As the weather heats up, we think about food and travel. Tuscan Women Cook, the week-long culinary immersion vacation, loves to celebrate spring Italian style.
This time of year Italy is full of surprises, including a stroll over vibrant carpets of colored blossoms during May and June at the Infiorata festivals held in various Italian towns.
* This post contains affiliate links. Recipes reprinted and used with permission.
Tuscan Women Cook guests don’t just come to Tuscany to cook and eat. Many guests come for the wine. Tuscan Women Cook is located in the heart of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano country, and borders on the Chianti wine region so they know wine.
Citrusy Spring Spritz Recipe
* Recipe makes 2 servings
In Italy Limoncello is served as an after-meal digestive. A “spritz” is a before meal cocktail, which is typically consumed with peanuts and potato chips in Italy. So, we combined the “before” and “after” to create this light, delicious cocktail that can be served either before or after your meal. Cin Cin!
2 ounces limoncello (substitute: homemade sweetened lemonade)
8 ounces Prosecco
sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
lemon and/or another citrus, sliced
fresh mint sprigs
ice, crushed
Split the Prosecco and limoncello between two tall glasses. Add mint sprigs, ice, and sparkling water to the top. Garnish with citrus slices.
Tip: Muddle some of the mint with the limoncello for a stronger flavor.
Tip 2: In place of the limoncello, try your hand at making pompelmocello (grapefruit) or arancello rosso (blood orange) liqueur. Serve this Spring Spritz with this quick and easy appetizer.
Here’s a bonus recipe that’s super-easy to make!
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates Recipe
Remove the pit form the date and stuff with an almond or a little blue cheese. Wrap the date with a slice of prosciutto and lay on parchment paper or a silpat.
Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes until the prosciutto becomes crispy.
I think drinks with lemon are perfect for the summer. I would love to make both of these recipes for my family and friends.
A hot day for us today and this sounds like it would hit the spot. I am a fan of limoncello.
Lemon and summer go together. Looks tasty.
I want the Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates. that sounds so good. Add the drink and I will be set. Thanks for sharing.
This would be so perfect for a summer get together. The drink sounds so refreshing and something I have never heard of my friends would be so impressed. The bacon wrapped dates sounds so yummy thanks for sharing these amazing recipes.
This sounds delicious! I am going to give it a try.
That drink and the wrapped and stuffed dates sound incredible! And the glassware is gorgeous! I think this would be great for an elegant occasion!
I love a good cocktail! This one sounds delicious and I have to try this.
I’m a big fan of anything lemon flavored. This sounds tasty.