A good limoncello spritz should be bright, bubbly, lemony, and just sweet enough. The trick is keeping the cordial from taking over.
This zero-proof version uses an easy 3-2-1 ratio: three parts non-alcoholic sparkling wine, two parts limoncello-style cordial, and one part soda water. Build it over plenty of ice, keep everything cold, and finish with fresh lemon.
Then, if you want to make it a little more grown-up, there is an optional Wims Pocket-Tonic pour. Keep the drink itself non-alcoholic, then add a measured 2mg half serving or 4mg full serving directly to your own glass.
Start with the base.
1. The Easy 3-2-1 Limoncello Spritz
This is the recipe to memorize. Once you have the ratio down, you can change the garnish, fruit, or flavor profile without rebuilding the drink from scratch.
Ingredients
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3 parts non-alcoholic sparkling wine, preferably Brut or Extra Brut
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2 parts limoncello-style non-alcoholic cordial
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1 part soda water
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Ice
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Lemon wheel or lemon peel
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Fresh mint, optional
How to make it
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Chill your glass and ingredients before you start.
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Fill a large wine glass generously with ice.
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Pour in the non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
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Add the limoncello-style cordial.
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Top with soda water.
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Give it one gentle stir.
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Express a strip of lemon peel over the top and add your garnish.
Taste before adding anything else.
If it is too sweet, add a little more soda. If it is too sharp, add a small amount of cordial. The goal is a drink that tastes like lemon first and sugar second.
One small detail makes a bigger difference than you would expect: keep everything cold. Starting with chilled ingredients means the ice can chill the drink without having to dilute it excessively.
2. How to Make a Limoncello Spritz Less Sweet
Limoncello-style cordial is naturally sweet, so this drink can go from refreshing to syrupy quickly.
Use a dry sparkling base. Look for Brut or Extra Brut when choosing a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. And remember the confusing part of sparkling-wine labeling: Extra Dry is actually sweeter than Brut.
Pull back the cordial. If your first build tastes heavy, reduce the cordial slightly and increase the sparkling wine or soda.
Add acid. A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice can sharpen the drink and make the sweetness feel more balanced.
Use aromatic garnish. Express lemon peel over the glass before serving. The citrus oils hit your nose before the first sip, making the drink taste brighter without adding more sugar.
For a crowd, keep lemon wedges or halves on the table. Guests can adjust their own glass instead of forcing one sweetness level on everyone.
3. How to Make It a Grown-Up Limoncello Spritz with Wims
The easiest way to add Wims is to keep the pitcher or base completely zero-proof and make the Pocket-Tonic portion individual.
Build your limoncello spritz first.
Then add Pocket-Tonic directly to your glass.
A full Pocket-Tonic serving contains 4mg THC and 4mg CBD in a 1:1 ratio. If you are new to THC drinks, start with a 2mg half serving and give it time before deciding whether you want more.
For the cleanest flavor, use Unflavored. Want to lean into the herbal side of the drink? Lemon Basil works naturally with the citrus and fresh herbs.
The important part is keeping the dose personal. Do not add Pocket-Tonic to a communal pitcher. Let each person choose whether they want it and how much.
Because edible-style THC can take time to take effect, start low and wait before taking more. Product onset can vary based on the person, product, and formulation.
That is the appeal of the Wims format: the spritz stays the spritz. You are simply choosing what goes into your own glass.
4. Lemon Basil Limoncello Spritz
If the classic version feels a little too sweet, this is the variation to make.
Fresh basil adds an aromatic, savory edge that makes the lemon taste more complex without adding another sweet ingredient.
Ingredients
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1 serving of the basic limoncello spritz
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3–5 fresh basil leaves
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Lemon wheel
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Optional: Wims Lemon Basil Pocket-Tonic
Build it
Gently clap the basil leaves between your palms to release the aroma. Add them to the glass, then build the spritz over ice.
Keep the cordial toward the lower end of your usual ratio. Basil brings plenty of character on its own.
Finish with a basil sprig and thin lemon wheel.
For the Wims version, Lemon Basil Pocket-Tonic is the natural pairing. Use a 2mg half serving for a lighter option or the full 4mg serving.
The result is less candy-sweet and more like something you would actually order at a good cocktail bar.
5. Ginger Lime Limoncello Spritz
Want something drier and a little more energetic? Bring in ginger and lime.
Ginger gives the drink warmth, while lime adds another layer of acidity that keeps the lemon cordial from feeling heavy.
Ingredients
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1 serving of the basic limoncello spritz
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1 thin slice fresh ginger or a small amount of ginger syrup
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Lime wheel
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Optional: Wims Ginger Lime Pocket-Tonic
Build it
Add the ginger to the glass, then fill with ice.
Build the sparkling wine and cordial over the ice, then finish with soda water.
Keep the cordial slightly lower if you are using ginger syrup, since the syrup will add sweetness.
Finish with a lime wheel and thin slice of ginger.
For the optional Wims version, Ginger Lime Pocket-Tonic keeps the flavor profile cohesive. Start with 2mg if you want a lighter serving or use the full 4mg serving.
Large ice cubes are especially good here. They melt more slowly and help keep the drink crisp through a long conversation.
6. Berry Limoncello Spritz
Berries can make a limoncello spritz look beautiful, but they can also push it into overly sweet territory.
The trick is to use berries for color and aroma rather than turning them into a syrup.
Choose one:
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Lightly muddle 2–3 fresh berries in the bottom of the glass.
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Add about 1 tablespoon of unsweetened berry purée.
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Drop a few whole berries directly into the finished drink.
Then build the spritz as usual.
If your berries are especially ripe and sweet, reduce the cordial slightly. The lemon should remain the dominant flavor.
Use Unflavored Pocket-Tonic here if you want the fruit to stay front and center. A 2mg half serving or 4mg full serving can be added directly to the finished glass.
Finish with mint and one fresh berry.
7. Tart Cherry Limoncello Spritz
For something that feels a little more evening-ready, tart cherry is an easy switch.
Cherry adds color, body, and acidity while giving the bright lemon base a deeper fruit note.
Build it
Start with:
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Ice
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A small splash of tart cherry juice
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Non-alcoholic sparkling wine
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A slightly reduced amount of limoncello-style cordial
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Soda water
Build directly in the glass and give it one gentle stir.
The tart cherry lets you pull back on the cordial without losing flavor, which keeps the drink refreshing instead of dessert-like.
For the optional Wims addition, Unflavored keeps the fruit clean, while Ginger Lime adds a little warmth.
This version works especially well with salty snacks, olives, grilled vegetables, or a late-evening spread.
8. How to Make a Limoncello Spritz for a Crowd
Do not batch the bubbles.
That is the rule.
Sparkling wine and soda lose carbonation as they sit, so combining everything in a pitcher hours before guests arrive guarantees a flatter drink.
Instead, batch only the still ingredients.
Ahead of time
In a pitcher, combine:
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Limoncello-style cordial
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Any lemon juice
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Tart cherry juice, if using
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Ginger syrup or other flavor additions
Stir, cover, and refrigerate.
Keep the non-alcoholic sparkling wine and soda water chilled separately.
When guests arrive
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Fill glasses with ice.
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Pour in the prepared base.
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Top with chilled sparkling wine.
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Finish with soda water.
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Garnish.
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Stir once, gently.
If you are offering Wims, keep the Pocket-Tonics next to the bar rather than adding them to the pitcher. That lets each person choose whether they want a 2mg half serving or 4mg full serving.
It also keeps the entire pitcher zero-proof.
About Wims and the Limoncello Spritz
The best part of a spritz is that it does not need to be complicated. It is bright, social, easy to make, and easy to customize.
That is the same idea behind Wims.
Pocket-Tonic is a snap-and-squeeze liquid mixer designed to add a measured THC and CBD serving directly to your drink. A full serving contains 4mg THC and 4mg CBD, while a half serving delivers 2mg of each.
The format keeps the decision individual. Make the pitcher zero-proof, build your spritz, and add Pocket-Tonic only to the glass you are drinking.
Choose Unflavored when you want the lemon to lead. Lemon Basil adds an herbal layer, while Ginger Lime brings a little more spice and brightness.
That is the Wims approach to the New Social: drink less, feel more, and keep the choice in your hands.
Explore Pocket-Tonic and find your flavor at Wims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a non-alcoholic limoncello spritz ahead of time?
Yes, but prepare only the non-sparkling base ahead of time. Combine the cordial and any juice or flavor additions in a covered pitcher and refrigerate. Add the sparkling wine and soda immediately before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
What can I use if I cannot find non-alcoholic sparkling wine?
Soda water or plain sparkling water works. You will lose some of the wine-like body, but the lemon cordial still gives you the defining flavor of the drink. Add fresh lemon peel, mint, or basil to make the finished glass feel more complete.
Why is my limoncello spritz too sweet?
Start by adding more soda water or sparkling wine. If it still tastes heavy, add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice and reduce the cordial in your next batch. Choosing a Brut or Extra Brut non-alcoholic sparkling wine also helps keep the finished drink drier.
What is the best glass for a limoncello spritz?
Use a large wine glass with plenty of ice. The extra room gives you space for the sparkling wine, cordial, soda, and garnish without crowding the drink. Express a strip of lemon peel over the top before serving for extra citrus aroma.
Can I add Wims to a pitcher?
No. Keep the pitcher zero-proof and add Pocket-Tonic individually to each glass. That lets each person choose whether they want Wims and whether they prefer a 2mg half serving or 4mg full serving.
How much Wims should I add to a limoncello spritz?
A full Pocket-Tonic serving contains 4mg THC and 4mg CBD. If you are new to THC drinks, start with a 2mg half serving and wait to see how it feels before taking more. Do not drive or operate anything if you feel impaired.
