Italian 75 recipe
A sparkling Italian twist on the classic French 75 featuring bright limoncello.
Method: Shake and strain ·
Glass: Chilled champagne flute ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 30 ml Gin (London dry style)
- 15 ml Limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)
- 15 ml Fresh lemon juice (Strained)
- 90 ml Prosecco (Chilled, to top)
How to make a Italian 75
- Add the gin, limoncello, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled champagne flute.
- Top gently with chilled prosecco and stir briefly to combine.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon twist.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh lemon twist.
Pro tip
Keep your prosecco and glassware thoroughly chilled prior to mixing to maintain maximum effervescence. Adjust the lemon juice slightly depending on the sweetness of your limoncello.
History of the Italian 75
The Italian 75 emerges as a vibrant Mediterranean adaptation of the legendary French 75, substituting traditional simple syrup with sweet, lemon-infused limoncello. While modern cocktail culture frequently attributes this riff to contemporary craft cocktail bars seeking lively aperitivo options, its exact origin remains undocumented in classic literature. It builds upon the enduring legacy of the original French 75 first documented during World War I, bridging classic botanical gin and sparkling wine with regional Italian citrus traditions.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Effervescent, Botanical, Sweet-Tart
Variations
- Blood Orange Italian 75 — Substitute blood orange liqueur or blood orange juice for limoncello.
- Amaretto 75 — Swap limoncello for amaretto liqueur to introduce rich almond notes.
Practise making the Italian 75 in the free Virtual Bar game.