This non alcoholic Aperol spritz has all the herbal citrusy flavor of the Italian classic, but no alcohol required. It’s bubbly, gorgeous, and ready in minutes!
So here’s the thing: I love a good Aperol Spritz, but lately I am drinking less alcohol. So I came up with a way to drink it NA: my non alcoholic Aperol Spritz mocktail!
Personally I don’t like mocktail recipes that call for non-alcoholic spirits, because I don’t want to go out and buy something. So I came up with an orange simple syrup to infuse the drink with bittersweet citrus flavor: just like real Aperol! It is so refreshing and tastes like more than just juice: I love serving it at summer parties alongside the real thing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It gives Aperol Spritz vibes without buying NA spirits! I don’t like having to buy or order non-alcoholic Prosecco or Aperol. My secret ingredient (olive brine!) and orange simple syrup give it real depth.
- Everyone can drink it. It’s alcohol-free, and safe for pregnancy, designated drivers, and dry-January fans: and you can serve it alongside regular ones if you like.
- It comes together fast. Once the syrup is made, it takes just minutes to pour together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Orange-thyme simple syrup: You do need to make this homemade, but it’s totally worth and it and so easy to make! I steep orange peel and fresh thyme into a basic simple syrup, which infuses it with a bright, herbal citrusy notes. It makes enough for 6 drinks.
- Olive brine: The secret ingredient! All you need is a teaspoon (straight from the olive jar) to give it complexity that tastes like alcohol. Pickle juice works in a pinch.
- Pomegranate juice: This is for looks: it’s hard to get a color that’s close to the bright orange of Aperol, but adding this really brightens the color.
- Fresh orange juice and tonic water. Freshly squeezed orange juice tastes incredible, and the tonic water is bubbly with subtle flavor notes.
How to Make A Non Alcoholic Aperol Spritz
The full recipe with quantities is below, but here’s the short version:
- Make the syrup. Simmer sugar, water, orange peel, and thyme until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool and infuse for at least 30 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.
- Build the spritz in the glass. Fill a glass with ice (clear ice if you have it), then pour in the pomegranate juice, olive brine, orange syrup, and orange juice. Top with tonic water. Stir gently once with a bar spoon.
- Garnish and serve. Express an orange peel over the top to release its oils, then add an orange wedge.
Pro tip: Always add your tonic last and only stir very gently to preserve the bubbles.
What to Serve With It
A spritz is an aperitivo, which is a drink meant to open a meal and wake up the appetite. I love to serve any type of spritz with some snacks like marinated olives, a cheese board, crostini, or a bowl of spiced nuts.
This non alcoholic Aperol Spritz is also great for brunch next to a non-alcoholic mimosa, and they hold their own at any finger food appetizers for a party.
Batch Tips
The orange syrup is easy to make ahead: it make-ahead friend: store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For day before prep, you can mix up 8 times the olive brine, pomegranate juice, orange simple syrup, and fresh squeezed orange juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until serving. When serving, add 3 oz mixture to each glass and top off with 3 oz tonic water.
Non Alcoholic Aperol Spritz
Pin RecipeThis non alcoholic Aperol spritz has all the herbal citrusy flavor of the Italian classic, but no alcohol required. It’s bubbly, gorgeous, and ready in minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Seeping Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: No Cook, Shaken
- Cuisine: Mocktails
- Diet: non alcoholic
Ingredients
For the orange simple syrup (makes ¾ cup or 6 oz)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- Peel of ½ navel orange (pith optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
For the spritz
- ½ teaspoon pomegranate juice (unsweetened 100% juice; for color)
- 1 teaspoon olive brine (from an olive jar; pickle juice also works)
- 1 ounce orange simple syrup
- 2 ounces orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 3 ounces tonic water
- Orange peel and orange wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the orange simple syrup: Add the sugar, water, orange peel, and thyme to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently and continuously until the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture just begins to simmer. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature with the orange peel and thyme still in the pan, allowing the flavors to keep infusing as it cools, for at least 30 minutes.
- Strain and store the syrup: Strain the cooled syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a clean jar or bottle. Use immediately or refrigerate and use within 2 weeks (makes enough for 6 drinks).
- Build the spritz: Fill a glass with ice (clear ice is best, if you have it). Pour in the pomegranate juice, olive brine, orange simple syrup, and orange juice, then top off with the tonic water. Stir gently once with a bar spoon.
- Garnish and serve: Express the orange peel over the drink to release its oils (important for the full effect!), then drop it in or discard. Garnish with an orange wedge and serve immediately.
Notes
Batch instructions: The orange syrup is easy to make ahead: it make-ahead friend: store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For day before prep, you can mix up 8 times the olive brine, pomegranate juice, orange simple syrup, and fresh squeezed orange juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until serving. When serving, add 3 oz mixture to each glass and top off with 3 oz tonic water.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/kUzaq6H
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