Bitter Sweet Romance: Non Alcoholic Aperol Sour
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A Perfect Non-Alcoholic Aperol Makes A Mouthwatering Cocktail
It’s been a long time in coming, but there’s a new non-alcoholic Aperol available in Canada and it’s dynamite! There are several brands of Italian bitter amaro-style spirits available, but only one other product truly tasting like Aperol. This new option called Abstinence Aperitif is so good, you’ll want to keep this stocked on your bar car whether you’re a non-drinker or not. This is a recipe for an Aperol Sour using the new non-alcoholic aperitif and it’s so good, it’s going to be in permanent rotation from now on!
What Is Non-Alcoholic Aperol
The Italian amaro called Aperol is a blend of 11 carefully-selected herbs and roots, many of which are native to Italy, including gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona. These ingredients give the spirit its distinct bitter and sweet flavor as well as its signature vibrant orange hue. Non-alcoholic versions of this spirit use a very similar recipe of herbs and roots, but rather than using alcohol to extract and macerate the flavours, it uses other methods to enable a similar flavour profile.
How Does Non-Alcoholic Aperol Taste
Italian aperitifs each have their own unique flavour combinations, but in an Aperol style dupe, there should be subtle notes of bitter blood orange and rhubarb with a light sweetness, providing a balanced citrus flavor.
What is an Non-Alcoholic Aperol Sour?
A sour cocktail is one that uses lemon and egg white for a thick, foamy texture and a sweet tart taste. This non-alcoholic version uses egg whites, lemon juice, simple syrup and of course the star of the show Abstinence Aperitif.
Non-Alcoholic Triple Sec Options
Triple Sec is a key ingredient in a lot of cocktails, and if you’re just an occasional teetotaler, using it in this recipe is fine as it’s very low ABV. However, if you’re completely alcohol-free, there are several options you can swap for. Lyre’s Spirits Co makes a great non alcoholic orange sec that is a pretty close dupe for the real thing. Alternatively, you can use:
1/8 tsp orange extract from the grocery store baking section
1 tsp orange flower water with 3-4 drops orange bitters
2 tsp orange juice with 3-4 drops orange bitters
just orange bitters
You’ll have to play around with the combo that you like best
Dry Shaking Your Non Alcoholic Aperol Sour in the Shaker
Start by pouring 2 ounces (1 shot) of your non-alcoholic aperol into the shaker with the rest of the ingredients. DO NOT ADD ICE. Shake it vigorously with the lid on for 10 seconds until everything is blended together. This step is crucial to ensure the egg whites foam and everything blends together.
Add Ice to the Shaker and Shake It Again
Carefully open the shaker and add fresh ice. Use at least 8 cubes of ice and shake the shaker with a firm grip for another 5-6 seconds until everything is lightly chilled.
Creating The Foamy Top
There is a trick to ensuring a nice foam sits on top of the cocktail. First strain everything into a pre-chilled coupe glass. Keeping the strainer on top of the shaker, hold the shaker upright and give the ice a quick shake and a swirl and turn it upside down over the glass again to get all the foam out from between the ice cubes. It may take one or two tries and a few more shakes, but this is what makes the foam so lovely on a cocktail or mocktail.
Garnish with a strawberry heart. Cheers and enjoy!
Non Alcoholic Aperol Sour
Ingredients
- 3 oz Abstinence Aperitif
- 1 ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz non-alcoholic triple sec
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Dry shake all the ingredients without ice for 10 - 15 seconds
- Carefully open the shaker and add ice
- Reshake gently for 5-6 seconds to chill
- Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a strawberry heart
