Limoncello Spritz Recipe

 

The limoncello spritz has quietly become the spritz of summer. It's bright, it's bubbly, and it tastes like sunshine on the Amalfi Coast even if you're sipping it on your back porch in Nebraska.

The best part? You can make one in under two minutes. No cocktail shaker required. No bartending degree necessary.

Classic Limoncello Spritz Recipe

This follows the golden 3:2:1 ratio that works for most spritzes.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz limoncello
• 1 oz club soda
• Lemon wheel for garnish
• Fresh mint sprig (optional)
• Ice

How to make it:

Fill a wine glass halfway with ice. Pour in the Prosecco, then the limoncello, then top with club soda. Give it a gentle stir. Drop in a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.

That's it. You're done.

A few notes:

Keep your limoncello in the freezer and your Prosecco in the fridge. Starting with cold ingredients means your ice won't melt as fast and your drink won't get watered down. If you find it too sweet, add a touch more soda. Too tart? Cut back on the soda and let the Prosecco do more of the work.

Limoncello Spritz with Jo's Orange Fennel

The classic is perfect for a reason. But sometimes you want to take a familiar drink somewhere new.

Jo's Orange Fennel is a botanical tonic syrup built on orange and lemon with layers of fennel, anise, cinnamon, coriander, and cardamom. When you add it to a limoncello spritz, you get something that still feels like summer but with more depth. The fennel and anise play beautifully with the bright lemon. The warm spices give it just enough complexity to make people ask what you put in there.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 1.5 oz limoncello
• 0.5 oz Jo's Orange Fennel tonic syrup
• 1 oz club soda
• Orange wheel for garnish
• Fresh thyme sprig (optional)
• Ice

How to make it:

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the Prosecco, limoncello, and Jo's Orange Fennel. Top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with an orange wheel and a sprig of thyme.

The Jo's version leans a little more sophisticated. It's the limoncello spritz you serve when you want to show off just a bit.

This is the concentrate approach to cocktails. A little syrup adds complexity without requiring a bar full of ingredients.

Tips for the Perfect Limoncello Spritz

What glass should you use?

A large wine glass is traditional. The wide bowl lets the aromatics breathe and gives you room for ice and garnish. But honestly, use what you have. A highball glass works fine. A rocks glass works too. The drink doesn't care.

What kind of Prosecco?

Don't overthink this. A dry Prosecco labeled "Brut" or "Extra Brut" will give you a less sweet drink. If you like it sweeter, reach for an "Extra Dry" (which is actually sweeter than Brut, because Italian wine labeling is fun like that). Spend $12 to $18 on a bottle you'd be happy drinking on its own.

When to serve it?

The limoncello spritz is an aperitivo. Before dinner, before the grill gets going, before your guests arrive and things get chaotic. It's light enough that it won't slow anyone down and interesting enough that it feels like an occasion. For more hosting ideas, see our dinner party themes guide.

Non-Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz

Can you make this without alcohol? Absolutely. And it's just as refreshing.

Non-alcoholic version:

• 2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1.5 oz simple syrup
• 4 oz sparkling water
• Lemon wheel and mint for garnish

This won't taste exactly like limoncello because limoncello gets its depth from alcohol extraction, but you'll get that bright, lemony, bubbly experience. If you want to get closer to the real thing, add a drop of lemon extract.

For more alcohol-free options, see our easy mocktail recipes.

More Spritzes to Try

If you love the limoncello spritz, you'll probably love these too:

Hugo Spritz: Elderflower and mint create something light and floral.

St-Germain Spritz: Similar to the Hugo but without the mint. Pure elderflower elegance.

Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz: The bittersweet classic, with or without alcohol.

All spritzes follow the same basic structure, so once you master one, you can make them all.

FAQ

What is limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur made by steeping lemon zest in neutral alcohol, then sweetening it with simple syrup. It originated along the Amalfi Coast and is traditionally served ice-cold as a digestivo after dinner. In a spritz, it becomes the star of the show.

What's the difference between limoncello and limoncino?

Limoncello is clear and bright. Limoncino (or crema di limoncello) is creamy, made with milk or cream. For a spritz, you want the clear stuff. Creamy limoncello will curdle when mixed with prosecco, and nobody wants that.

Can I batch limoncello spritz for a party?

For a party, you can mix the limoncello and Prosecco in a pitcher and keep it chilled. Add the club soda and ice to individual glasses right before serving. If you add the soda too early, you'll lose the fizz.

How strong is a limoncello spritz?

Not very. With the classic 3:2:1 ratio, you're looking at about 8% to 10% ABV, depending on your limoncello. It's lighter than a glass of wine, which is why it works so well before dinner.

What food pairs with a limoncello spritz?

Anything you'd eat on an Italian vacation. Light appetizers, cured meats, fresh mozzarella, bruschetta, grilled seafood. It's also great alongside a cheese board or just a bowl of good olives.

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Explore more: Tonic, Spritz & Botanical Drinks | Hugo Spritz | St-Germain Spritz | What Is Tonic Syrup?