Limoncello Spritz
The cool refreshing taste of a warm Italian summer evening. A Sorrento version of the Venetian classic Aperol Spritz, the Limoncello Spritz is a perfect addition to pre dinner drinks with an antipasto platter or lazing by the pool.
A delight when mixed with high quality chilled Prosecco and Argento Limone Citrus Garnish.
This Southern twist on a northern classic is genteel and fresh enough to be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Ingredients
The secret to a fabulous Limoncello Spritz is to ensure your ingredients are high quality. Traditionally, Italians opt for a '“Brut” Prosecco so that the spritz is not too sweet. This is because generally a spritz is an “aperitivo”, (pre-dinner drink) which are usually dry in taste and often fizzy. They are designed to stimulate the appetite and cleanse the palate for a meal to follow. They are light and refreshing, and are often paired with antipasti of olives, cheeses, cured meats and savoury crostini or biscuits.
We like to use a cold climate Italian Prosecco. We also enjoy using an Australian organic Prosecco, See Saw Balance from the Orange region of NSW. It is light and fresh and a great match for our Argento Limone Liimoncello.
Soda water can be easily sourced, however we find that cheap versions will often lose their fizz very quickly, and that’s no fun at all! If you don’t have soda water, or you like a stronger flavour, just leave it out and add more prosecco..
3oz/90ml Good quality Prosecco
1oz/30ml Good quality Soda water
Ice
Method
Traditionally Spritz’s are served in a large wine glass, or full bellied glass. This is best mixed directly in the glass and can be gently stirred in situ, or left alone if you like to have ‘layers’ in your drink.
Add a few large pieces of ice. (if its a hot day, you may like to chill the glassware first, we don’t, mostly because we never really plan the lets have a drink thing..it just happens! But I also detest the wet glass feeling…)
Add the garnish now, or you can add it last if you prefer it on top, as you like. The citrus garnish will add a great subtly zest to the flavour.
Measure and pour the Argento Limone Limoncello over the ice.
Measure and pour the Prosecco
…and the same with the soda water if you're adding it.
If you like, you can use a long spoon or a cocktail bar spoon to gently stir and mix….relax and enjoy
Once you make this a few times, you probably wont need to measure anymore. A good Italian ‘dash and slug’ method is very effective and you will get to learn your own preferred taste and make your own version. Every Italian family we have spent time with have their own ways of doing things. Our very own Limoncello recipe was entrusted to us, and then developed and refined by us and is a little different to most commercial brands.
“come vuole” :)
Let us know how you go…
