As much as we love the holiday season, you can’t deny that it’s full of obligations: to buy gifts, to make arduous travel plans and to see loved ones who often know just how to push your buttons.
Amid the chaos, Friendsgiving is a beacon of joy: what if you could spend the holidays with whoever you want, doing whatever you want and eating and drinking whatever you want? Thanks to the rise of Friendsgiving, an informal, potluck-style celebration among friends on or near Thanksgiving Day, you can.
Whether you’re hosting or visiting your chosen family for a Friendsgiving feast this year, a simple, tasty cocktail is a great way to celebrate. Keep reading for how to make and serve the Limoncello Spritz, the only drink recipe you’ll have to remember this Friendsgiving.
First things first: when the group chat asks who’s bringing what to Friendsgiving, immediately volunteer to do the drinks. Why? It’s much easier (and usually cheaper) than cooking, so you won’t be standing over a hot stove all day, just popping bottles once you pull up to the party. It’s a vibe.
Second, just make one cocktail (call it a signature cocktail to sound fancy), and make it a spritz. Spritzes are made with sparkling wine, which pairs famously well with all types of food. The bubbly effervescence provides the perfect palate cleanser between bites so your tastebuds can hop from turkey to stuffing to sweet potato casserole with ease.
Spritzes are also incredibly easy to make, as they’re built within the glass they’re served in. This means no dirty cocktail shakers or mixing glasses to clean after the meal is finished. Simply pour a few ingredients in a glass, stir, garnish and serve.
You probably already know and love the Aperol Spritz, and maybe even the Hugo Spritz, but for Friendsgiving festivities, we have to go with the Limoncello Spritz: an easy-as-pumpkin-pie spritz that’s light, refreshing and widely appealing.
Both the bubbly Prosecco and citrusy limoncello will perfectly balance all the heavy dishes on your plate. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable: if you want to keep it simple, you can, but if you want to get crazy with elaborate garnishes or even edible glitter, have at it!
Here’s how to make it, step by step:
Sugar and lemon zest (optional)
2 ounces Il Tramonto Limoncello Liqueur
4 ounces La Bella Prosecco DOC
Rosemary sprig and/or lemon twist (optional)
If you wish, rim a large wine glass with lemon juice, sugar and lemon zest. Fill with ice. Add limoncello liqueur, Prosecco and top with a splash of soda water. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and/or lemon twist if desired.
The sky’s the limit with garnishing this drink. A lemon twist is the obvious (and easiest) choice, but a rosemary sprig also adds an elegant, wintery touch.
Need some citrus peel garnish inspo? Check out the video below:
We get it: sometimes even the simplest cocktails are just too much work, especially when you’d rather spend time enjoying the company of friends you may not have seen in a while.
In that case, grab a couple bottles of Il Tramonto Limoncello Spritz, the pre-bottled version of this cocktail, for a grab-and-go Friendsgiving drink option. We promise it’ll still be just as delicious and crowd-pleasing, just with less pouring and clean-up.
Regardless of how you serve it, ready-to-drink or freshly made, this Limoncello Spritz is the only cocktail recipe you need to know this holiday season — and likely the only drink your friends will want at Friendsgiving from here on out.
