The Non-Alcoholic Spritz Recipe
for your table
Generously fill a large spritz or wine glass with ice.
Pour in the non-alcoholic bubbles first.
Add the bitter aperitif and top up with soda.
Stir once and garnish with orange - and, for the adventurous, a green olive, as in Venice.
The story
Premium non-alcoholic drinks are the most striking beverage trend of the moment: from 'zebra striping' between alcoholic and 0.0 drinks to complete non-alcoholic menus in better hospitality venues. The aperitivo category led the way - Italian producers brought non-alcoholic bitters to market that surprisingly closely approach the classic orange-and-herbal bitterness, and virtually every prosecco house now has a 0.0 sparkling variant. The result: the non-alcoholic spritz is no longer a compromise but a full-fledged order, all year round.
The right glass
Serve the 0.0 spritz in exactly the same glass as the original: a large spritz glass or balloon glass of approximately 49 to 58 cl on a stem. With non-alcoholic drinks in particular, a full presentation is half the work - nobody wants a small juice glass while everyone else at the table is raising large glasses. Same glass, same toast, same photo. A large stemmed wine glass works just as well for a spritz; see our wine glasses.
RCR Timeless Spritz Glass 49 cl (6 pieces)
RCR Alkemist Gin and Tonic Glass 58 cl (6 pieces)
Both sets — together € 89,90.
The right tools
For an Alcohol-Free Spritz, use a bar spoon alongside the glass for stirring and a jigger for precise measuring. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 2 bar tools — together € 65,85.
Variations & twists
Every 0.0 bitter tastes different: try a few and choose your house style. With alcohol-free elderflower syrup and 0.0 sparkling wine, you can make a Hugo version; with verjus, a gastronomic variation. The olive garnish from Venice works here too - savoury flavours keep it grown-up. Looking for more inspiration? Browse more than 100 cocktail recipes.
Servingtip
Try different 0.0 bitters: they vary considerably in sweetness and herbal character. An extra splash of soda and an olive make it drier and more 'authentic' - the goal is aperitivo, not lemonade.
Which 0.0 bitter should you choose
Crodino is the best known and comes closest to the original: Italian, herbal and with a distinct bitter finish. Martini Vibrante is drier and more citrusy, and works well if you want to counter the sweetness of alcohol-free sparkling wine. Lyre's Italian Spritz comes closest in colour, but is considerably sweeter. Whatever you choose, stick to 6 cl and taste it neat with an ice cube first. Brands differ much more from one another here than regular Aperol does, so that one sip beforehand determines whether you add extra soda.
Calories and sugar in the glass
An alcohol-free spritz contains roughly 90 to 130 calories per glass, compared with around 180 for the version with Aperol and prosecco. The savings come from the alcohol, not the sugar: most 0.0 bitters and alcohol-free sparkling wines actually contain slightly more residual sugar, because sugar has to replace the body lost when the alcohol is removed. If you choose an alcohol-free sparkling wine labelled brut or extra dry, you can easily save fifteen grams of sugar per bottle. More soda and a little less bitter aperitif brings it down further.
Alcohol-Free Limoncello Spritz
Replace the bitter aperitif with 6 cl alcohol-free limoncello or lemon syrup with a splash of fresh lemon juice, and keep the rest of the build exactly the same: 9 cl alcohol-free sparkling wine, 3 cl soda and a glass full of ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and, if desired, a sprig of mint. This version is sweeter and fresher than the orange spritz and is often better suited to guests who are not used to bitterness. Taste before serving, because alcohol-free limoncello varies greatly in sweetness, and half a centiliter less already makes a difference.
For a group: calculate per bottle
One 75 cl bottle of alcohol-free sparkling wine makes eight glasses, so plan on one bottle per four to five guests if refills are offered. Chill the bottles for at least four hours in advance and fill the glasses with ice only when you pour. Do not mix in advance in a pitcher: the bubbles will be gone within half an hour, leaving you with sweetened syrup. What does work is a bowl with ice, sliced orange and the bottles within reach, so guests can maintain the ratio themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Which alcohol-free drink is similar to Aperol Spritz?
An alcohol-free bitter aperitif such as Crodino or a 0.0 bitter aperitif comes closest to Aperol. Combine 6 cl of it with 9 cl alcohol-free sparkling wine and 3 cl soda, and you have the same orange color, the same citrus-herbal bitterness and the same aperitivo feeling, only without alcohol.
What is in an alcohol-free Aperol Spritz?
An alcohol-free Aperol Spritz contains five things: 6 cl alcohol-free bitter aperitif, 9 cl alcohol-free sparkling wine, 3 cl soda water, half an orange slice and plenty of ice. The proportions remain exactly the same as the original; only the base is replaced with 0.0 alternatives.
How do you make a 0.0 Aperol Spritz?
Fill a large glass generously with ice, pour in the alcohol-free sparkling wine first, then add the 0.0 bitter aperitif and top with soda. Stir once and garnish with orange. Serve in the same large glass as the original; see our Aperol Spritz glasses.
How do I make an alcohol-free limoncello spritz?
Replace the bitter aperitif with alcohol-free limoncello or a lemon syrup with some fresh lemon, and keep the rest of the build the same: 9 cl alcohol-free sparkling wine, 3 cl soda, plenty of ice and a lemon slice. Sweeter and fresher than the orange version, with exactly the same ritual.
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