There is much that quintessentially says “summer” more than a glass of cold, sweet-tart, cooling, refreshing lemonade. Whether you’re at a picnic, barbecue, the pool or an outdoor social gathering during the warmer months, you’re almost certain to see a pitcher beckoning you to sip. In fact, the hubs and I love it so much that we keep lemonade in the fridge all year long
But bubbly lovers just cannot live on just lemonade alone! Case in point: I was about to pour myself a glass recently when I was suddenly hit by an unyielding desire to transform that lemonade into adult-sipping form. I wanted a frosty, tasty cocktail, but I also needed something light and refreshing, with low alcohol content that could sustain me while basking under the summer sun.
It was time to do some cocktail brainstorming and concocting, so I started perusing my liquor cabinet for inspiration. Then, there it was: Limoncello.
*LIGHTBULB MOMENT*
For the uninitiated, Limoncello is a lemon-flavored Italian liqueur made with lemons from the Italian coast. It’s often sipped after meals, but it also makes for a lovely ingredient in cocktails, too. Hence my inspiration.
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Once I saw the limoncello the gears started turning. I decided to create my own lemony cocktail recipe with an Italian twist that I could envision sipping while watching a Tuscan sunset, and the Sole di Limone was born. It’s bright and lemony and fizzy with the perfect touch of sweet-tartness and kick. Trust me, you’ll be sipping these citrusy, refreshing, bubbly flavor bombs right through the fall.
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 ounce of limoncello
1/2 ounce of pear brandy/liqueur OR
3-4 dashes of Angsotura bitters
1 bottle of Prosecco, chilled
Add all of the ingredients expect the Prosecco to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously to blend and chill for 10 seconds. Pour the mixture into a champagne coupe and top off with Prosecco.