Basil Limoncello Spritz | Elise Tries To Cook (2024)

Citrusy limoncello with bubbly sweet prosecco, topped with club soda and paired with muddled basil. Light, herbaceous and refreshing. This Limoncello Spritz is the perfect simple Summer co*cktail!

This limoncello spritz recipe, also known as an Amalfi Spritz, is perfect for the Spring and Summer. It is a light, citrusy, bubbly and tart co*cktail that can be used in an apertivo or digestivo.

You will particularly enjoy this drink if you go for the sweeter, lighter co*cktails and spritzes. A spritz is probably my favorite co*cktail! I have one for every season: Winter Aperol Spritz or Sparkling Rosé Aperol Spritz. This limoncello spritzer is perfect for Spring or Summer!

Highlights of this Recipe

This recipe is:

• Easy
• Refreshing
• Light
• Herbaceous
• Crowd-pleaser

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is a traditional Italian liqueur made from lemon peels. Typically limoncello is used as an aperitif - an alcoholic drink that is best served as an apertivo (prior to eating) or a digestivo (after eating) to help digestion.

It is made by steeping lemon peels in vodka until the oil is released (taking a few months). This results in an alcohol that tastes sweet but tart, citrusy and light. It is very strong in lemon flavor. (For a homemade limoncello recipe, check out a recipe here)

What is a Limoncello Spritz?

A limoncello spritz is the lemony version of the traditional Aperol Spritz. The Limoncello Spritz swaps the Aperol for the limoncello. This limoncello spritz recipe keeps the other two ingredients - prosecco and club soda.

A limoncello spritz is also known as an Amalfi Spritz, because of where limoncello liqueur originates in Southern Italy.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Limoncello.
• Prosecco. Substitute for Cava, Sparkling Wine or Champagne.
• Club Soda. Substitute for sparkling mineral water or soda water.
• Fresh Basil. Substitute for mint or thyme.

TIP! Adding basil to this limoncello co*cktail elevates the herbaceous elements of the recipe.

Step-By-Step Instructions

STEP ONE: Muddle fresh basil leaves.

STEP TWO: Add ice.

STEP THREE: Add limoncello and prosecco.

STEP FOUR: Add club soda.

STEP FIVE: Garnish with a fresh basil leaf and lemon slice.

Make a Pitcher

To make a pitcher of this limoncello spritz, simply multiply the recipe by 6.

Equipment Needed

Muddler:

• Budget Friendly: Use the bottom of a clean cooking spoon!
• Convenience Friendly: Buy a small muddler in either wood or steel.

Highball glass or large wine glass.

Variations

Want to make a variation of this Limoncello Spritz?

• Add fruit like berries (strawberries, raspberries or blackberries).
• Additional herbs like fresh mint or lavendar.
• Add a splash of elderflower liqueur, Campari or Aperol.

Tips, Tricks & Frequently Asked Questions

Other Bubbly or Limoncello co*cktails

• Holiday Elderflower Prosecco co*cktail
• Pink 75
• Sparkling Rosé Aperol Spritz

Food that Goes with a Limoncello Spritz

I suggest lemon-forward or lighter, herbaceous dishes to pair with this limoncello co*cktail. Try some of the below!

• Kale Fennel Dried Fig Salad with Lemon Chive Dressing
• Spring Vegetarian Pasta with Butter Sauce

📖 Recipe

More co*cktails