Best low and no alcohol aperitifs: 10 non-alcoholic pre-dinner drinks

An appreciation for bitter and refreshing pre-dinner cocktails is riding high (the rise and rise of the Negroni might have played a part in this). But should you be abstaining from alcohol, you no longer have to forgo these flavours. That’s thanks to a new wave of low and no alcohol aperitifs.

For a lighter, alcohol-free drink when sharing snacks or a toast with friends, these days, you can take your pick. There are even offerings on the shelves from the likes of the Campari Group, who produce drinks well known for playing their part in the ubiquitous Aperol Spritz and in that aforementioned red-hued aperitif, the Negroni. So perhaps it’s time for a Nogroni, instead?

Indeed, at the IWSC’s low and no awards, Campari’s Crodino aperitif was hailed for its ‘attractive, bitter-sweet flavour profile.’

Botivo alcohol-free aperitif — 'An explosion of flavours': Botivo's botanicals packed a punch for the judges

Lovers of a bitter orange hum to their pre-dinner beverage are spoilt for choice, with Amarico from Italy and Polly from Germany proving popular with the judges and truly representing the international appeal of this style of aperitif right now.

For those feeling a bit more adventurous when it comes to aperitivo hour, the top-scorer from this year’s IWSC was Botivo, which judges praised for its sharp, spiced nose and its herbaceous, peppery palate.

All low and no alcohol drinks were assessed at a dedicated tasting, with a panel led by drinks expert and consultant Clarie Warner on the judging committee. Read on to discover the best low and no alcohol aperitifs from the IWSC 2023.

amarico non-alcoholic aperitif — Amarico boasts a balance of bitter and sweet notes that lovers of an aperitif will be more than familiar with

HOW DO WE JUDGE THESE LOW AND NO ALCOHOL DRINKS?

We run a tightly structured, rigorous low and no alcohol tasting process. That means that each drink sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC low and no judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the alcohol-free drinks industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.

HOW DO WE SCORE THESE LOW AND NO ALCOHOL DRINKS?

Only the best low and no alcohol drinks sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, spirits have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver winners range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.

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