I Made Ina Garten’s Limoncello Spritz, and It’s the Only Drink I Need This Summer

This refreshing pitcher cocktail from Ina Garten tastes like lemon candy.

Pitcher cocktails are a key shortcut to breezy entertaining. Who wants to go through all the trouble of stocking a full bar, mixing individual drinks, or worse yet, leaving your guests to mix their own drinks? Every party should have a pre-mixed signature cocktail, ready to go in a big pitcher.

When I first spotted Ina Garten’s limoncello vodka spritz going around the internet, I immediately bookmarked it. In this video, Ina explains the drink is basically a limoncello Tom Collins, but instead of the gin found in the classic cocktail, she uses vodka, plus Italian lemon liqueur to ramp up the lemon flavor.

This cocktail is simple to make. It’s super refreshing and tastes like lemon candy—perfect for summer!

What Is Limoncello

Limoncello is a popular Italian lemon-flavored liqueur, containing about 30% alcohol by volume. It’s usually served chilled and in small amounts, after a meal as a digestivo. Limoncello is equally sweet and tart and makes a lively addition to cocktails. It’s available in most liquor shops, but you can make limoncello from scratch.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Limoncello Spritz

Alex Shytsman for Taste of Home

• 1-1/2 cups vodka
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons sugar syrup
• 1/4 cup limoncello
• 1-1/2 cups Italian sparkling water
• Lemon slices, for garnish
• Ice, for serving
• Optional: 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon salt for a sugar-salt rim

Instructions

Alex Shytsman for Taste of Home

Step 1: Make the sugar syrup

Ina sweetens her cocktail with “sugar syrup.” Simple syrup has a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water; sugar syrup has a 2:1 ratio, resulting in a thicker mixture and more concentrated sweetness. (I found the original recipe with 6 tablespoons of syrup quite sweet. I recommend starting with 4 tablespoons and going up from there if needed.)

To make the sugar syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of water in a small pot. Warm gently for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 2: Mix the spritzer

In a large pitcher, combine the vodka, lemon juice, sugar syrup and limoncello. Stir to incorporate. Then add the sparkling water and stir once more.

Step 3: Prepare individual drinks

Ina recommends serving the cocktail with a sugar-salt rim, which makes for a special presentation but isn’t entirely necessary.

In a saucer, combine the sugar and salt. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of your serving glass, then dip the rim in the sugar-salt mixture. Place ice in the glass and fill with the drink. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve.

Recipe Notes

• Ina says fresh lemon juice is “very important.” Don’t tell her, but I used bottled lemon juice and the drink was still great!
• Don’t feel like making sugar syrup? Use pure maple syrup or honey instead.
• Switch up the spirit. This drink is equally great with gin or tequila, or mezcal if you enjoy the smokiness.

Related:

• Foods Ina Garten Loves to Cook (and Eat!)
• This Is Ina Garten’s All-Time Favorite Dessert—and It’s Surprisingly Simple
• Drinks to Welcome Patio Season