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.

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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

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  • Bestalcohol-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

  • Price per litre:£44

  • Bestpre-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

  • Price per litre:£12.14

  • Bestbudget 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

  • Price per litre:£5