Spritz cocktails are the most popular Aperitivo drinks, not only in Italy. Usually, they all contain alcohol, so not everyone is able to enjoy them.
But unlike many other cocktails, it's easy to turn a regular Aperol Spritz into a non-alcohol drink. Of course, there's no Aperol in this one. But something that's pretty close to it. It even comes from the same company.
The key ingredient is called Crodino (the red one), a quite famous non-alcoholic bitter aperitif that works excellently as a replacement for Aperol. Paired with alcohol-free Prosecco and chilled soda water, it turns our non-alcoholic Spritz into a real treat.
If you can't get your hands on Crodino, there's a great alternative called Sanbitter, bot of them are excellent Aperol alternatives.
Making this Spritz Alcohol-Free
Replacing the bitter is only one part of the solution for our tasty Spritz Mocktail, although the main one. The second part is the sparkling wine - the Prosecco.
I prefer to make this non-alcoholic drink with an Italian alternative to standard Prosecco. My favorite one is Bosca 'Toselli' Spumante which is inexpensive - when you can get it. The problem is that it's almost impossible to come by in the US.
But don't worry, you can use other products, too. One fantastic option is Fre Brut Non-alcoholic Champagne from Sutter Home. It is a bit more expensive, but one of the best alcohol-free Champagne alternatives you can get.
Keeping the Classic Spritz Ratio
Most Spritzes follow the same template established by the Campari Group in order to promote the Aperol Spritz: 3 - 2 - 1.
That means a classic Spritz is made with three parts Prosecco, two parts bitter, and one part soda water. All ingredients need to be properly chilled, but that's all it takes to make a delicious Spritz.
In our case, the first two ingredients are non-alcoholic, but the template remains the same. Quite easy to remember, right? And besides the measurements, the 3-2-1 formula also provides the order in which the ingredients go into the glass.
First, add a few ice cubes to your glass and then add three parts alcohol-free Prosecco (or another NA sparkling wine), then two parts Crodino or Sanbitter, and then add one part of chilled soda water. Garnish with a slice of orange, and your Virgin version of a Spritz is ready to be served.
Equipment
- 1 Jigger
Ingredients
- 2.25 oz Fre Brut Non-alcoholic Champagne - (or Bosca 'Toselli' Spumante, if you can get it)
- 1.5 oz Crodino - (or Sanbitter)
- 0.75 oz Chilled soda water
- 1 slice Orange - (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add 5-6 ice cubes into a wine glass and pour your NA Prosecco alternative over it.2.25 oz Fre Brut Non-alcoholic Champagne
- Pour Crodino into your drink in a spiral movement to help mix the ingredients.1.5 oz Crodino
- Top up with chilled soda water and garnish with a slice of Orange.0.75 oz Chilled soda water, 1 slice Orange