Limoncello Spritz: How to make this refreshing cocktail at home

As far as anyone can tell, limoncello was first offered to local Italian residents at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s said that Maria Antonia Farace, an innkeeper on the Amalfi coast, grew lemon trees behind her bar. She used the lemons to create a homemade liqueur which she served to her guests.

 It’s believed that she allowed the local farmers to replicate her recipe. Originally, only farmers on the Amalfi coast were allowed to create limoncello. It quickly became a popular drink and today is considered the second favourite Italian liqueur. It still uses lemons from the southern coast. If you want to try limoncello liqueur we recommend you try the authentic version. You might also be interested in: Limoncello: How To Drink Italy’s Lemon Liqueur.

Unsurprisingly, as the years have passed, limoncello has been added and mixed with a variety of other drinks. One of the most popular is limoncello spritz. It’s an easy-to-make Italian cocktail that goes down well at virtually any occasion. It doesn’t matter if you call it the limoncello spritz or the limoncello spritz cocktail, you’ll find the limoncello spritz recipe easy to follow.

What is a Limoncello Spritz made of

Limoncello spritz is considered a summer cocktail. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy it throughout the year. If you’re wondering how to make limoncello spritz then you’ll be pleased to know the ingredient list is short. How to make limoncello spritz? You’ll want some limoncello, Prosecco, angousta bitter, and soda water. All of which can be easily found in Italy or your local Italian store. Make sure you choose authentic Italian limoncello. The Prosecco can be replaced with sparkling Italian wine, if necessary.

 Here’s the limoncello spritz recipe:

• One glass half filled with crushed ice
• Add limoncello, Prosecco, and club soda. You’ll want to make the proportions 2:3:1. Make sure it’s filled to the top!
• Garnish the edge of your glass with sugar
• Add a slice of lemon and a fresh mint leaf
  

The drink only needs to be stirred lightly, just enjoy it while it’s cold.
The limoncello spritz cocktail doesn’t have to be made in a glass. Multiply the quantities and you can make a pitcher. That’s perfect for parties, when you have friends over, or simply ensuring you don’t need to move from in front of the TV.

Tips To Really Enjoy Your Limoncello Cocktail

Once you’ve tried a limoncello spritz with Prosecco you’ll want to have it again and again. To ensure you enjoy this drink at its best we recommend the following:

• Chill your glass before making the drink

To chill your glasses properly you should put them on the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you want to use them. The additional coldness heightens the limoncello spritz with Prosecco flavours. 

• Use syrup if required

Limoncello is sweet but the Prosecco and club soda can cancel out that sweetness. If you need it to be a little sweeter add a few drops of syrup. Adjust that to suit your tastebuds.

• Switch out the soda

To mix it up a little more and play with the flavour try changing club soda for tonic water or soda water. It’s surprising how much difference it can make.

• Try different garnishes

Lemon and fresh mint garnish is not obligatory. Try a different herb and some blueberries, or perhaps raspberries. Experiment with different garnish options to see how they affect the flavour.

Summing Up

The limoncello spritz is one of the greatest cocktails ever made. Enjoy it as it was designed to be drunk and then enjoy experimenting to make your perfect spritz. It’s what the Italians do!