Easy Lemon Spritzer Recipe for a Perfect Summer Drink

Our Amalfi holiday comes back in flashes of deliciousness. One such memory is a cocktail made of Prosecco and Limoncello. The Lemon Spritzer recipe below is for 4 persons. I like to add a bit more Prosecco to tone down the Limoncello, but you decide!

“Spritzer is derived from the variant of the German language spoken in Austria, where the drink is very popular. A “sweet spritzer” using fizzy lemonade instead of soda water is also popular.(Sauergespritzter). In most of Germany, the word “Schorle” is used to denote a Spritzer.”

So with this recipe you will have the best of both worlds. I love Prosecco, so to me it reminds me of Italy. However if you are from Germany you can try the more traditional version.

Traditional Limoncello Spritz in Italy

Core ingredients: Limoncello, Prosecco, and soda water, served over ice.
Typical garnish: Lemon slice, mint, or sometimes basil.
Style: Simple, refreshing, and elegant—especially popular in southern Italy, including the Amalfi Coast, where limoncello originates.

This cocktail is often enjoyed as part of aperitivo culture—light, pre-dinner drinks meant to stimulate the appetite.

Modern Variations

Berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries): These are not part of the traditional recipe. Instead, they appear in modern, international twists like raspberry limoncello spritz or berry-infused versions.
Purpose: These additions are often aesthetic, designed for visual appeal and flavor experimentation—perfect for social media or upscale cocktail menus

If you’re sipping a Limoncello Spritz in a seaside café in Italy, it’s likely to be minimalist and citrus-forward. But if you’re at a trendy bar in New York, Sydney, or Budapest, expect a few berries dancing in your glass.

Types of Glassware for Lemon Spritzers

Perfect for gifting or summer parties

While there’s no single “official” lemon spritzer glass, here are popular styles that suit the drink beautifully:

Stemless wine glass

Casual, modern, and perfect for showcasing lemon slices and ice.

Highball wine glass

Tall and slim—great for fizzy drinks with soda water and prosecco.

Libbey can glass

Trendy and Instagram-friendly, often decorated with lemon motifs

DIY Lemon Spritzer: A Simple and Tasty Beverage Recipe

Servings: 4 Persons TIME: 5 mins COURSE: Cocktails CUISINE: Italian

Ingredients

120 ml soda
250 ml Prosecco
200 ml Limoncello
4 raspberries

How to make it...

Prepare 4 glasses filled with ice.
In a large jug, gently stir everything together.
Pour into your cocktail glasses and garnish with a raspberry.

Sauergespritzter: The German Twist on a Lemon Spritzer

Germans do a “lemon spritzer” without the lemon—because their version is all about wine and bubbles, not citrus. It’s a refreshing, low-alcohol drink perfect for summer afternoons in a beer garden or vineyard. If you want lemon in Germany, you’d ask for something like a Zitronenschorle (lemon soda + sparkling water) or a Limonade.

What Germans Mean by “Spritzer”

“Gespritzter” just means something “spritzed” or diluted—usually with sparkling water.
A Sauergespritzter is dry white wine + sparkling mineral water (no lemon involved).
The “sauer” (sour) part refers to the unsweetened nature of the drink—not citrus flavor.