The Perfect Limoncello Spritz Cocktail Recipe

In search of the perfect simple summer cocktail? Look no further than this limoncello spritz recipe. One sip, and you’ll be transported straight to the Amalfi Coast!

Move over, Aperol Spritz, it’s time to meet the ultimate summer treat with this refreshing cocktail: the Limoncello Spritz. 

As a quintessential bubbly cocktail, this drink takes the spirit of Southern Italy and summer holidays, capturing both in one simple recipe that is truly more than the sum of its parts. 

This drink is the perfect pour for a summer party, where the sound of laughter and the aroma of freshly sliced lemon floats through the warm breeze. Served in elegant wine glasses and adorned with lemon slices, each sip promises a burst of bright lemon flavour, making it the perfect cocktail for any occasion. 

Whether you're hosting a soirée or simply unwinding with a charcuterie board, this light drink is sure to strike the perfect balance between ease and flavour. With just a quick stir, you'll be transported to the Amalfi Coast, where every sip is a taste of la dolce vita. Crafted with good quality ingredients, it's equally enjoyable as a single drink or prepared in a big batch to share with friends. It’s like sipping on a glass of sunshine – refreshment and joy in every glass.

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian liqueur that is produced in the South of Italy. To make limoncello, lemon zest is soaked in a neutral spirit such as vodka, then mixed with simple syrup once the oils from the lemon have infused the spirit. Given the simplicity of creating this liqueur homemade limoncello is easy to make, as long as you have the patience to wait for the lemon to infuse the vodka (which can take about a week)!

If you’d rather buy limoncello than make it yourself, you can find it at most liquor stores including BWS and Dan Murphy’s. 

Limoncello Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz

The limoncello spritz is often compared to its more famous, orange-hued cousin, the Aperol Spritz. And while both drinks are spritzes, they differ greatly in their flavour profiles. The popular Aperol spritz is famous for more than its colour alone. Made from various botanicals, Aperol has a more herbal and less sweet taste when compared to limoncello. Because limoncello is sweeter, limoncello spritzes are likewise slightly sweeter than the Aperol variation. 

Another difference is that Aperoal spritz typically uses a ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts, Aperol and 1 part soda. For the limoncello spritz, this ratio varies slightly, as the alcohol content of the sweet Italian lemon liqueur is stronger than Aperol. Where Aperol has an 11% ABV, Limoncello is more like 25-30%. Therefore, a better ratio for limoncello spritz is 3 parts Prosecco, 1-1.5 parts Limoncello, and 1 part soda. 

In this recipe, we use 1.5 parts Limoncello to really allow the bright lemon flavour to sing, but if you like your drinks slightly less alcoholic, you can also get away with using only 1 part Limoncello. 

Making a Big Batch

Because the Limoncello Spritz is all about ratios, it’s the perfect summer cocktail to make in a large batch for your next special occasion. If you’re looking for a fun, simple cocktail for your next dinner party, it doesn’t get much easier than a pitcher of limoncello spritz, which can be poured into glasses for guests, with no bartending required. 

If you’re making a large batch, the easiest way is to measure based on one bottle of Prosecco. 

The ratios for a big batch (per 1 bottle), are below: 

• 375 mL Limoncello
• 750 mL (1 bottle) Prosecco
• 250 mL soda water

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