If an Aperol Spritz is your go-to drink for warm-weather happy hour, then we’ve got some good news for you. The NA version turned out to be really tasty. Here are three of the best non-alcoholic Aperol spritz drinks I’ve tried, what makes them different, and my favorite.
I love Aperol Spritz. It’s funny how a few years ago I didn’t even know about this drink, but now I see it everywhere. (Art prints, t-shirts, men’s shirts, tote bags, and slippers too!!) If an Aperol spritz is your go-to drink for warm-weather happy hour, you’re not alone. For that, we can thank The White Lotus season 2 (which is clearly the best season yet). The Sicily-set show featured the drink so prominently that Campari Group reported a 50% increase in U.S. sales in 2022.
I’ve been looking for non-alcoholic wine and beer for several years now, and because of the increasing popularity of this drink, you can now find quite a few non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz. Aperol Spritz in particular is one of the most searched mocktail swaps right now, and for good reason. The original has a relatively low alcohol content and is delicate enough in flavor to really come close to the excellent NA version.
I’ve long believed that frothy NA drinks taste more authentic than their still counterparts. The fizz adds that vibrancy that tricks your palate into thinking there’s something more interesting going on. All three of these shine, and that’s one of the reasons they work so well. Pour over ice and you have a happy hour drink. (You can also drink it straight from the can.)
After trying a few, here are the three I recommend. All of these are available from The Zero Proof.
What’s so good about NA Aperol Spritz?
The original Aperol Spritz has a bittersweet citrus aroma, a little herbal flavor, effervescence, and a hint of prosecco sweetness. Most NA Spritz alternatives emphasize citrus and fizz. The difference between the two is the bitter complexity and dryness of the finish.
My ranking: 3 non-alcoholic spritzes worth trying
#1: De Soie Spritz Italiano
It’s my top recommendation, along with Zero Proof’s bestsellers. De Soi has the perfect balance of bitter and orange. It tastes more like an aperitif than a mocktail. It has a bittersweet citrus scent, and the herbal notes round out the whole thing without being overpowering. Fun fact: De Soi was co-founded by Katy Perry.
Spritz Italiano is made with a base of white grape grapefruit juice, gentian root, and a botanical blend that gives it an authentic bittersweet character. Also, what makes this product stand out are the adaptogens like L-Theanine, Lion’s Mane, and Reishi, which are the same calming and functional ingredients I’ve seen in Recess and other NA drinks that I love. So it doesn’t just “taste like Aperol”, it has an actual functional element. This one is also a win for me because it has the fewest calories and the sugar comes from fruit.
Pour it into a wine glass over ice with an orange slice for a great look and taste.
Nutrition: 60 calories, 13g sugar (0g added sugar – all from fruit).
#2: Lila’s Amalfi Spritz
This is a close second place! I found this to be a little more bitter than de soie and had a slightly tonic quality, as it contains quinine, which gives tonic water its characteristic taste. If you like G&T, you’ll probably like this one. If you’re expecting pure orange sweetness, you might be surprised.
This is a ready-to-drink can. Lyre’s has combined the NA Italian Spritz with the NA Classico (prosecco alternatives are great too!). According to their website, the flavor is bittersweet orange and ripe peach, with rhubarb and elderflower finishing. I didn’t really notice the herbal scent, but I really liked it. Fine bubbles, classic orange-red color and can be poured over ice with orange slices.
Caution: Lyre’s formula in the US contains artificial food dyes (40 Red and 6 Yellow = Orange). That’s a big problem for some people.
Nutritional information: 70 calories, 16g carbohydrates (all with added sugar)
#3: ISH SpritzISH
It won the category champion award at the London Bartender Brand Awards and the three-star Great Taste Award (awarded to less than 2% of entries). Therefore, it has serious qualifications. The cans are super cute too!
The best way I can describe it is that it’s a melted orange popsicle, but with a nice bitterness underneath. It has the most vibrant and beautiful color of the three (almost neon orange) and has a strong bitterness, but the flavor profile is slightly different for me compared to the other two. Despite being made with natural ingredients, some of the finishes can look a bit artificial.
That being said, what if you can’t get De Soi or Lyre but find this? Definitely grab it. The color alone makes this wine an attention grabber when poured into a glass. I really liked all three of them!
It is also made with a base of gentian root and quassia bark (the bitter base of the same plant as lyra) and Italian citrus. Quinine is also present here, contributing to its slightly tonic feel.
Nutritional information: 80 calories, 18g carbohydrates
Honorable Mention: Recess Island Spritz
Even though it’s not really an Aperol Spritz replacement, I had to give Recess some compliments here. It has a more tropical flavor than Italian cuisine. Think pineapple and coconut with notes of hibiscus and rose hips. Delicious, but with a completely different atmosphere. If you want a drink that tastes like a vacation rather than an aperitif, this is the one for you.
What I like about it is that the nutrition is amazing. Only 35 calories, 7g of natural sugar (agave sweetener), plus adaptogens (L-theanine and lemon balm), and a small natural caffeine boost from guayusa. It has a slight sparkle and is really refreshing.
A note about sugar
All three are significantly lower than a real Aperol Spritz (approximately 150 to 170 calories and 13 grams of sugar), but they contain no added sugar. Depending on the brand, the amount of sugar is around 13-18g per can. To me it’s not a big deal – if you’re having a drink that comes with the territory.
Please brighten:
Dilute with orange carbonated water. Mixing half a can with regular orange sparkling water reduces the amount of sugar by about half while retaining all the flavor and effervescence. It still has a lot of flavor!
How to provide
Pour into a wide wine glass or balloon glass over large ice cubes and garnish with fresh orange slices (or olives, too, if you want to get that Italian aperitif vibe) Or straight from the chilled can – perfect for the pool or beach Add a drizzle of real Aperol. I know this is counterintuitive for an NA post. However, if you want a lighter cocktail (not zero alcohol), adding a little real Aperol to these cocktails will give you real warmth at a fraction of the normal alcohol content.
Non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz FAQ
What is Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz made of?
Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz replaces Aperol with a zero-proof aperitif and prosecco with NA sparkling wine or soda water. The goal is the same bittersweet citrus and herbal flavor as fizz, minus the alcohol. The ready-to-drink cans above do all the work. Some people have adaptogens.
Is NA Spritz really good?
yes! And it’s more convincing than most NA options (look at me, red wine!) The point is, the classic Aperol spritz has a relatively delicate flavor to begin with. Botanicals that produce that bittersweet profile, such as gentian root, citrus peel, and herbs, translate well into alcohol-free formulations.
Does it taste exactly like an Aperol Spritz?
Close, but not identical. It does have sugar, but it’s more bitter than sweet, which is what I want in a cocktail. They miss the warmth that alcohol brings. That being said, the best ones, like the three above, are truly satisfying, unlike older generations of NA drinks. Sparkling formats are especially helpful. Sparkling NA drinks tend to have a more authentic taste than their non-sparkling counterparts.
How many calories are in a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz?
A traditional Aperol Spritz has about 170 calories. The NA version has approximately 60 to 90 calories per can. De Soi is the lightest at 60 calories and has no added sugar.
Do non-alcoholic spritzes have sugar?
Depending on the brand, it’s usually 13-18g per can. This is less than a real Aperol spritz, and some (like Des Sois) get all their sugar from the fruit without added sugar. If you’re watching your sugar intake, diluting it with regular orange seltzer can reduce sugar without sacrificing your sugar intake.
Where can I buy an alternative to NA Aperol Spritz?
Zero Proof carries all three brands listed above and ships nationwide. You may also be able to find Lire at Whole Foods and specialty grocery stores.
If you haven’t tried the NA Spritz category yet, summer is the time to start. The ritual of cracking open something cold and bubbly at 5pm is half the purpose, and these will get you there without any regrets the next morning.
