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The Italian apéritif, minus the booze. Bitter orange, bubbles, and a slice of orange. The exact same ritual without the rattled morning after.
Ingredients
- 60 ml non-alcoholic bitter aperitif Lyre’s Italian Orange, Ghia, or Sanbitter
- 90 ml Sparkling Water
- 15 ml Orange Juice
- 1 Orange Slice
- 1 g Olive optional, for authenticity
- Ice Wine
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice.
- Pour in the non-alcoholic bitter aperitif.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Add the orange juice and stir gently.
- Garnish with an orange slice and an olive if you want to commit to the bit.
Notes
The non-alcoholic aperitif is the whole game. Lyre's Italian Orange is the closest flavour match to real Aperol. Ghia is more herbal and complex. Sanbitter is cheap and widely available.
The olive is optional but adds a savoury note that balances the bitter-sweet.
How to make a Virgin Aperol Spritz
The Italian apéritif, minus the booze. Bitter orange, bubbles, and a slice of orange. The exact same ritual without the rattled morning after.
Ingredients
- 60ml non-alcoholic bitter aperitif (Lyre's Italian Orange, Ghia, or Sanbitter)
- 90ml sparkling water or tonic water
- 15ml fresh orange juice
- 1 orange slice
- 1 green olive (optional, for authenticity)
- Ice large wine glass full
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice.
- Pour in the non-alcoholic bitter aperitif.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Add the orange juice and stir gently.
- Garnish with an orange slice and an olive if you want to commit to the bit.
Three notes worth knowing
The non-alcoholic aperitif is the whole game. Lyre's Italian Orange is the closest flavour match to real Aperol. Ghia is more herbal and complex. Sanbitter is cheap and widely available.
The olive is optional but adds a savoury note that balances the bitter-sweet.
When to drink a Virgin Aperol Spritz
Any time you want the ritual without the aftermath. Brunch, post-work, Dry January, designated driver, pregnancy, or just not in the mood to drink tonight.
