Drinks Nonalcoholic Drinks Seltz Limone e Sale (Seltzer with Lemon and Sea Salt) 4.7 (9) 9 Reviews A fizzy lemon drink from the streets of Catania is the ultimate refresher. By Lucy Simon Lucy Simon Lucy Simon is a New York-based wine, spirits, and food writer has been with Food & Wine since the spring of 2021. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 25, 2024 Tested by Liz Mervosh Tested by Liz Mervosh Elizabeth Mervosh is a recipe tester and developer for Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. She creates and fine-tunes recipes for brands including Southern Living, Real Simple, Food & Wine, People, and EatingWell. Meet the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by PRISSY LEE MONTIEL Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 1 Jump to recipe A popular drink at many chioscos in Sicily, this simple Italian spritz is used to hydrate on hot days. In it, crisp and effervescent water is mixed with lemon juice and Sicilian sea salt. Harvested from the Mediterranean sea, this mineral-rich salt brings a clean, oceanlike flavor to the refreshing drink, says cookbook author Khushbu Shah. If you can’t find Sicilian sea salt, regular fine sea salt or kosher salt may also be used. Just know that you might miss out on some of the prized briny flavor. "There is something about this drink — a seltz limone e sale — that is almost as medicinal as it is refreshing," says Shah. "Perhaps it’s the icy-cold temperature, the plethora of bubbles, the hint of salt, or how fresh the lemons are. But a few sips in, any painful fullness from dinner all but dissipates into a comfortable lull — something even a glass of the bitterest amaro isn’t always able to accomplish." Heads up, the drink does foam a bit when stirred! Frequently Asked Questions Is lemon salt water good for you? This hydrating drink is a thirst-quenching beverage that’s best enjoyed after a day spent in the sun. Lemons contain soluble fiber, so the fresh juice has cleansing benefits that may aid digestion and improve your overall gut health. The salt also adds electrolytes to the drink, making it a great way to rehydrate after a day spent seaside. What is the benefit of Mediterranean sea salt? Aside from transporting your taste buds to Sicily, this type of sea salt is harvested from the Mediterranean Sea and is said to contain significantly less sodium than regular table salt. Plus, this flavorful salt contains good-for-you minerals such as iodine. Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, not the store-bought bottled stuff, for the best flavor. Sicilian sea salt is available at most specialty stores or online. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1 ounce fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Sicilian sea salt (such as Spicewalla) 8 ounces chilled seltzer water Directions Stir together lemon juice and salt in an ice-filled highball glass until salt dissolves, about 15 seconds. Top with seltzer water; stir. Serve immediately. Originally appeared in Food & Wine magazine, May 2024 Rate It Print