If Aperol Spritz is your warm-weather happy hour drink, good news: the NA versions have gotten pretty good. Here are three of the best non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz soft drinks I tried, what makes each different and my favorite choice!
I love an Aperol Spritz. It’s funny that a few years ago I didn’t even know about this drink and now you see them everywhere! (Even art prints, t-shirts, men’s shirts, totesand slippers!!) If Aperol Spritz is your hot weather drink, you’re not alone. You can thank The White Lotus Season 2 for this (which is obviously the best season so far). Set in Sicily, the show showcased the drink so strongly that the Campari Group reported a 50% increase in US sales in 2022!
I’ve been exploring non-alcoholic wine and beers for a few years now, and since the drink is becoming more popular, you can now find quite a few non-alcoholic Aperol spritzers! The Aperol Spritz in particular is one of the most sought-after mocktail swaps right now — and for good reason. The original is relatively low ABV, meaning the flavor is subtle enough that a good NA version can really come close.
I’ve long believed that NA sparkling drinks taste more authentic than still — the foam adds that liveliness that tricks your palate into thinking something more interesting is going on. All three of these are shimmery, which is part of why they work so well. Pour them over ice and you have a proper happy hour drink. (Drinking straight from the can also works.)
After trying many, here are the three I would point you to, all available Zero proof.
What makes a good NA Aperol Spritz?
The original Aperol Spritz is bittersweet citrus, a little herbal, sparkling and slightly sweet from the Prosecco. Most NA spritz alternatives nail the citrus and fizz. Where they diverge is the bitter complexity and how dry the finish is.
My ranking: Three non-alcoholic sprinkles worth trying
#1: De Soi Spritz Italiano
My top pick, as a bestseller from Zero Proof. De Soi nails the balance of bitter and orange the best. It really feels like an aperitivo, not a mocktail. The bittersweet citrus is present and the herbal notes round it out without being overwhelming. Fun fact: De Soi co-founded Katy Perry!
Spritz Italiano is built on white grapefruit juice, gentian root and a botanical blend that gives it a real bittersweet character. What also sets it apart are adaptogens like L-theanine, lion’s mane and reishi mushroom, the same calming functional ingredients I’ve seen in Recess and other NA drinks I love. So there’s an actual functional ingredient beyond just “tastes like Aperol.” This wins for me too because it has the fewest calories and the sugar is from fruit.
Pour it into a wine glass over ice with an orange slice and it looks as good as it tastes.
Nutrition: 60 calories, 13 grams of sugar (0 grams of added sugar — all from fruit).
#2: Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz
This is a close second! This leans a bit more bitter than De Soi, and I noticed a slight tonic quality to it, which makes sense because it contains quinine, which is what gives tonic water its characteristic bite. If you love a G&T, you’ll probably love what’s in this. If you’re expecting an orange sweetness, it might surprise you.
This is a ready-to-drink can — Lyre’s has combined NA Italian Spritz with theirs NA Classico (their Prosecco alternative which is also great!) According to their website, the flavor is bittersweet orange and ripe peach with rhubarb and elderberry on the finish. I didn’t really detect the herbs that much, but I loved it! Fine bubbles, classic orange-red color, and holds perfectly poured over ice with an orange slice.
One note: Lyre’s American formulation contains artificial food dyes (Red 40 and Yellow 6 = orange color). This is a dealbreaker for some people.
Nutrition: 70 calories and 16 grams of sugar (all added sugar)
#3: ISH SpritzISH
This won the Category Champion award at the Bartenders Brand Awards in London and a 3 Star Great Taste Award (given to less than 2% of entries). So he has serious credentials. It is also the most beautiful box!
The best way I can describe it: a molten orange orange but with a good bitterness underneath. It has the most vibrant, beautiful color of the three (almost neon orange) and the bitterness is solid, but the flavor profile is slightly different for me compared to the other two. There’s something about the finish that feels a little artificial, even though it’s made from natural ingredients.
That said, if De Soi or Lyre’s isn’t available and you spot it? Definitely grab it. The color alone makes it a show in a glass. I really liked all three!
Also built on gentian root and pseudobark (the same bittering botanical base as Lyre’s) and Italian citrus. Quinine is also present here, contributing to that light tonic note.
Nutrition: 80 calories and 18 g of sugar
Honorable Mention: Recess Island Spritz
I had to give a shout out to Recess here, even though it’s not really an Aperol Spritz alternative – it tastes more tropical than Italian. Think pineapple-coconut with a hint of hibiscus and rose, which is delicious but a completely different vibe. If you want something reminiscent of a holiday rather than an aperitivo, this is your drink.
What I love about it: the nutrition is fantastic. Only 35 calories and 7 grams of natural sugar (agave sweetener), plus adaptogens – L-theanine and lemon balm – and a little natural caffeine boost from guayusa. It’s slightly shimmery and really refreshing.
A note on sugar
While all three are a significant step below an actual Aperol Spritz (about 150-170 calories, 13 grams of sugar), they’re not sugar-free. The range is about 13–18 grams of sugar per can, depending on the brand. That’s not a big deal to me – if I’m having a drink that comes with the territory.
Light it up:
Dilute with orange water. Mixing half a can with some plain orange sparkling water cuts the sugar in about half while retaining all the flavor and fizz. The taste is still there!
How to serve them
- Pour over a large ice cube or cubes in a wide wine glass or balloon glass
- Garnished with a fresh slice of orange (and an olive if you want to lean into the Italian aperitivo atmosphere)
- Or straight from the frozen can – perfect for the pool or beach
- Add a splash of real Aperol. NA post fix, I know! But if you just want a lighter cocktail (not zero alcohol), adding a small amount of real Aperol to any of these gives you that authentic warmth at a fraction of the usual alcohol content.
Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz Frequently Asked Questions
What is a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz made of?
A non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz trades Aperol for a zero aperitif and Prosecco for an NA sparkling wine or soda. The goal is the same bittersweet citrus and herbal flavor with foam, minus the alcohol. The ready-to-eat cans above do all that for you. Some also have adaptogens.
Are NA spritzes really good?
Yes! And more convincing than most NA options (I’m looking at you, red wine!) The key is that a classic Aperol Spritz initially has a relatively subtle taste. The botanicals that create this bittersweet profile—gentian root, citrus peel, herbs—translate well to alcohol-free concoctions.
Do they taste exactly like an Aperol Spritz?
Close, but not identical. Even though they contain sugar, it’s more bitter than sweet, which is what I want in a cocktail. They lack that warmth that alcohol provides. That said, the best ones – like the three above – are really satisfying in a way that previous generation NA drinks weren’t. Sparkling helps especially: NA sparkling drinks tend to taste more authentic than still.
How many calories in a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz?
A traditional Aperol Spritz has around 170 calories. NA versions range from about 60–90 calories per can. De Soi is the lightest at 60 calories and has no added sugar.
Do non-alcoholic spritzes have sugar?
They do — usually 13–18 grams per can, depending on the brand. This is less than a true Aperol Spritz, and some (like De Soi) get all their sugar from unsweetened fruit. If you’re watching your sugar intake, diluting it with plain orange ale is a great way to reduce it without sacrificing the experience.
Where can you buy NA Aperol Spritz alternatives?
Zero proof carries all three brands above and ships nationwide. You can also sometimes find Lyre’s at Whole Foods or specialty grocers.
If you haven’t tried the NA spritz class yet, summer is the time to start. The ritual of cracking open something cold and bubbly at 5 p.m.
