The recipe
for your table
Fill a large spritz or wine glass generously with ice.
Pour in the alcohol-free sparkling wine first.
Add the bitter aperitif and top up with soda water.
Stir once and garnish with orange—and, for the adventurous, a green olive, as in Venice.
The story
Premium alcohol-free drinks are the most striking beverage trend of the moment: from “zebra striping” between alcoholic and 0.0 drinks to entirely alcohol-free menus in high-end hospitality. The aperitivo category led the way—Italian producers launched alcohol-free bitters that come surprisingly close to the classic orange-and-herb bitterness, and by now virtually every prosecco house has a 0.0 sparkling alternative. The result: the alcohol-free spritz is no longer a compromise but a fully-fledged order, all year round.
The right glass
Serve the 0.0 spritz in exactly the same type of glass as the original: a large spritz glass or balloon glass of approximately 49 to 58 cl on a stem. Especially with alcohol-free drinks, a full-size presentation makes all the difference—no one wants a small juice glass while the rest of 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 Tonic / Balloon Glass 58 cl (6 pieces)
Both sets—€ 84.90 together, with free shipping from € 50.
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—savory flavours keep it grown-up. Looking for more inspiration? Browse all 80 cocktail recipes.
Servingtip
Taste several 0.0 bitters: they differ considerably in sweetness and herbal character. An extra splash of soda water 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 option 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 counteract the sweetness of alcohol-free sparkling wine. Lyre's Italian Spritz comes closest in colour, but is considerably sweeter. Whichever 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 should add extra soda water.
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 saving comes 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 alcohol is removed. If you choose an alcohol-free sparkling wine labelled brut or extra dry, that can quickly save fifteen grams of sugar per bottle. More soda water and a little less bitter aperitif lowers it further.
Alcohol-free limoncello spritz
Replace the bitter aperitif with 6 cl of alcohol-free limoncello or lemon syrup with a splash of fresh lemon juice, and keep the rest of the proportions exactly the same: 9 cl alcohol-free sparkling wine, 3 cl soda water, and a glass full of ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and, optionally, a sprig of mint. This version is sweeter and fresher than the orange spritz and is often more appealing to guests who are not used to bitter flavours. Taste before serving, as alcohol-free limoncello varies widely in sweetness, and half a centilitre less can already make 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 for every four to five guests if refills are being served. Chill the bottles for at least four hours in advance and only fill the glasses with ice when you pour. Do not mix in advance in a pitcher: the fizz will be gone within half an hour, leaving you with sweetened syrup. What does work is a bowl with ice, sliced oranges and the bottles within easy reach, so guests can maintain the proportions 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 get the same orange color, the same orange-and-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 proportions 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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