Whether you're soaking up the sunshine in a beer garden or hosting friends for an al fresco lunch, few drinks signal summer quite like an Aperol spritz. While Pimm's and chilled rosé remain warm-weather staples, the vibrant orange cocktail has become the seasonal serve of choice for many.
Named after the French slang for apéritif, Aperol is instantly recognisable for its bittersweet, citrus-forward flavour. Made with sweet and bitter oranges, rhubarb, gentian root and cinchona bark, the bright orange liqueur is typically topped with prosecco and soda water to create the lightly sparkling cocktail that's become synonymous with long, lazy afternoons.
Recreating that distinctive balance of bitter, sweet and bubbly without the alcohol is no easy feat. But as low- and no-alcohol drinking continues to move firmly into the mainstream, brands have stepped up with increasingly sophisticated alternatives that promise all the flavour and ritual of the original.
To see which ones are worth pouring this summer, I put three alcohol-free Aperol spritz alternatives to the test. These are the bottles that stood out.
Read more: Best alcohol-free beers
Best alcohol-free Aperol alternatives for 2026 are:
- Best overall: Wilfred’s non-alcoholic aperitif
- Best pre-mixed: Crodino non-alcoholic aperitif
- Best budget buy: Bottlegreen bitter orange
Read more: Best supermarket rosés
Wilfred’s non-alcoholic aperitif
Best: alcohol-free Aperol alternative overall
Why we love it
- Well-balanced bitter sweet, botanical taste
- Natural ingredients
- Retro design
Take note
- Expensive
Wrapped in a chic bottle that you’d want on display, Wilfred’s non-alcoholic aperitif may not look like an Aperol rival with its ruby-red hue, but taste-wise, it hits the spot.
From its blend of rosemary, rhubarb, clove and bittersweet orange, the drink is spiced, botanical and intense once mixed with tonic water – delivering what you look for with an Aperol. It’s made from all-natural botanicals, free from artificial flavours, sweeteners and colours, which is a big tick.
Key specifications
Buy now £22, Ocado.com
Crodino non-alcoholic aperitif
Best: pre-mixed alcohol-free Aperol alternative
Why we love it
- Holds its own without needing alcohol
- Punchy botanicals
Take note
- Too sweet for me
On the first sip, the Crodino aperitif delivers a powerful hit to your taste buds. It’s sweet, bitter and fizzy all at once. The bitterness you expect from an Aperol is delivered, thanks to a complex botanical taste from a six-month infusion of high-quality herbs, spices, woods, and roots. The long-lasting taste holds its own alongside alcoholic drinks.
The bottles are adorably Italian-styled and ideal for bringing to a barbecue, picnics and beyond. I can imagine mixing it with tonic water and ice would also make for a delicious summer drink.
Key specifications
Buy now £8, Sainburys.co.uk
Bottlegreen bitter orange
Best: budget alcohol-free Aperol alternative
Why we love it
- Bright orange taste
- Botanicals aren't overpowering if you prefer that
Take note
- A little watery
With its bright orange hue, Bottlegreen’s bitter orange spritz definitely looks the part.
Taking a sip, there’s a lovely bright orange on my taste buds that’s light and refreshing. It hasn’t quite got the bitterness you’d expect from an Aperol, but for those who find it too overpowering, this is easy drinking.
It hasn’t got a strong botanical flavour, but it's refreshing and made with natural colours and flavourings.
Key specifications
Buy now £3.75, Waitrose.com
What are the best alcohol-free Aperol alternatives?
If you're looking for the closest alcohol-free alternative to Aperol, Wilfred's non-alcoholic aperitif is the standout winner. While its deep ruby colour doesn't mimic Aperol's signature orange glow, the flavour more than makes up for it. The blend of rosemary, rhubarb, clove and bittersweet orange delivers the bittersweet, herbaceous complexity that makes an Aperol spritz so distinctive, with enough intensity to hold its own when mixed. Crodino comes in a close second thanks to its authentic Italian aperitivo character and satisfyingly bitter botanical profile.
How I tested
I sampled each alcohol-free Aperol spritz alternative served chilled and followed the brand's recommended way to serve, and I assessed each drink for:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds is a writer at IndyBest where she covers food and drink as well as other shopping categories. She’s previously tested supermarket pizzas, dark chocolate and apple cider vinegar drinks, so she knows how to spot a standout drink from the supermarket.
The wider IndyBest team taste-test and assess everything for quality, value for money and price. From supplements and health foods to supermarket buys like olive oil and wine, we’ve hand-picked the best of the best. As we test everything in real-life settings, we’ll only recommend something truly worth your money.
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