Summer is ending so let’s end it right with a Limoncello Spritz! I always hate the end of summer because number 1, it always goes by WAY to fast and number 2 well, let’s double number 1!! Summer has always been my favorite season- the vibes, the food, the cocktails. It is just a free and relaxing time that deserves to be months and month and months!!
This Limoncello Spritz will take you back to summer even during the darkest of fall and winter night! So, let’s hop into one of my last cocktails of summer 2023 before fall cocktails begin!
What are summer cocktails?
Summer cocktails make me think of lighter flavors and easy sippin’! Summer cocktails are refreshing and often fruity or citrusy drinks that are perfect for hot weather. They typically use seasonal ingredients and are designed to cool you down and quench your thirst. Here are some popular summer cocktails:
Here are some of the classics!
- Margarita: Made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, a margarita is a classic summer cocktail. It can be served on the rocks or blended with ice for a frozen version.
- Piña Colada: This tropical cocktail features rum, coconut cream or coconut milk, and pineapple juice. It’s often blended with ice to create a creamy, sweet, and refreshing drink.
- Mojito: A mojito consists of white rum, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, and soda water. It’s a light and crisp cocktail with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Daiquiri: This cocktail is a simple mix of rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. It’s usually served in a chilled martini or rocks glass and is perfect for a hot summer day.
- Sangria: Sangria is a fruity wine punch often made with red or white wine, fresh fruit, brandy, and sweeteners. It’s a great choice for sharing with friends at summer gatherings.
- Paloma: Made with tequila, grapefruit soda (like Jarritos or Squirt), and a squeeze of lime juice, the Paloma is a light and citrusy cocktail that’s incredibly refreshing.
- Aperol Spritz: This Italian aperitif cocktail combines Aperol (an orange-flavored liqueur), Prosecco (or other sparkling wine), and soda water. It’s low in alcohol and very refreshing.
- Gin and Tonic: A classic choice, the gin and tonic combines gin with tonic water and is often garnished with a slice of lime or other citrus fruits. It’s simple but effective at quenching thirst.
- Blue Lagoon: Made with blue curaçao, vodka, and lemonade, this cocktail has a vibrant blue color and a tangy, citrusy flavor that’s perfect for summer.
- Tequila Sunrise: Combining tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup, the Tequila Sunrise has a stunning gradient of colors, resembling a sunrise. It’s a sweet and fruity drink.
- Limoncello Spritz– Just gonna add this to the list because it is delicious and tastes like summer!
What is Limoncello?
Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that is well-known for its refreshing and citrusy flavor. It is typically made from lemon zest, alcohol, water, and sugar. The process of making limoncello involves steeping lemon peels in alcohol to extract the citrus oils and flavors. Limoncello tastes exactly like melted lemon candies and let me tell you, it is sugary, sour, and oh so delicious!! Perfect for this Limoncello Spritz!
Here’s a brief overview of the traditional limoncello-making process:
- Lemon peels are carefully peeled from fresh lemons, avoiding the white pith as it can make the liqueur bitter.
- The lemon peels are then steeped in pure alcohol (often a high-proof grain alcohol) for several days to several weeks. This allows the alcohol to absorb the lemon oils and flavors.
- After the steeping process, a simple syrup made from water and sugar is added to the alcohol mixture. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
- The mixture is then left to rest for a little while longer, allowing the flavors to meld and the liqueur to mature.
- Finally, the limoncello is strained and bottled for consumption. It is often served chilled as a digestif or a refreshing after-dinner drink.
If making Limoncello isn’t your thing, you can certainly just buy it (which is what we did hehe). Here is the one that we purchased! Either would be great for this Limoncello Spritz!
What is Prosecco Exactly?
Prosecco is a popular Italian sparkling wine. It is made primarily from the Glera grape variety, although other grape varieties can be used in small quantities. Prosecco is produced mainly in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy, although its popularity has led to the production of Prosecco-style wines in other parts of the world.
Prosecco is known for its light, crisp, and fruity flavors. It is typically less expensive than Champagne, another well-known sparkling wine, making it a popular choice for celebrations and casual occasions. Prosecco is often enjoyed on its own as an aperitif, but it can also be used as a base for cocktails like the Bellini and Mimosa, or in our Limoncello Spritz!
There are two main types of Prosecco:
- Prosecco Spumante: This is the most common type and is fully sparkling. It has a fine and persistent effervescence, similar to Champagne.
- Prosecco Frizzante: This is a semi-sparkling Prosecco with a lighter, gentler fizz. It’s typically lower in pressure than Prosecco Spumante and is often sealed with a cork and wire cage similar to Champagne.
Prosecco has gained popularity worldwide and is often enjoyed for its approachable and refreshing qualities. It’s important to note that true Prosecco can only come from specific regions in Italy and must adhere to certain production standards to be called Prosecco, much like Champagne in France. This is the one we chose for our Limoncello Spritz!
The Limoncello Spritz
Combine both of those flavors of Limoncello and Prosecco to start off this summer cocktail! We chose to smoke this cocktail with Rosemary Smoke Dust because it brings out the herb flavors in the cocktail for this Limoncello Spritz! You could also smoke it with Lemon Peel which would really amp up the lemon flavors!
Limoncello Spritz
Equipment
- 1 Smokeshow Cocktail Smoker
- 1 Butane Torch
- 1 Bar Spoon
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 2 oz Limoncello
- Soda Water to Top
Garnish & Smoke
- 1 pinch Rosemary Smoke Dust
- 1 lemon slice
Instructions
Cocktail
- Pour all Prosecco and Limoncello into a glass and stir!
Garnish & Smoke
- Add smoke dust to your smoker and smoke!
- Add soda water to top!
