It's 6pm, the sun is still high, and someone asks: "What shall we drink?"
The non-alcoholic spritz is the answer. Orange, bitter, fizzy, photogenic — it captures the spirit of a sunny terrace in a single glass. And today's 0% alternatives are so good that you have to pay close attention to tell them apart from the original.
At Gueule de Joie, we stock four different non-alcoholic spritz bases — and we've tested them all in real conditions (terrace, sunshine, 27°C). Here are our 3 favourite recipes.
Non-alcoholic spritz — in brief 6cl of non-alcoholic bitter base · 9cl of non-alcoholic sparkling · 3cl of sparkling water. Large copa glass filled with ice cubes, garnished with a half-slice of orange. Our favourite bases: Nona Spritz (27 botanicals), Lyre's Italian Spritz, Sober Spirits Spritz.
What makes a good spritz (with or without alcohol)
The spritz rests on a balance between three elements: bitterness (bitter base), bubbles (prosecco or sparkling), and freshness (sparkling water + ice + orange). The IBA ratio is 3-2-1: 3 parts sparkling, 2 parts bitter, 1 part sparkling water. The same ratio applies in the non-alcoholic version.
Recipe 1 · The Classic Spritz
With Nona Spritz — the most authentic base
Ingredients:
- 6 cl of Nona Spritz (27 botanicals)
- 9 cl of non-alcoholic sparkling wine (or fine sparkling water)
- 3 cl of sparkling water
- Ice cubes (fill the glass)
- 1 half-slice of orange + 1 green olive (optional)
Preparation: large copa glass filled with ice. Nona first, then sparkling, then sparkling water — always pouring along the side of the glass. One stir. Orange.
Nona Spritz is distilled from 27 plants and botanicals, with a natural bitterness (gentian, rhubarb) that mimics Aperol without copying it. It's the most authentic base — deep, complex, not sweet.
💡 The wine merchant's tip: always pour in this order — base, sparkling, sparkling water. Doing it the other way round breaks the bubbles before the glass is even ready. And just one stir: beyond that, you lose the carbonation.
The perfect pairing: artisan crisps, marinated olives, breadsticks. The bitterness of the Nona calls for salty flavours — it's the classic balance of the Italian aperitivo.
→ Our non-alcoholic spritz selection
Recipe 2 · The Bitter Lemon Spritz
With Lyre's — for those who find Aperol too bitter
Ingredients:
- 6 cl of Lyre's Italian Spritz
- 9 cl of Lyre's Classico (non-alcoholic prosecco)
- 2 cl of fresh pink grapefruit juice
- Ice cubes + 1 slice of grapefruit + rosemary
The grapefruit juice adds a bright acidity that enhances the natural bitterness of Lyre's. The rosemary, clapped between your hands, brings a herbal note. It's the ideal spritz for those who find classic Aperol too intense.
💡 The wine merchant's tip: clap the rosemary between your palms before placing it in the glass. This releases the essential oils — the aroma goes from decorative to truly present on the palate.
The perfect pairing: a varied tapas platter, quality charcuterie, soft-rind cheeses. The acidity of the grapefruit holds up very well against rich, salty flavours.
→ Lyre's Italian Spritz · Lyre's Classico
Recipe 3 · The Ready-to-Drink Spritz
With ISH Spritz — the 75cl format for larger gatherings
ISH Spritz (75cl) is a complete ready-to-drink spritz, born in Copenhagen in 2018 and now available in 15 countries. Its profile: bitterness of French gentian and quassia, freshness of Italian citrus fruits (mandarin, orange, lemon), and a spicy note of chilli husk distillate. Complex, balanced, not sweet.
Pour directly over ice in a large balloon glass, with fresh orange slices — it's ready. No measuring, no mixing to manage when you're entertaining.
💡 The wine merchant's tip: even with a ready-to-drink, pour over ice rather than serving straight from the bottle. The ice maintains the temperature and amplifies the perception of the aromas. A slice of orange cut at the last moment, not in advance — oxidation changes the taste within minutes.
It's the right gift if... you're looking for a generous format to share, or if you want an award-winning non-alcoholic spritz without any preparation.
→ ISH Spritz 75cl · The full non-alcoholic spritz collection
The 4 mistakes that ruin a spritz
Warm sparkling. The sparkling must be ice-cold — take it out of the fridge at the last moment.
Not enough ice. Fill the entire glass with ice cubes before pouring. A glass half-full of ice means a lukewarm spritz within three minutes.
Stirring too much. Just one stir. Beyond that, you break the bubbles.
Orange cut in advance. Cut at the moment of serving — oxidation changes the taste and appearance within minutes.
The spritz, a gateway to non-alcoholic drinks
The non-alcoholic spritz is the cocktail that converts the most sceptics. The bitterness, the bubbles and the cold naturally mask the absence of alcohol. In a blind tasting, 9 out of 10 people can't tell the difference — the only perceptible absence is the warmth of alcohol on the palate.
At Gueule de Joie, the non-alcoholic spritz collection is our third best-selling category in summer. Nona Spritz is the product most recommended by our wine merchants — highest conversion rate in tastings. Our cocktail selection was commended at the Prix Épicures 2025.
Your perfect spritz checklist
- Plenty of ice cubes — fill the entire glass before pouring anything
- Sparkling taken from the fridge at the last moment — never at room temperature
- Base poured first — then sparkling, then sparkling water
- Just one stir — no more
- Orange cut at the last moment — never prepared in advance
See also
- The 7 best non-alcoholic cocktails that are easy to make at home
- Non-alcoholic mojito recipe: fresh, simple and ultra quick
- The full non-alcoholic spritz selection
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a non-alcoholic spritz?
Glass full of ice, 6cl of non-alcoholic spritz base, 9cl of non-alcoholic sparkling, 3cl of sparkling water. One stir. Orange. 30 seconds.
What is the best non-alcoholic spritz base?
Nona Spritz is the most authentic (27 botanicals). Lyre's is gentler. Sober Spirits is the most bitter.
Does it taste like an Aperol Spritz?
In a blind tasting, 9 out of 10 people can't tell the difference. The only perceptible absence: the warmth of alcohol on the palate.
Can it be prepared in advance?
Pre-mix the base and sparkling in the fridge (up to 2 hours in advance). Add the sparkling water, ice and orange just before serving.
How many calories are in a non-alcoholic spritz?
30 to 50 kcal per glass, compared to 170 to 200 for a classic Aperol Spritz.
Gueule de Joie — France's first non-alcoholic wine merchant since 2019. Over 450 references selected for taste, available for 72-hour delivery across France.
