It's 6pm, the sun is still high, and someone asks: "What are we having to drink?"
The alcohol-free spritz is the answer. Orange, bitter, sparkling, photogenic—it captures the spirit of the patio in a single glass. And today's 0% alternatives are so good that you have to look closely to distinguish them from the original.
At Gueule de Joie, we distribute four different non-alcoholic spritz bases — and we've tested them all in real-world conditions (terrace, sun, 27°C). Here are our 3 favorite recipes.
Non-alcoholic Spritz — in short 6cl of non-alcoholic bitter base · 9cl of non-alcoholic sparkling wine · 3cl of sparkling water. Large copa glass filled with ice cubes, garnished with a half-slice of orange. Our favorite bases: Nona Spritz (27 plants) Lyre's Italian Spritz, Sober Spirits Spritz.
What makes a good spritz (with or without alcohol)
The spritz is based on a balance between three elements: thebitterness (bitter base), the bubbles (prosecco or sparkling wine), and the freshness (sparkling water + ice + orange). The IBA ratio is 3-2-1: 3 parts sparkling wine, 2 parts bitters, 1 part sparkling water. Same ratio in the non-alcoholic version.
Recipe 1 · The Classic Spritz
With Nona Spritz — the most authentic base
Ingredients :
- 6 cl of Nona Spritz (27 plants)
- 9 cl ofsparkling alcohol-free (or fine sparkling water)
- 3 cl of sparkling water
- Ice cubes (fill the glass)
- 1 half-slice of orange + 1 green olive (optional)
Preparation : A large copa glass filled with ice. Nona first, then sparkling, then carbonated water—always pouring along the side of the glass. A single stir. Orange.
THE Nona Spritz It is distilled from 27 plants and botanicals, with a natural bitterness (gentian, rhubarb) that mimics Aperol without copying it. It is the most authentic base — deep, complex, not sweet.
💡 The wine merchant's advice: Always pour in this order — base, sparkling wine, carbonated water. Pouring it the other way around breaks the bubbles before the glass is even ready. And only stir once: any more than that and you lose the carbonation.
The perfect match: Artisan crisps, marinated olives, breadsticks. The bitterness of Nona calls for salty flavors — it's the classic balance of the Italian aperitif.
→ Our selection of alcohol-free spritz
Recipe 2 · Bitter Lemon Spritz
With Lyre's — for those who find Aperol too bitter
Ingredients :
- 6 cl de Lyre's Italian Spritz
- 9 cl of Lyre's Classico (alcohol-free prosecco)
- 2 cl of fresh pink grapefruit juice
- Ice cubes + 1 slice of grapefruit + rosemary
Grapefruit juice adds a bright acidity that enhances the natural bitterness of Lyre's. Rosemary, snapped between the hands, provides a herbaceous touch. It's the perfect spritz for those who find classic Aperol too strong.
💡 The wine merchant's advice: Clap the rosemary between your palms before placing it in the glass. This action releases the essential oils — the aroma goes from decorative to truly present on the palate.
The perfect match: A platter of assorted tapas, fine charcuterie, and soft cheeses. The acidity of the grapefruit stands up very well to the rich and salty flavors.
→ Lyre's Italian Spritz · Lyre's Classico
Recipe 3 · Ready-to-Drink Spritz
With ISH Spritz — the 75cl format for large gatherings
THE ISH Spritz (75cl) is a ready-to-drink, full-bodied spritz, created in Copenhagen in 2018 and now available in 15 countries. Its profile: the bitterness of French gentian and quassia, the freshness of Italian citrus fruits (mandarin, orange, lemon), and a spicy touch of chili shell distillate. Complex, balanced, not sweet.
Pour directly over ice in a large balloon glass, garnish with fresh orange slices — it's ready. No measuring, no mixing to worry about when you're entertaining.
💡 The wine merchant's advice: Even with ready-to-drink beverages, pour over ice rather than serving straight from the bottle. Ice maintains the temperature and enhances the perception of aromas. A slice of orange cut fresh, not in advance—oxidation changes the taste within minutes.
This is the perfect gift if... you are looking for a generous size to share, or if you want an award-winning non-alcoholic spritz without any preparation.
→ ISH Spritz 75cl · The entire collection of alcohol-free spritz
The 4 mistakes that ruin a spritz
Warm sparkling water. The sparkling wine should be ice-cold — take it out of the fridge at the last minute.
Not enough ice. Fill the entire glass with ice cubes before pouring. A glass half full of ice makes a warm spritz in three minutes.
Stir too much. Just one turn of the spoon. Any more than that and you'll break the bubbles.
Orange cut in advance. Cut just before serving — oxidation changes the taste and appearance in minutes.
The spritz, gateway to alcohol-free drinks
The non-alcoholic spritz is the cocktail that converts the most skeptics. The bitterness, the bubbles, and the chill 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 alcoholic warmth in the mouth.
At Gueule de Joie, the alcohol-free spritz collection is our third best-selling category in the summer. The Nona Spritz is the product most recommended by our wine merchants — best conversion rate for tastings. Our cocktail selection was praised at the Epicurean Prize 2025.
Your perfect spritz checklist
- Ice cubes in quantity — fill the entire glass before pouring anything
- Sparkling wine taken straight from the fridge at the last minute — never at room temperature
- Base paid first — then sparkling, then carbonated water
- Just one turn of the spoon — no more
- Orange service just cut off — never prepared in advance
Read also
- 7 best non-alcoholic cocktails that are easy to make at home
- Alcohol-free mojito recipe: fresh, simple and ultra-fast
- The entire selection of alcohol-free spritz
frequently asked Questions
How to make a spritz without alcohol?
Ice cubes in a full glass, 6cl of non-alcoholic spritz base, 9cl of non-alcoholic sparkling wine, 3cl of sparkling water. Stir once. Orange. 30 seconds.
What is the best non-alcoholic spritz base?
Nona Spritz is the most authentic (27 plants). Lyre's gentler. Sober Spirits the most bitter.
Is the taste comparable to Aperol Spritz?
In a blind tasting, 9 out of 10 people couldn't tell the difference. The only noticeable absence was the alcoholic warmth in the mouth.
Can it be prepared in advance?
Pre-mix the base and sparkling water in the fridge (up to 2 hours). Add the sparkling water, ice and orange when ready to serve.
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 alcohol-free wine shop since 2019. Over 450 carefully selected wines, available in 72-hour delivery throughout France.
