SICILY, CAMPANIA
Limoncello spritz
This light citrusy spritz has been popping up all along the coast over the past decade, particularly in Sicily. Apart from being a beautiful color and wonderfully refreshing, it’s also a good way to use up prosecco or limoncello, which I often have lying around. It’s important to get the balance right—too much limoncello will make it too tart and alcoholic; what you’re aiming for is a subtle citrus note within a glass of dry prosecco. Now that I’ve discovered how easy and delicious it is to make homemade limoncello I’ll often use my own here, but store-bought is also fine. My only word of caution would be to add less as it can taste more synthetic and throw the balance off; start with half the amount recommended below and taste before adding any more to make sure it’s not too sweet. – Amber Guinness
PREPARATION: 5 minutes
SERVES 6
- ice cubes, to serve
- handful of basil leaves
- 90 ml (3 fl oz) homemade or shop-bought limoncello
- 1 bottle good-quality dry prosecco
- soda water, to taste
- 6 lemon slices
Fill a glass with plenty of ice and a few basil leaves. Pour over 15 ml (½ fl oz) of limoncello, followed by about 125 ml (4 fl oz) of prosecco and a splash of soda water. Gently stir to combine. Add a slice of lemon to the glass and garnish with a few more basil leaves. Repeat to make six cocktails (or increase the quantities and make as many as you like).
VARIATIONS
WHITE SPRITZ: Pour prosecco over ice. Add a splash of soda water, a strip of lemon peel and a sprig of mint.
SPRITZ ALLE MORE: Place a scoop of blackberry granita in a glass and pour over an equal measure of prosecco.
Excerpted from Italian Coastal, by Amber Guinness © Thames & Hudson Australia 2024 Text © Amber Guinness Reprinted by permission of Thames & Hudson Inc Recipe photo credit: © Saghar Setareh
