If you’re looking for a refreshing, bright, and utterly delightful cocktail to brighten your day or impress your guests, this Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe is an absolute must-try. With its sparkling lemony notes, this spritz offers the perfect balance of sweetness and zest, all thanks to homemade lemon oleo saccharum and the effervescent sparkle of lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco. It’s like sunshine in a glass, guaranteed to lift your spirits and keep you coming back for more!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient has a special role, whether it’s bringing brightness, texture, or that refreshing fizz that makes the drink so satisfying. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this sparkling sensation at home.
- Peel of 4-5 lemons: Be sure to avoid the white pith to keep bitterness at bay and maximize fresh citrus oils.
- 1 cup sugar (about 3 tablespoons per lemon): This sweetness transforms the lemon oils into an intensely flavorful syrup.
- 1 to 1.5 oz lemon oleo saccharum: The star syrup extracted from lemon peels and sugar, bursting with aromatic citrus essence.
- 1 cup lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco: Adds the all-important fizz and lightness to balance the sweetness.
- 1 oz lemon juice (optional): Adds an extra zing of fresh acidity to brighten the cocktail.
- Lemon slice or thyme sprig for garnish (optional): For an elegant, inviting finish that appeals to all the senses.
How to Make Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oleo Saccharum
The first and most important step in this Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe is making the oleo saccharum, a classic technique that captures the pure oils from lemon peels. Carefully peel your lemons, avoiding the bitter white pith, and combine the peels with sugar by weight. If you don’t have a scale, about 3 tablespoons of sugar per lemon does the trick. Stir gently to muddle and release those joyful citrus oils, then cover and let sit at room temperature overnight. Patience here leads to a syrup packed with concentrated lemon flavor, setting the stage for your cocktail’s bright personality.
Step 2: Strain the Oleo Saccharum
After the infusion has rested, it’s time to separate the fragrant liquid from the peels. Using a fine mesh strainer, press the mixture firmly with a spoon to extract every drop of the lemon-infused sugar syrup. This liquid gold is your lemon oleo saccharum, the sweet and aromatic base that makes the Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe truly shine.
Step 3: Assemble the Spritz
Grab a large wine glass and fill it generously with ice cubes. Pour 1 to 1.5 ounces of the lemon oleo saccharum over the ice, then top with 1 full cup of lemon sparkling water or your non-alcoholic Prosecco choice. Stir gently to combine all the effervescent flavors without losing the bubbles that make this drink so refreshing. This step perfectly balances the rich lemon syrup with sparkling freshness.
Step 4: Adjust Flavor
Now for a little personal touch—taste your spritz! If you want to dial up the brightness and acidity, add about 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice. It’s optional but highly recommended if you love that crisp, zesty edge on your tongue. This flexibility lets you tailor the cocktail exactly to your liking.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Finally, dress your Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe with a thin slice of lemon or a sprig of thyme, or both if you’re feeling fancy. This adds a beautiful contrast and a hint of herbal aroma that pairs wonderfully with the citrus burst. Serve immediately and bask in the refreshing glow of an expertly crafted spritz that tastes like summer in a glass.
How to Serve Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a garnish can elevate your Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe from delightful to next-level elegant. A lemon slice brightens the look and emphasizes citrus notes, while a sprig of thyme lends a subtle herbal aroma that contrasts wonderfully with the sweetness. Feel free to experiment with fresh mint or rosemary for seasonal variations, but keep it simple to let the spritz’s natural freshness shine.
Side Dishes
This spritz pairs incredibly well with light, Mediterranean-inspired bites. Think fresh mozzarella with cherry tomatoes, bruschetta topped with ripe basil, or even a plate of marinated olives and crunchy breadsticks. The bright, citrusy taste of the Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe cuts through richer flavors beautifully, making these pairings a perfect match.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is part of the fun! Serve your spritz in elegant flute glasses or oversized wine glasses with plenty of clear ice cubes that sparkle like gemstones. For a festive touch, rim your glass lightly with sugar or dip it in crushed lemon zest. Adding reusable, colorful cocktail stirrers or edible flowers makes for a stunning table centerpiece at any gathering or quiet evening at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover lemon oleo saccharum, store it in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh and flavorful for up to two weeks, making it easy to whip up a spritz anytime you need a quick burst of sunshine in your glass.
Freezing
Because the spritz relies on fresh carbonation, freezing the assembled drink isn’t recommended as it would lose its sparkle. However, the lemon oleo saccharum syrup freezes well in an airtight container or ice cube trays for up to a month. Simply thaw it slowly in the fridge when you’re ready to mix drinks.
Reheating
Since this is a cold, sparkling cocktail, reheating is not applicable. The Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe is best enjoyed fresh and chilled to preserve those lively bubbles and crisp flavors.
FAQs
What exactly is oleo saccharum?
Oleo saccharum is a traditional method of extracting essential oils from citrus peels by mixing them with sugar. As the sugar draws out the oils, it creates a sweet, intensely flavored syrup perfect for cocktails like the Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe.
Can I use regular sparkling water instead of lemon sparkling water?
Absolutely! Regular sparkling water works fine, but using lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco adds an extra layer of citrus brightness that complements the lemon oleo saccharum perfectly.
Is the lemon juice really necessary?
The lemon juice is optional but highly recommended. It adds a refreshing acidity that balances the sweetness of the syrup and enhances the overall brightness of the spritz.
Can I make this spritz with actual limoncello liqueur?
This Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe is focused on homemade lemon oleo saccharum, but substituting limoncello liqueur adds a lovely boozy twist. Just adjust the sweetness accordingly, as limoncello can be quite sugary.
How long does it take to make the lemon oleo saccharum?
You need to let the lemon peel and sugar mixture sit overnight—about 12 to 24 hours—at room temperature. This waiting period is essential to fully extract the vivid citrus oils that make the spritz so flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe is truly a celebration of bright, fresh citrus and sparkling effervescence. It’s a versatile and easy-to-make cocktail that feels both sophisticated and approachable. Whether you’re unwinding at home or hosting an intimate gathering, this spritz promises to refresh your palate and lift your mood. Give it a try and let those zesty, sunny flavors bring a bit of joy to your day!
Print
Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A refreshing Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz recipe that combines the bright, aromatic essence of homemade lemon oleo saccharum with sparkling lemonade or non-alcoholic Prosecco. This cocktail is lightly sweetened, citrusy, and perfect for warm days or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
For Lemon Oleo Saccharum
- Peel of 4–5 lemons, avoiding white pith
- 1 cup sugar (approximately 3 tablespoons per lemon, total 4.5 to 6 tablespoons)
For the Spritz
- 1 to 1.5 oz lemon oleo saccharum
- 1 cup lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice (optional)
- Lemon slice or thyme sprig for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oleo Saccharum: Wash and carefully peel the lemons, avoiding the bitter white pith to ensure a clean citrus flavor. Place the lemon peels into a jar and add an equal weight of sugar—if you don’t have scales, use about 3 tablespoons of sugar per lemon. Stir the mixture and gently muddle a few times to release the lemon oils, then cover the jar and leave it at room temperature overnight to infuse.
- Strain the Oleo Saccharum: The next day, strain the sugar and lemon peel mixture using a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or airtight container. Press down with a spoon to extract as much flavorful liquid as possible. This extracted liquid is your lemon oleo saccharum base for the spritz.
- Assemble the Spritz: Fill a large wine glass with ice cubes. Pour in 1 to 1.5 ounces of the prepared lemon oleo saccharum, then top it off with 1 cup of lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco. Stir gently to combine the flavors without losing carbonation.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste your spritz, and if you want extra brightness and acidity, add 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice. Stir gently to incorporate the juice into the cocktail.
- Garnish and Serve: Add a thin slice of lemon and/or a sprig of thyme as garnish for a visually appealing presentation and aromatic touch. Serve your refreshing limoncello spritz immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to avoid the white pith of the lemon peel as it can make the drink bitter.
- Overnight infusion for the oleo saccharum is essential to properly extract lemon oils and sweetness.
- This recipe uses non-alcoholic Prosecco or lemon sparkling water for a light, bubbly spritz; for an alcoholic variation, you might add a splash of vodka or traditional limoncello.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the sugar amount or adding more lemon juice according to taste.
- Oleo saccharum can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
