Raspberry Lime Spritz Drink

There's something magical about the morning after a dinner party when you're staring at half-empty bottles of prosecco and a container of raspberries that won't last another day. That's when this spritz was born—not from a recipe book, but from the happy accident of wanting something bright and bubbly without the fuss. The first sip tasted like summer had somehow snuck into February, and I knew I'd stumbled onto something worth repeating.

I made a batch of these for friends who'd helped me move boxes all afternoon, and watching their faces light up when they took that first cold, fizzy sip made me realize this wasn't just a drink—it was a small kindness disguised as refreshment. One friend asked for the recipe right there, and another kept refilling without asking, which is always the highest compliment.

Ingredients

• Fresh raspberries: Use whatever you have—fresh, frozen, halfway to moldy—because they're getting muddled anyway and the flavor is what matters most.
• Lime: One whole lime, sliced thin so each glass gets a tangy moment and a little color.
• Vodka: Optional, but it rounds out the drink and lets the fruit shine without overwhelming it.
• Simple syrup: This is your sweetness dial—start with a tablespoon and taste as you go because raspberries have their own natural sweetness.
• Sparkling water or club soda: The backbone of this drink, keeping it light and refreshing rather than heavy.
• Prosecco or sparkling wine: Those leftover bottles from celebrations become something new and joyful here.
• Fresh mint: A handful of leaves transforms it from just pretty to actually fragrant and alive in your glass.

Instructions

Crisp vegetables, roast meats, bake snacks, and reheat leftovers quickly for easy, flavorful home cooking.

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Crush the berries and bring the lime:

Put your raspberries and lime slices into a cocktail shaker or tall glass and muddle them together with the simple syrup until they're broken down and releasing their juices. You want to hear that satisfying crunch and see the juices turn everything a deep rosy color.

Build it cold:

Add your vodka if you're using it, then fill your vessel with ice so everything stays properly chilled and dilutes at just the right pace.

Marry the fizz:

Pour in the sparkling water and any prosecco you're using, and stir gently so the bubbles don't all escape before they reach your glass. This is a quiet moment in the process—let it be calm and unhurried.

Strain and serve:

Pour the whole beautiful mixture through a strainer into two glasses filled with fresh ice, leaving behind the fruit solids but keeping all that flavor you just created.

Finish with grace:

Drop a few mint leaves and a lime wedge into each glass and serve right away while everything is still crackling and cold.

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This drink has become my go-to for those moments when you want to mark something small as special—a Friday that finally arrived, a friend stopping by unannounced, a quiet afternoon that deserves a little celebration. It's the kind of thing that makes ordinary feel intentional.

The Beauty of Muddling

There's real satisfaction in muddling—in taking whole ingredients and encouraging them to release their essence into a glass. It's gentler than blending, more intentional than just stirring, and it creates this texture and flavor depth that you can't get any other way. I've learned to use a wooden spoon when I don't have a proper muddler, and honestly it works just as well.

Making It Your Own

The drink I've written here is just the starting point, and that's the whole point. Swap the raspberries for blackberries or strawberries, adjust the sweetness to match your mood, decide whether you want the spirit or prefer it sober—all of these choices are right. I've made versions with a splash of chambord instead of prosecco, and once I added a tiny bit of rose water just to see what would happen.

Timing and Temperature

The five-minute timeline is real and honest—there's no chilling period required because you're building everything over ice, and you drink it immediately while it's still at its coldest and most effervescent. This is a drink that doesn't wait, which means you don't have to either. Make it right when you want it, and enjoy it while the bubbles are still doing their thing.

• Prep all your ingredients before you start so you're not searching for limes while your ice melts.
• If you're making multiple drinks, prep the raspberry and lime mixture ahead and keep it in the fridge, then add spirits and fizz to order.
• The flavor is best in the first ten minutes, so don't let it sit—this is a drink that wants to be drunk right now.

Quickly chop vegetables, blend sauces, and prepare dips or dressings for fast, everyday meal prep.

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This spritz taught me that the best recipes are the ones you build around what you already have and who you're pouring them for. That's where the real magic happens.

Recipe Guide

→ Can I make this drink without alcohol?

Yes, simply omit the vodka and prosecco, and increase the sparkling water amount for a refreshing mocktail version.

→ What alternatives can I use for the berries?

You can substitute raspberries with strawberries or blackberries to create a different flavor profile.

→ How do I adjust the sweetness of the drink?

Adjust the amount of simple syrup according to your taste preference, adding more or less as needed.

→ What is the best way to muddle the fruit?

Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently crush the raspberries and lime slices, releasing their juices without over-mashing.

→ What garnishes complement this drink best?

Fresh mint leaves and extra lime wedges enhance the drink's citrusy freshness and presentation.