get an, “Ooooh, un limoncello spreetz?”
My limoncello spritz was so light and refreshing! It’s the perfect summer cocktail, especially when you pair it with charcuterie or nibbles. Just be sure to use normal limoncello for this drink (you don’t want to use a creamy limoncello). However, note that you can make clear limoncello using my 24 hour limoncello recipe by switching the milk for water.
Limoncello lover? Try this limoncello cheesecake!
Is it Limoncello or Lemoncello?
Definitely, 100% LIMONCELLO! Lemoncello or lemon chello, is just a mispronunciation and misspelling by English speakers who are using the word, “lemon” instead of the Italian “limone”. So next time you say it, pronounce the “i” as “ee” and you’ll sound like a pro! It’s lee-mohn-CHEH-LLaw.
You can try this easy, no-bake limoncello tiramisu, too!
My Italian limoncello spritz was served with half a lemon slice, a cherry and ball of cantaloupe, and sprig of mint, but honestly, use whatever you have handy. As you can see, I used a piece of orange, strawberry and sprig of mint (with a whole lemon slice in the drink as my lemon was quite small). You can slide a lemon slice onto the edge of your glass, like this frozen lemon drop martini slush.
Or just garnish with half a lemon slice on the edge of the glass as I did on this lemon drop martini. And if you haven’t heard of a sgroppino, that’s another refreshing, lemony beverage that’s part dessert! It’s a wonderful treat for summer!
Last, but not least, you will want to know about a Hugo spritz, which is another cocktail you’ll see on menus across Italy. If you like elderflower flavor, this one’s for you!
But for now, let’s make a limoncello spritz!
Limoncello Spritz
(Italian Limoncello Cocktail Recipe)
recipe by Christina Conte makes 2 beverages
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Special equipment: two 12 or 14 ounce wine glasses (preferably tulip shaped).
Directions
Pour crushed ice into the glasses, about half full.
Add the limoncello liqueur.
Then pour in the Prosecco, and a splash of sparkling water.
Add a slice of lemon to each glass, and garnish as desired.
Cin cin! (Pronounced cheen-cheen!)
I recently bought a clear ice ball maker and just LOVE it! I crushed the clear ice to make these cocktails.
Limoncello Cocktail (Italian Limoncello Spritz Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 4 oz limoncello
- 12 oz Prosecco DOC or DOCG, preferably
- ½ oz sparkling water optional
- 2 slices lemon for garnish
- fruit and mint sprigs to garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Pour crushed ice into the glasses, about half full.
- Add the limoncello.
- Then pour in the prosecco, and if desired a splash of sparkling water.
- Add a slice of lemon to each glass, and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Special equipment: two 12 or 14 ounce wine glasses (preferably tulip shaped).
Nutrition
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Yet another cocktail you’ve offered that I must try! So far you’re 2 for 2. This one sounds so perfect for summer! ;-) ~Valentina
I’m guessing I’m going to be 3/3 after this one! Ha ha! :) Cin cin, Valentina!
I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but limoncello is often too strong for me after dinner. I do make it with Everclear, which does make it stronger, but I have a feeling that your spritz recipe is just what I needed to enjoy some of my limoncello this summer. I will pick up a bottle of Prosecco tomorrow at Trader Joe’s (they really have a good brand from Valdobiadine) and we will have these tomorrow evening before dinner.
I completely understand, David! I’ve had some doozy-strong limoncello! So glad you’re going to give it a try! Cin cin!
this sounds very refreshing!
It really is!
What a perfectly refreshing drink for the hot days ahead!
Absolutely! We should get together to enjoy some together! :)
This looks so refreshing! Perfect for this beautiful Spring day we are having!
Awesome, enjoy!
This is so pretty! I’m not a fan of limoncello straight out of the bottle. Even when I’m in Italy! I do love bubbled up and diluted with prosecco.
Limoncello can be very strong, so I understand. This is a great way to enjoy it instead so I hope you do like it!
Omg! I love limoncello, definitely going to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Oh yes! I think you’ll love it, Karen! Enjoy!
A bit late, but better late than never. Happy 4th of July to you and yours and I hope you are coping with all this heat and you are safe from the forest fires. Cheers, 🍷
Oh, it’s perfect timing, Ina! We’re just off to see fireworks! And yes, no fires nearby, thankfully! Thank you so much!!