Name: Easy Limoncello Spritz Cocktail
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz chilled limoncello*; 2-4 cubes fresh ice (do not use crushed ice); seltzer or sparkling water**; 1 sprig mint for garnish (optional); 1 fresh lemon slice for garnish (optional)

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I love a good spritz cocktail. These drinks are light and refreshing and lower in alcohol than the average cocktail.

But this easy, three-ingredient limoncello spritz recipe is my all-time favorite summer spritz. A unique limoncello drink, in both color and flavor, it is the essence of summer in a glass.

Although a traditional spritz cocktail uses a combination of Prosecco and soda water or sparkling water for effervescence, this variation on a spritz simplifies things. I skip the sparkling wine to truly showcase the refreshingly sweet-tart flavor of limoncello. A summer cocktail recipe couldn’t be easier or more refreshing than this delicious drink!

TRY NEXT: The Vermut Spritz Cocktail

Table of Contents

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian liqueur, mainly produced in the boot-shaped nation’s south. This includes the region around the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. Although it is produced commercially, Limoncello is one of those drinks Italians often make at home for themselves.

How is Limoncello made?

The drink is made by soaking lemon peels in a neutral, grain alcohol. After this mixture steeps for a minimum of several days, it’s strained.

Then a simple syrup, (sugar melted in water), is slowly added.

For a homemade version, careful tasting is required at this stage to get the right ratio of sweetness to citrus. (And don’t forget, citrus is among our 10 Best Foods for Women.)

Although the exact origin of Limoncello isn’t known, according to Italy magazine, the tradition of making this sweet and tart liqueur is at least 100 years old.

There are claims that the drink’s origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages but there’s little evidence to support the claim. But we do know for sure, that the drink has been produced in southern Italy since at least the early 1900s.

Where to buy Limoncello

Limoncello can be found in most liquor stores and on Amazon.com

If you can’t find it at the liquor you can try your hand at a homemade version using vodka or grappa as the spirit. This citrus liqueur is most commonly served after dinner but this cocktail version is our go-to afternoon drink in summer.

How do you store Limoncello?

Limoncello can be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator or even in the freezer. It will never go “bad” but it will lose its lemon flavor over time.

Before mixing drinks with a dusty bottle of Limoncello pulled from the back of your liquor cabinet, give it a taste to make sure it still offers the tart, refreshing flavor of lemons. If it doesn’t, it’s time to buy a fresh bottle!

If you love limoncello and you’re planning on making this Limoncello spritzer recipe often, I recommend storing your Limoncello in the freezer so it’s ice cold and ready to go whenever the mood for a Limoncello drink strikes.

Tips for making this easy spritzer cocktail

A traditional limoncello spritzer is really just twist on the famous Italian cocktail, the Aperol spritz.

Try our recipe for a traditional Aperol spritz

But my version pares the recipe down further to make a clean and fresh-tasting limoncello and soda cocktail.

With the right ratio of sweet, syrupy lemon liqueur and the effervescence of club soda or sparkling water, this spritz cocktail is like the adult version of an icy glass of lemonade. As I mentioned, making this refreshing lemon spritz just takes 3 ingredients:

Chilled limoncello (You can store your limoncello in the freezer.)
Seltzer or sparkling water (You can substitute with club soda but do not use tonic water.)
Fresh ice cubes (Be sure your ice is freshly made. Because it’s poured over ice, the only thing that can ruin this blissfully simple drink is the flavor of stale ice. Also, this drink is best with ice cubes, not crushed ice.)

You can also add a garnish or two to give your drink a bit of flare. I like to garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and/or fresh lemon slices.

You don’t need any special equipment to make this simple limoncello and soda. No cocktail shaker or Martini glasses for this one! You simply add limoncello to a rocks glass over ice and top with the seltzer. There’s no need to even stir!

You really can’t get more simple or more refreshing. It might be the perfect summer drink.

When to serve this summer cocktail

This easy cocktail recipe is a great choice for a small get-together. But it’s also a nice recipe for a stress-free romantic evening. And because it’s a relatively low-alcohol cocktail, it’s a good choice for day drinking.

Occasions that call for a limoncello spritzer include: