Drink of the Week: Casamara Club Superclasico

Years before the Cambrian explosion of alcohol-free beverage options, Detroit-based Casamara Club started making what they dubbed “leisure sodas.” Their botanically laced beverages offered complex, not-too-sweet flavors perfect for when you wanted to sip something special, sans alcohol. Their original lineup even caught our attention back in early 2019 when the company (aka founders Erica Johnson and Jason LaValla) first began expanding beyond the Great Lakes region. Those years of experience are evident with their newest release, the supremely crushable Superclasico nonalcoholic aperitivo.

Similar to their other amaro-like botanical sodas, the Superclasico is made from whole ingredients, eschewing any “natural flavors” or alternative sweeteners. Italian chinotto (small, bitter oranges) and juniper create a bitter backbone. Red currant juice offers tart flavors and some tannic structure, while kola nut, vanilla, allspice, and clove build complexity. And the perfect amount of demerara cane sugar and lemon juice keeps everything balanced. Fizzy, bittersweet, and gently spiced, the Superclasico is now a go-to anytime I’m seeking a little leisure. $60/12-pack, casamaraclub.com