This Dirty Lemon Spritz is one of my favorite ways to make a non-alcoholic drink feel a little more sophisticated. I combine salty preserved lemon and olive brine with crisp tonic water and bubbly soda water for a refreshing mocktail that balances citrus, sweetness, bitterness, and savory flavors. I especially like serving it ice-cold with lemon slices and buttery Nocellara olives.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 preserved lemon, chopped
Fresh lemon slices
2 tablespoons olive brine
½ teaspoon sugar
Ice
150 mL tonic water
100 mL soda water
Nocellara olives, for garnish
Directions
I add the chopped preserved lemon, a few fresh lemon slices, olive brine, and sugar to the bottom of a cocktail shaker. I muddle everything thoroughly until the sugar dissolves and the lemons release their juices.
I fill two serving glasses with ice. Then I strain the muddled lemon mixture evenly between the glasses, pressing firmly on the solids so I can extract as much flavorful liquid as possible.
I add a few fresh lemon slices to each glass for an extra burst of citrus flavor and a bright presentation.
I divide the tonic water and soda water evenly between the two glasses. I stir each drink gently so the ingredients combine without losing too much carbonation.
Finally, I thread Nocellara olives onto cocktail sticks and use them to garnish each glass. I serve the spritz immediately while it is cold and sparkling.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 2 servings. I need about 10 minutes for preparation, there is no cooking time, and the total time is approximately 10 minutes.
Each serving contains approximately 55 calories, although the exact amount can vary depending on the tonic water, preserved lemon, and olive brine I use.
Variations
For a sweeter Dirty Lemon Spritz, I add a little more sugar or use simple syrup, which dissolves especially easily in the muddled lemon mixture.
When I want a stronger citrus flavor, I add extra fresh lemon juice or additional preserved lemon. If I prefer something less salty, I reduce the olive brine and compensate with a splash of fresh lemon juice.
I can also replace some of the soda water with additional tonic water when I want a more pronounced bittersweet flavor. For a lighter drink, I do the opposite and use more soda water and less tonic.
For an herbal variation, I like muddling in fresh basil, rosemary, or mint. The herbs work especially well with the savory preserved lemon and olive flavors.
Storage/Reheating
I think this Dirty Lemon Spritz tastes best immediately after I add the tonic and soda water because that is when the carbonation is strongest.
If I want to prepare it ahead, I muddle and strain the preserved lemon, fresh lemon, olive brine, and sugar mixture and keep that base refrigerated in an airtight container. I wait to add the ice, tonic water, and soda water until just before serving.
I don’t reheat this drink. I serve it thoroughly chilled, preferably over plenty of fresh ice.
FAQs
What does a Dirty Lemon Spritz taste like?
I find the flavor bright, tangy, salty, slightly bitter, and subtly sweet. The preserved lemon and olive brine give the drink a savory character, while tonic and soda water make it crisp and refreshing.
What is preserved lemon?
Preserved lemon is lemon that has traditionally been cured with salt, which softens the fruit and develops a concentrated citrus flavor. I use it here because it gives the spritz more depth and a distinctive salty lemon taste.
Can I make this Dirty Lemon Spritz without tonic water?
Yes. When I don’t want tonic water, I replace it with additional soda water for a milder and less bitter drink. I sometimes add a little extra lemon juice or sugar afterward to adjust the balance.
Can I prepare this mocktail in advance?
I can prepare the lemon and olive-brine base ahead of time, but I don’t combine the entire drink in advance. I add the carbonated ingredients just before serving so the spritz stays fizzy.
Which olives work best for garnish?
I particularly like Nocellara olives because their mild, buttery flavor complements the salty citrus notes without overwhelming the drink. If I don’t have them, I use another good-quality green olive that I enjoy.
Conclusion
This Dirty Lemon Spritz is a quick mocktail I turn to when I want something sparkling but more interesting than a standard citrus soda. I love the unusual combination of preserved lemon and olive brine, especially when it is balanced with bittersweet tonic and refreshing soda water. With only about 10 minutes of preparation, I can make a sophisticated, alcohol-free drink that’s equally at home at a summer gathering, dinner party, or quiet afternoon.
📖 Recipe:
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Dirty Lemon Spritz
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A sophisticated non-alcoholic spritz combining salty preserved lemon and olive brine with crisp tonic and sparkling soda water. Bright, savory, bittersweet, and wonderfully refreshing.
Ingredients
1 preserved lemon, chopped
Fresh lemon slices
2 tablespoons olive brine
½ teaspoon sugar
Ice
150 mL tonic water
100 mL soda water
Nocellara olives, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the chopped preserved lemon, a few fresh lemon slices, olive brine, and sugar to a cocktail shaker. Muddle thoroughly until the sugar dissolves and the lemons release their juices.
- Fill two serving glasses with ice. Strain the muddled lemon mixture evenly between the glasses, pressing firmly on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Add a few fresh lemon slices to each glass.
- Divide the tonic water and soda water evenly between the two glasses. Stir gently to combine without losing too much carbonation.
- Thread Nocellara olives onto cocktail sticks and garnish each glass. Serve immediately while cold and sparkling.
Notes
For a sweeter spritz, add a little more sugar or substitute simple syrup.
For stronger citrus flavor, add fresh lemon juice or additional preserved lemon.
For a less salty drink, reduce the olive brine and add a splash of fresh lemon juice.
Use more tonic water for a stronger bittersweet flavor or more soda water for a lighter drink.
Fresh basil, rosemary, or mint can be muddled with the lemon for an herbal variation.
For a tonic-free version, replace the tonic water with additional soda water and adjust with lemon juice or sugar to taste.
The spritz is best served immediately. To prepare ahead, muddle and strain the lemon, olive brine, and sugar base and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Add ice and carbonated water just before serving.
Nocellara olives provide a mild, buttery garnish, but another good-quality green olive can be substituted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Muddled
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 spritz
- Calories: 55 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
