Non alcoholic Spritz: how to make a delicious alcohol free Aperol Spritz inspired drink
Non alcoholic spritz: an Alcohol free Aperol Spritz inspired recipe. Learn how to make a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz, the perfect Italian mocktail for all occasions.
Aperol Spritz is the most famous Italian aperitivo drink but it is an alcoholic one so it is not for everyone.
However, turning this Italian classic into a mocktail is easy and the result is amazingly tasty!
For this alcohol free Aperol spritz recipe, the main thing you need is orange juice and a non alcoholic bitter such as the delightful Sanbitter (this is the brand name of San Pellegino Bitter, and comes in two types: red and white) or Crodino, also wonderful.
They are usually found in Italian specialty shops or, occasionally, you may have to by them online.
They are usually sold in mono portions mini bottles, that are perfect for fuss free and mistake free mocktails and they are also perfect tasted on their own, served with ice!
Related: learn here >>> how to say ‘cheers’ in Italian
Can you make a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz?
‘Aperol Spritz’ and ‘Spritz’ are terms often used interchangeably, the Aperol version of spritz being the most common – in Italy, if you don’t specify what type of spritz you want, you are most likely to get an Aperol Spritz.
However, the two terms are not synonyms.
Spritz is generic term that indicated a cocktail made with prosecco and tonic water or soda.
Aperol, one the other hand, is the brand name of a specific alcoholic bitter so, technically, once you take it away, you don’t have a real Aperol Spritz but rather a non alcoholic Aperol spritz inspired drink!
This may seem a technicality and partially it is however, it is good to know about it, especially if you are serving this mocktail to people who cannot take Aperol in any form.
Basically, there is no such thing as a real alcohol free Aperol Spritz!
What you can have, is a lower alcohol Aperol spritz or a non alcoholic Spritz yet for ease, the name ‘non alcoholic Aperol Spritz’ prevails!
Low Alcohol Aperol spritz recipe
If you want a low alcohol but not an alcohol free spritz, you can use Aperol soda.
Aperol Soda is the most common alternative in non alcoholic Aperol spritz recipes however, it is not actually alcohol free but has a 3% alcoholic content.
While this is much lighter than the full version of Aperol, it is not suitable for anyone who must avoid alcohol, pregnant women and minors.
It is however delightful so if you are looking for a low alcoholic cocktail, this makes a great one!
If you want to use it for a low alcohol Aperol spritz, you mix 3 parts of orange juice, 2 of Aperol soda and 1 of tonic water
Non Alcoholic Spritz ingredients
If you want to make sure you spritz is alcohol free, then the recipe to follow calls for:
- 3 parts orange juice
- 2 parts non alcoholic bitter
- 1 part soda or tonic water
- Ice cubes
- A slice of orange or lemon to decorate
Good non alcoholic bitters for this alcohol free Spritz recipe
Good non alcoholic bitters you can consider for this recipe are Sanbitter Rosso and Crodino, both Italian traditional alcohol free drinks popular for aperitivo either on their own or as mixers for cocktails.
How to make this alcohol free Aperol Spritz inspired recipe
Add ice cubes to a tall wine glass, then pour the orange juice, your non-alcoholic bitter and finally top up with soda water.
Stir well, decorate with a slice of orange, a straw and serve immediately.
Alcohol Free Aperol Spriz Recipe
This alcohol free Aperol Spritz recipe is the perfect mocktail recipe if you love a classic spritz but want or need to avoid its alcoholic content.
In this version, you substitute prosecco for orange juice and opt for a non alcoholic bitter such as Sanbitter, which adds the aromatic taste of the bitter without adding alcohol content.
Need to know! Aperol is the brand name of a specific type of Bitter so one you take it away, you don't have a real Aperol Spriz but a non alcoholic Aperol spritz inspired recipe.
If you want to maintain the Aperol, you can opt for Aperol Soda instead of non alcoholic bitter but please be advised that in that case you have a low alcohol and not a fully alcohol free spritz as Aperol Soda has a 3% alcohol content.
Ingredients
- 3 parts orange juice
- 2 parts non alcoholic bitter
- 1 part tonic water
- Ice
- Orange slice for decorating the glass.
Instructions
In a wine glass, put your ice cubes and then slowly add the non alcoholic bitter and the soda. Stir well, decorate with a slice of orange or lemon and served immediately.
A bit of history: what is Aperol spritz?
Spritz is a type of drink that sees a mix of wine (usually Italian prosecco) and soda water or tonic water.
The origins of the drink seem to date back to the 1800s, when Venice and the North east of Italy was under Austrian domination.
The story goes that the Austrian soldiers stations in Veneto did not like the local wine and could only stomach it if diluted with waters, so they started adding a dash soda to it.
The use of diluting the wine took hold and when, much later, the bitter Aperol came to the market, all it tool was a moment of cocktail creativity to add it, literally, to the mix.
The result was so delicious, it quickly became very popular and from Venice quickly reached the rest of Italy, becoming one of the country’s favorite drinks is not the most favorite of all.
I hope you enjoy this alcohol free Aperol Spritz inspired recipe. Happy sipping!
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Marta Correale
Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way.
