Save It The day after Valentine's Day, my fridge was a graveyard of half-empty bottles and leftover raspberries that seemed too pretty to waste. I stood there holding a bottle of prosecco with maybe a cup left, wondering what to do with it all, when the idea hit me like a splash of sparkling water—why not make something light and celebratory instead of sad? This Raspberry Lime Spritz came together in those five minutes, and suddenly the holiday wasn't over; it just transformed into something better, something meant for lingering conversations and the kind of afternoon that doesn't need much of an excuse.
My neighbor stopped by that afternoon, and I made two of these without asking—just handed her one cold and fizzing, topped with a lime wedge. She took one sip and asked for the recipe immediately, which told me everything. It became our thing that spring, making a batch whenever we had scraps of fruit and an excuse to sit outside.
Ingredients
- Fresh raspberries: Use them when they're still firm and bright; frozen ones work just as well and sometimes taste more intense since they were frozen at peak ripeness.
- Lime: One medium lime gives you enough slices for muddling and garnishing—roll it on the counter first to make it juicier.
- Vodka: The spirit here stays quiet and lets the fruit speak, but honestly, you can skip it entirely if you want a mocktail that tastes just as refreshing.
- Simple syrup: Start with one tablespoon and taste as you go; raspberries vary in tartness depending on the season.
- Sparkling water or club soda: Either works, though sparkling water feels slightly lighter and more elegant if you're being fancy about it.
- Prosecco or sparkling wine: This is where leftover bottles get a second act; it adds sophistication without heaviness, but you can absolutely skip it and use more sparkling water.
- Fresh mint and lime wedges for garnish: These aren't just pretty—the mint releases its scent as you sip, and the lime wedge gives you something to squeeze in if you want extra tartness.
Instructions
- Muddle the fruit:
- Put your raspberries and lime slices into a cocktail shaker or a large sturdy glass, then use a muddler or the back of a spoon to crush them gently but thoroughly. You're looking for the berries to break down and release their juice, which should look like dark pink liquid pooling at the bottom.
- Sweeten and add spirits:
- Add your simple syrup to the muddled fruit, then pour in the vodka if you're using it. This is the moment when everything smells absolutely incredible—fruity and bright and somehow already festive.
- Ice it down:
- Fill your shaker or glass with ice, which cools everything quickly and starts to dilute the mixture just enough so it doesn't taste too intense.
- Add the fizz:
- Pour in the sparkling water and prosecco, then stir gently so you don't lose all the bubbles. Think of it as a whisper of a stir, not a vigorous one.
- Strain and serve:
- Pour everything through a strainer into two ice-filled glasses, letting the beautiful pink liquid flow while catching the fruit solids. Top each glass with fresh mint and a lime wedge, then serve immediately while it's still properly cold and fizzy.
Save It There's a specific magic in handing someone a cold drink on a warm afternoon and watching their expression shift as they taste something unexpected and bright. This spritz does that—it says something without being pretentious, which is exactly the kind of hospitality that sticks with people.
Making It Your Own
The beautiful part about this recipe is how forgiving it is with interpretation. I've made it with strawberries when raspberries were out of season, swapped in different types of sparkling wine, and even used blackberries once when a friend brought them over. Each version tastes distinctly itself, which means you can experiment without worrying about messing it up.
When to Serve This
This spritz works for almost any time of day that calls for something celebratory but not heavy. Brunch is obvious, but it's equally at home on a late afternoon when you want to pause work, at a casual dinner party where you're not trying too hard, or as a simple thank-you drink when someone stops by. The fact that it takes five minutes means you can make it without drama, which somehow makes it feel more generous than cocktails that require a production.
The Mocktail Question
If you're skipping the alcohol—for any reason, no questions asked—just increase the sparkling water to about one and a half cups and you've got something that tastes just as complete and satisfying. The raspberries and lime do all the heavy lifting anyway; the alcohol just gets out of the way and lets them shine. Some of my favorite versions have been the alcohol-free ones, made for friends who didn't drink but deserved something just as thoughtful and delicious.
- A splash of fresh lemon juice can replace lime if you prefer that brightness instead.
- Freeze raspberries ahead of time and use them in place of ice for extra flavor as they slowly melt.
- Keep your serving glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring so the drink stays cold longer.
Save It This spritz reminds me that the best moments in the kitchen aren't about following rules perfectly—they're about using what you have, sharing it generously, and letting the people you feed feel like you were thinking about them. Make this drink that way, and it becomes more than a recipe.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this drink without alcohol?
Yes, simply omit the vodka and prosecco, then top up with extra sparkling water to keep it bubbly and refreshing.
- → What can I use instead of raspberries?
Strawberries or blackberries can be substituted to provide a similar fruity freshness and color.
- → How do I adjust the sweetness of the drink?
Add more or less simple syrup according to your taste preference to balance the tartness of the lime and berries.
- → What garnishes work best for this drink?
Fresh mint leaves and lime wedges add aroma and a vibrant look that enhances the drinking experience.
- → Is there a preferred glassware for serving?
Serving glasses filled with ice enhance the chill and presentation of this sparkling beverage.