Around The World in 80 Drinks: Hotel Poseidon's Limoncello Spritz
If there’s anywhere to indulge in la dolce vita, it’s the Amalfi Coast. Positano — for all its glamour, luxury and romance — is the epitome of the phrase. Here, mornings are a lazy, espresso-fueled affair before sauntering to your preferred, perfectly-stripped, beach club. Long, lazy lunches should only be interrupted by extra bottles of wine with peaches or a swim. And come evening, the only place to be is on a terrace to watch the sun slip behind the mountains — drink in hand.
Perched high in the Positano hills, Il Poseidon arguably boasts some of the best panoramic views in town, with the perfect sundowner to enjoy them with. A former family home turned luxury hotel, the staff treats you as such with effortlessly warm welcomes and personal recommendations. Ours, the refreshing Limoncello Spritz, a champion of the Amalfi’s famously sweet lemons, and one of Il Tridente Cocktail Bar’s signature cocktails.
A year after our visit, we still think of that evening — our Limoncello Spritz glowing against pastel skies and the quiet buzz of the Tridente terrace. So, we reached out to our friends at Podeidon’s Il Tridente Cocktail Bar to learn just how to recreate the drink at home. If you’ve been dreaming of Positano, this drink will quench your thirst just long enough for you to book your tickets.
Talking limoncello spritz with Il Tridente Cocktail Bar’s head bartender, Gianluca.
The lemons on the Amalfi Coast aren’t your typical lemon. What’s unique about their taste?
”The lemons on the Amalfi Coast are bigger in shape and sweeter than your typical lemons. Because of this, we use the whole lemon here. For example, the zest contains these essential oils that are perfect for creating the flavor profile of the limoncello. We’ll also use the juice in cocktails and recipes, and the pulp can even be eaten in salads.”
Is there anything the home mixologist should know when picking out the right limoncello?
”Not exactly — there’s not a right limoncello. But, there are different tastes, and we prefer ours to be more creamy. If you make your own, you’ll learn there are some 'insider secrets’ which you can use to hone the exact taste you like. This winter, we made our own limoncello here at Il Tridente Cocktail Bar — but unfortunately, we can’t legally use it or sell it at the hotel. So, we opt for Limoncello di Capri, which is a local brand with the main factory in nearby Sorrento.”
Tell us about the limoncello spritz you have at Poseidon’s Il Tridente Cocktail Bar.
”As you know, the Amalfi Coast is famous for its big lemons and limoncello is a typical liquor from the area. So, we swap out tarte Aperol for our sweet local limoncello. The mix between prosecco and limoncello creates this fizzy, lemon-y cocktail that’s perfect for summer. It’s one of our most beloved cocktails at Il Tridente.”
IL TRIDENTE’S SIGNATURE
Limoncello Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
1 ⅔ fl oz Limoncello — Il Tridente uses “Limoncello di Capri”
2 ½ fl oz Prosecco
¾ fl oz Soda Water
Instructions
Fill a long glass — wine glass is typical, but we use a hooligan glass for a unique presentation — with ice. Pour your limoncello, prosecco and soda water into the glass, in that order. Grab a long spoon and stir it well. Serve it up with a lemon slice and cherries. Saluti!
