Dinner can be a wonderful occasion, but it is also a bit daunting. Which knives and forks do you use first? What etiquette should you observe? There are lots of questions and formalities that can leave you feeling a little flustered if you are not fully aware of the cultural tone of your evening. And that is before you even get to the food.
For particularly formal affairs, the aperitif may be offered as part of your dining experience. So what should be done about this drink that, let’s face it, you would never usually have or be offered in any other setting? Read our blog to discover more about the aperitif and the wonderful options that are open to you.
What is an aperitif?
The term ‘aperitif’ is a Latin word meaning ‘to open,’ so this should give you a good indicator as to when the aperitif should be enjoyed.
The aim of the aperitif is to have it before a meal. It should stimulate your appetite and prepare your palate for the food to come. They are usually low in alcohol anyway, but the Wise Bartender has lots of zero-alcohol options to consider when it comes to preparing apertifs for your dinner party that will awaken your taste buds.
The history of aperitifs
Before we delve into the types of aperitifs that are open to you, firstly, let’s explore the origins of this interesting pre-dinner custom. The most ancient and famous civilisations, such as the Greeks and Romans, enjoyed herbal concoctions before the fanciest of dinner parties to help digestion and stimulate the appetite. Even Hippocrates recommended them, while the Romans used to enjoy gustatios, which were a honey-sweetened wine that is seen as a precursor to the modern aperitif.
Medicinal tonics came to the fore in aperitif form throughout the 18th century in Italy, and in 1786, distiller Antonio Benedetto Carpano was the first to create vermouth. This drink is a popular aperitif to this day, and consists of a fortified wine with herbs and spices that helped the aperitif culture to blossom in the Italian city of Turin.
The aperitif then spread throughout Western Europe, with now classic drinks such as the Italian Campari, the Aperol Spritz, and the French Pastis highlighting the diversity of aperitifs that came about.
There is a resurgence in the tradition happening in contemporary times. This is partly down to the boom in artisanal spirits and, of course, non-alcoholic alternatives, which is what we will delve into now.
Alcohol free aperitif alternatives
There are plenty of apertif alternatives if you are trying to steer clear of alcohol. Gone are the days of non-alcoholic options lacking flavour, so here are a few choices you may decide upon if you want an apertif minus the booze:
Curcuma Jane
The Curcuma Jane is an organic turmeric and ginger aperitif that has no alcohol and provides a fresh, botanical flavour with a smooth, dry finish. It also has a citrusy element to it.
Ginger Jack
The Ginger Jack is a fiery addition, blending fresh ginger root with aromatic herbs and citrus for those who want to add a layer of complexity to their experience.
Negroni
Enjoy the St Agrestis 'Phony Negroni' or the Sip Cocktails 'Negroni' Alcohol Free Cocktail from the Wise Bartender, which are both great party starters to prepare for a wonderful meal.
Rebels
There are four products from the manufacturer Rebels that will tantalise your taste buds. These include the Rosso, the Dolce Spritz, the Dark Spice rum alternative, and the bitter aperitivo drink, all of which have 0% alcohol.
9 Meadows
The Summer Sunset from this maker contains orange, basil, rhubarb, a touch of pepper, and grapefruit, while the Bitter Grove has a sweet blood orange taste with a spicy and aromatic twist.
Ish
The Ish Spritz delivers a bitter and fresh citrus flavour that contains mandarins, oranges, and lemons to deliver a tangy edge. Enjoy a touch of heat with the chilli seeds that are incorporated into the drink.
Jörg Geiger
Indulge in the Jörg Geiger Organic KIMMEL Alcohol Free Aperitif Style Cocktail (0.0% ABV), which possesses a caraway taste that is rich in essential oils. It has an intense yet mild taste that has to be experienced to be believed.
Everleaf
The Everleaf Forest alcohol-free aperitif is a bright and natural spritz that has the rich taste of saffron and vanilla included within the drink.
Mother Root
The Mother Roots Ginger Switchel infuses ginger juice, apple cider vinegar, and blossom honey together for a revitalising and enjoyable experience.
Wilfreds
Clove, rhubarb, orange, and rosemary are merged in the Wilfreds 'Spritz' Alcohol Free Aperitif Spirit that contains no alcohol, which makes it suitable for pretty much everyone.
Where to buy purchase your perfect aperitif
The options you see above are all available to buy from the Wise Bartender. We scour the globe to find the perfect aperitifs so that you can enjoy your dinner party in style and comfort. We are constantly looking for the newest alternatives to alcohol, and our company is renowned for being the number one store for alcohol free beer, wine, spirits, and, of course, aperitifs.
We have hundreds of options available to buy on our store, and we love to champion the unique and fabulous flavour pairings and combinations that can be made through our products. What’s best is that you don’t need to deal with the hangover and the pitfalls that are associated with alcohol because our products don’t have any.
We offer price matches if you can find any of our aperitifs cheaper elsewhere, and any orders that are £59 and above come with free delivery. It only takes a day or two to deliver any of our drinks to locations across the UK, and you can even enjoy subscriptions to sample new tastes that have crossed our palate.
Buy your items from our store, or get in touch with us to discover the fantastic non-alcoholic options that await you. You can also read our blog for great advice and tips on how and when to enjoy our unique beverages.
