Non-Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz Mocktail

By Natalie Battaglia | Updated February 25, 2024

This ridiculously simple 3 ingredient non-alcoholic limoncello is everything youโ€™d imagine โ€“ fizzy, tart and incredibly refreshing. The main ingredient can be made in advance and kept in the fridge, so it only takes seconds to assemble once your guests arrive.

If youโ€™re looking for the perfect mocktail for any season, my alcohol free limoncello is the one! With just 3 ingredients, it can be made for one or adapted to create for a crowd easily.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Youโ€™ll adore this delicious recipe because itโ€™s:

  • Just so easy. Youโ€™ve all been asking me for limoncello substitute for ages, on the condition that itโ€™s easy! When I shared this post on Instagram, I described the main ingredient as a lazy girl syrup because thatโ€™s exactly what it is.
  • Perfectly delicious. Bubbly, sour and just a touch sweet, my mouth waters just thinking about it.
  • Low waste. Thatโ€™s right, we use the both the lemon juice and the peels for this recipe.
  • Ideal for entertaining. I get asked for easy mocktails for a crowd all the time. This recipe would be great for a party because it can be prepared in advance and you can make a large batch of limoncello without alcohol.

Ingredients โ€“ What You Need

The peel of 4-5 lemons: ideally use organic or home grown, but if you donโ€™t have access to these thatโ€™s fine - just wash them really well! I get asked a lot if Meyer lemons can be used and the answer is YES, just keep in mind using Meyer lemons will result in a different (but still delicious) taste.

White sugar: regular white sugar is perfect for this limoncello substitute.

Lemon flavored sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco: choose an unsweetened lemon-flavored sparkling water or a dry/low sugar Prosecco. There is enough sugar in the lemon oleo saccharum. I find that the best alcohol-free Proseccos are found online, but you can definitely still buy them at some grocery stores if thatโ€™s easier.

Optional freshly squeezed lemon juice: if youโ€™re someone who like their drinks particularly โ€˜lemonyโ€™ (I know thatโ€™s not a word but weโ€™re going with it), then I highly recommend adding some extra lemon juice. This is my favorite way to drink this delicious sip!

How to make it

To make the lemon oleo saccharum (a Latin word for โ€˜oil-sugar):

Firstly, please note that this needs to be made at least one day prior to when you want to consume your limoncello mocktail. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days, so make this at a time thatโ€™s right for you!

step by step ingredients for leom oleo saccharum, step 1 shows lemon peels being placed in a mason jar, step 2 shows sugar being added to the mason jar.

Step 1: wash your lemons well, then peel them using a vegetable peeler. Be careful to not include too much of the white pith โ€“ this will result in a bitter taste.

Step 2: place the lemon peel in a mason jar with an equal amount of sugar by weight. If you donโ€™t have kitchen scales, a good rule of thumb is 1.5 oz (or 3 tablespoons) sugar to 1 lemon.

step 3 shows the lemon peel and sugar being stirred together by a gold spoon, step 4 shows the mixture being strained into a glass jar.

Step 3: stir the sugar through the lemon peel and muddle gently a few times. Cover the mason jar with cling wrap or pop the lid on, then leave it at room temperature overnight. You can stir every now and then, but I didnโ€™t find this necessary.

Step 4: using a fine mesh strainer, strain into another jar or airtight container. Use a spoon to press down on the lemon peel, being sure to extract every nutritious drop.

Youโ€™ll be left with a delicious lemon oil that can be kept in the fridge for up to one week!

To give you an idea of volume, for this recipe I used the peel of 5 lemons to 1 cup of sugar and ended up with just under 1 cup of lemon oleo saccharum.

Want to save this?

Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox, plus you'll get a new mocktail recipe from me every week.

To make the mocktail:

step 5 shows the lemon oleo saccharum being poured into a large wine glass over ice, step 6 shows the non-alcoholic prosecco being added.

Step 5: fill a large wine glass with ice and add the lemon oleo saccharum.

Step 6: add your choice of lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco. Personally I love the adult feel the Prosecco brings to this spritz (and it is what makes a spritz a spritz!) but the lemon sparkling water is also just delicious!

step 7 shows adding the optional fresh lemon juice and step 8 shows the glass being garnished with a sprig of thyme.

Step 7: taste, then add some fresh lemon juice if you wish. I usually add at least 1 oz / 30 ml, but I do adore everything lemon!

Step 8: stir gently, then garnish with an extra lemon slice and a piece of thyme or rosemary if you wish.

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • Make sure your lemon sparkling water or Prosecco are low sugar โ€“ the oleo saccharum has plenty of sugar to make this drink sweet enough.
  • Donโ€™t limit yourself to just lemon. Oleo saccharum can also be made with lime, grapefruit or orange peel. Simply follow the same method of equal amounts peel and sugar by weight.
What type of sugar should I use for lemon oleo saccharum?

Traditionally, white granulated sugar is used for oleo saccharum. However, some people experiment with other sugars like demerara or turbinado for added complexity.

What is the best non-alcoholic Prosecco for my virgin limoncello spritz?

Any brand that is a dry or low sugar is a winner here! I personally think these non-alcoholic sparkling wines are the best.

Related recipes

Love this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ rating in the recipe card below or leave me a comment if you REALLY love it!

I hope you love this non-alcoholic limoncello as much as I do!

large spritz glass with non-alcoholic limoncello, alcohol-free prosecco and soda water inside, garnished with a slice of lemon and piece of thyme on a white background.

Non-Alcoholic Limoncello Spritz

An easy limoncello mocktail that is perfect for guests!
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients

To make the lemon oleo saccharum

  • The peel of 4-5 lemons
  • 1 cup sugar (approximately - see note 1)

To make the mocktail

  • 1-1.5 oz lemon oleo saccharum
  • 1 cup lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco
  • 1 oz lemon juice (optional - see note 2)
  • Lemon slice or thyme sprig to garnish (optional)

Instructions

To make the oleo saccharum (make this the day before!)

  • Wash and peel your lemons, being careful not to include too much of the white pith.
  • Place the lemon peel in a jar with an equal amount of sugar by weight. If you don't have kitchen scales, a general rule of thumb is 1.5 oz (3 tablespoons) sugar to 1 lemon.
  • Stir the sugar through the lemon and muddle a few times. Cover and leave at room temperature overnight.
  • Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a jar or airtight container. Press down on the mixture with a spoon to extract every delicious drop. This is your lemon oleo saccharum

To make the mocktail

  • Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add the oleo saccharum and your choice of lemon sparkling water or non-alcoholic Prosecco.
  • Taste, then add the optional lemon juice if you wish.
  • Add an optional garnish - I love a thin lemon slice or thyme sprig...or both!

Notes

Note 1: don't stress too much about getting the sugar quantity exactly right, there is lots of wriggle room when it comes to oleo saccharum! Essentially you just need the lemon peel adequately covered with sugar.
Note 2: the lemon juice is optional but I highly recommend, especially if you're a lemon lover like me!
Please note: nutrition calculation is based on using unsweetened lemon sparkling water and 1 oz lemon oleo saccharum. These are estimates only.

Nutrition

Serving: 300ml | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.1mg

NUTRITIONAL VALUES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND DO NOT INCLUDE CARBS FROM SUGAR ALCOHOLS.

Did You Make This Recipe? Please leave a rating below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
4.84 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Any cocktail that requires minimal tools and has minimal ingredients wins for me... This was SO good.. second fave in my LIFE!!! Thankyou for sharing x

    1. Hi Bethany!
      You've made my day - I'm so happy you loved it. This is one of my faves too.
      Cheers to you!

  2. 4 stars
    I made it using the equal weight ratio of lemon peels to sugar and I only got 2 oz! I realized later that it was nowhere near 1 cup sugar. I need enough for 4 drinks. Do you think I should add simple syrup to it or make more?

    1. Hi Rita, I am hoping my reply gets to you in time! Yes you can add some simple syrup and/or some extra lemon juice to make up the quantity you need if you didn't use enough sugar. Happy sipping, I hope you enjoy it!