I’m excited to share a bright Limoncello Cocktails creation combining fresh lime juice, Limoncello, and sparkling wine that’s tailor-made for spring and summer.

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I stumbled onto this Sparkling Limoncello Cooler on a too-hot afternoon and I can’t stop thinking about it. I love how Limoncello meets bubbles from Prosecco and the whole thing feels unexpectedly sharp and playful, like it knows a secret you want to learn.

It wakes up your mouth without trying too hard, and every sip makes me want to test different glasses and garnishes just to see what changes. I always file it under Limoncello Cocktails because it feels classic but kind of mischievous, and honestly it’s the kind of drink you want to serve when you want people to ask questions.

Ingredients

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Sunny lemon liqueur, very sweet, lots of simple carbs and alcohol calories.
Dry sparkling wine adds bubbly dryness, some carbs and light fruit notes.
Fresh lime gives tart brightness, vitamin C, low calories and sharp acidity.
Just sugar and water, raises sweetness and carbs fast, no fiber.
Zero calorie fizz that dilutes sweetness, keeps drink light and refreshing.
Chill and dilute, they mute intensity so flavors feel softer.
Fresh mint adds cool, aromatic lift and tiny antioxidants, subtle herbiness.
A lime wheel brightens presentation, adds a squeeze of extra tartness.
Treat as an indulgent cocktail, moderate portions recommended due to sugars.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz Limoncello, chilled

3 oz dry sparkling wine or Prosecco, chilled

3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)

1/2 oz simple syrup, or a splash if you like it sweeter

1 oz club soda or sparkling water, chilled (optional)

Ice cubes

Lime wheel or wedge for garnish

Fresh mint sprig for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Chill your glass and bottles ahead of time, even 10 minutes in the freezer helps, and grab some fresh ice cubes.

2. In a cocktail shaker fill with ice, add 2 oz Limoncello, 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime) and 1/2 oz simple syrup.

3. Shake hard for about 8 to 10 seconds to thoroughly chill and dilute, don’t put the sparkling wine in the shaker.

4. Fill your chilled glass with fresh ice cubes so the drink stays cold and fizzy longer.

5. Strain the limoncello and lime mix into the glass over the ice.

6. Slowly pour 3 oz dry sparkling wine or Prosecco into the glass, then add 1 oz club soda or sparkling water if you want a lighter fizz; pour gently or over the back of a spoon so you don’t kill the bubbles.

7. Give one quick, gentle stir to combine, just enough to marry the flavors but not flatten the sparkle.

8. Taste it, and if you want it sweeter add a splash more simple syrup and stir once more.

9. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and a fresh mint sprig, clap the mint between your palms first to wake up the aroma, tuck it in and serve immediately.

Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker with built-in strainer (cobbler or Boston style)
2. Jigger or measuring spoons for the 2 oz, 3/4 oz and 1/2 oz measures
3. Fine mesh or Hawthorne strainer for a cleaner pour
4. Long-handled bar spoon for gentle stirring and pouring over the back of a spoon
5. Chilled serving glass (flute, Collins or a tall glass)
6. Citrus juicer or hand reamer and a small paring knife for the lime
7. Ice scoop or tongs and an ice bucket or bowl for fresh cubes
8. Bottle opener and a kitchen towel to handle the Prosecco cork safely

FAQ

Q: Can I make this non alcoholic? A: Yes, skip the limoncello and use 2 oz chilled lemon syrup or a mix of 1 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice plus 1/2 oz simple syrup, then top with the sparkling wine substitute like extra club soda or non alc sparkling wine. It wont be exactly the same but still bright and refreshing.

Q: Can I mix this ahead of time? A: Partially, yeah. Mix the limoncello, lime juice and simple syrup and keep chilled for up to 24 hours. Don't add the sparkling wine or club soda until right before serving or you’ll lose the fizz.

Q: How do I adjust sweetness? A: Use less or more simple syrup to taste. Start with 1/2 oz and add a splash more if you want it sweeter. Limoncello is sweet too so taste first.

Q: What sparkling wine should I use? A: A dry Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine is best — it balances the sweet limoncello. Avoid very sweet sparkling wines unless you like dessert-y drinks.

Q: Will the drink get watered down fast? A: If you use too much ice or smash it, yeah it will. Use a few large cubes and pour the sparkling wine gently down the side so it keeps fizzy longer. Don't stir hard after adding bubbles.

Q: Can I double or make a pitcher? A: Yep. Scale ingredients up but still add sparkling wine and club soda only at last minute. For a pitcher, keep everything chilled and pour the bubbly at the table so it stays lively.

Sparkling Limoncello Cooler Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Limoncello: 2 oz vodka plus 1/2 oz fresh lemon syrup or 2 oz lemon vodka, it’s less sweet but keeps the kick
Dry sparkling wine or Prosecco: 3 oz dry sparkling rosé or 3 oz non alcoholic sparkling wine, good if you want lighter or no booze
Fresh lime juice: 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice or 1/2 oz bottled lime juice plus a tiny splash water, adjust to taste
Simple syrup: 1/2 oz agave syrup or 1/2 oz honey syrup (mix equal parts honey and warm water), or a splash of elderflower liqueur for floral sweetness

Pro Tips

– Use big ice, not a bunch of little cubes. Big cubes melt slower so the drink stays cold without getting watered down. For extra chill and limoncello flavor, freeze a few limoncello cubes ahead of time and toss one in the glass.

– Shake the citrus, limoncello and syrup hard with ice to get it nice and cold, but never shake the sparkling or you lose the bubbles. Pour the sparkling gently, even over the back of a spoon if you can, that way it stays fizzy longer.

– Taste as you go, most people like it a bit sweeter than recipe says. Add tiny splashes of simple syrup, a drop of orange bitters, or a pinch of salt to smooth out sharp edges, just be careful not to overdo it.

– Make the aroma count: clap the mint between your palms to wake the oils, rub the lime wedge around the rim, or twist a lime peel over the top to spritz the oils onto the drink. Serve right away, the fizz and smell fade fast.

Sparkling Limoncello Cooler Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

I’m excited to share a bright Limoncello Cocktails creation combining fresh lime juice, Limoncello, and sparkling wine that’s tailor-made for spring and summer.

Servings

servings

Calories

310

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cocktail shaker with built-in strainer (cobbler or Boston style)
2. Jigger or measuring spoons for the 2 oz, 3/4 oz and 1/2 oz measures
3. Fine mesh or Hawthorne strainer for a cleaner pour
4. Long-handled bar spoon for gentle stirring and pouring over the back of a spoon
5. Chilled serving glass (flute, Collins or a tall glass)
6. Citrus juicer or hand reamer and a small paring knife for the lime
7. Ice scoop or tongs and an ice bucket or bowl for fresh cubes
8. Bottle opener and a kitchen towel to handle the Prosecco cork safely

Ingredients

2 oz Limoncello, chilled
3 oz dry sparkling wine or Prosecco, chilled
3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1/2 oz simple syrup, or a splash if you like it sweeter
1 oz club soda or sparkling water, chilled (optional)
Ice cubes
Lime wheel or wedge for garnish
Fresh mint sprig for garnish (optional)

Directions

Chill your glass and bottles ahead of time, even 10 minutes in the freezer helps, and grab some fresh ice cubes.
In a cocktail shaker fill with ice, add 2 oz Limoncello, 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime) and 1/2 oz simple syrup.
Shake hard for about 8 to 10 seconds to thoroughly chill and dilute, don't put the sparkling wine in the shaker.
Fill your chilled glass with fresh ice cubes so the drink stays cold and fizzy longer.
Strain the limoncello and lime mix into the glass over the ice.
Slowly pour 3 oz dry sparkling wine or Prosecco into the glass, then add 1 oz club soda or sparkling water if you want a lighter fizz; pour gently or over the back of a spoon so you don't kill the bubbles.
Give one quick, gentle stir to combine, just enough to marry the flavors but not flatten the sparkle.
Taste it, and if you want it sweeter add a splash more simple syrup and stir once more.
Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and a fresh mint sprig, clap the mint between your palms first to wake up the aroma, tuck it in and serve immediately.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.