Limoncello Spritz Bright Drink (Print Version)

A bright, citrusy sparkling drink bursting with lemon flavor and light vanilla notes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mock Limoncello

01 - 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup water
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For the Spritz

06 - 1 cup chilled sparkling water
07 - 1/2 cup chilled non-alcoholic sparkling wine or extra sparkling water
08 - Ice cubes
09 - 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
10 - Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar, water, and lemon zest. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and allow to cool completely. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove zest particles.
02 - Fill two large wine glasses halfway with ice cubes, ensuring adequate chilling surface for the beverage.
03 - Pour 3 tablespoons of the cooled mock limoncello syrup into each prepared glass.
04 - Add 1/2 cup sparkling water and 1/4 cup non-alcoholic sparkling wine to each glass, or substitute additional sparkling water for alcohol-free preference.
05 - Stir gently to combine all components without excessive agitation to preserve carbonation.
06 - Top each beverage with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately while chilled and effervescent.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's ready in five minutes, which means you can be sipping something elegant before your guests even arrive.
  • The mock limoncello syrup doubles as a secret weapon for lemonade, ice cream, or even drizzling over cake.
  • It feels fancy and Italian-inspired, but honestly requires almost no skill, just fresh lemons and good timing.
02 -
  • The syrup must cool completely before you add it to the sparkling water, otherwise the heat kills the fizz and you end up with a flat, disappointing drink.
  • Resist the urge to make this ahead of time and store it mixed, because the ice will melt and everything turns watered down and sad by the time you need it.
03 -
  • Make a double or triple batch of the syrup and keep it in a glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you can pour spritzers on demand whenever the mood strikes.
  • If you're serving a crowd, pre-fill glasses with ice and syrup, then let people add their own sparkling water and garnish so everyone gets exactly what they want.
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