Taste Test: Alcohol-Free Aperitifs

The now all-encompassing nonalcoholic category is leaving no drinkers behind regardless of beverage preference, including myriad options for aperitivo hour. From boldly bitter, botanically driven expressions to the bright and bittersweet doppelgängers of familiar brands, alcohol-free aperitifs offer easy-drinking options whether you’re assembling a simple spritz or experimenting with spirit-free mixology.

Everleaf Forest

A conservationist turned bar owner created Everleaf in the U.K. The three expressions (Marine, Mountain, and Forest) lean on botanical distillates and extracts to capture their namesake environments. The Forest aperitif is earthy with notes of wood, vanilla, and spice, with a slightly sweeter profile that would appeal to fans of brown spirits. Serve it with soda or tonic, or build it into a spirit-free cocktail. $33, everleafdrinks.us

Figlia Fiore

The flagship release from zero-proof aperitivo brand Figlia, Fiore is aromatic with baking spices and juicy orange, with a soft floral note. Made with real ingredients like white grape and black currant juices, ginger, citrus, and botanicals like rose, chamomile, and ginseng, Fiore can be sipped solo over ice, with just enough sweetness to balance the bitter profile. Or, add a splash of soda for a drier spritz. $43, drinkfiglia.com

Martini & Rossi Floreale

Leaning on generations of history crafting vermouth and aperitivi, Martini & Rossi takes the same approach to their NA line, launched in 2022. Made with de-alcoholized wine, the Floreale is then infused with botanicals like bitter artemisia and Roman chamomile for a lightly floral and bittersweet aperitif ideal for a simple spritz. $20.99, plummarket.com

Giffard Sirop Aperitif

The closest thing we’ve tried to a traditional red bitter liqueur, the aperitif syrup from Giffard is an NA option for those who want to replicate the bittersweet kick of Campari. Slightly viscous with flavors of bitter orange, gentian, and spice, the syrup is made for mixing, whether that’s with a splash of soda or in cocktails like a faux Negroni. $22, bittersandbottles.com

Wilderton Citrus Aperitivo

Based in Hood River, Oregon, nonalcoholic distillery Wilderton launched in 2019, focusing on botanically driven expressions made for spirit-free mixing. Their newest release is the Citrus Aperitivo. Leaning into a slightly sweeter profile, the aperitif is lush with citrus including orange, lemon, tangerine, and yuzu, with additions like coriander, clove, and saffron bringing complexity to the fresh profile. $36.99, wildertonaperitivo.co

Ghia Apéritif

The original release from Ghia is unabashedly bold and bitter, with a botanical, tea-like aroma complemented with citrus and spice. Leaning on juices like white grape, yuzu, and plum, with sweetness from dates to balance the gentian root, Ghia is a concentrated aperitif that works best mixed with bubbles for a delicately tart and bitter spritz. $38, drinkghia.com