16 best aperitifs that might just be better than an Aperol Spritz
Read on for more expert-approved tipples: Best red wine | Best white wine | Best champagne | Best English sparkling wine | Best prosecco | Best rosé
What is an aperitif?
An aperitif is a (usually alcoholic) drink served before dinner to help awaken the tastebuds. It’s also a lifestyle.
Italy’s aperitivo hour is a time when people celebrate the end of a long day and catch up with friends before dinner over a refreshing spritz and nibbles, which is a tradition we can whole-heartedly get on board with.
These pre-dinner tipples usually have a bitter edge and are topped up with sparkling wine, a splash of the best tonic waters or soda water. Typically finished with a simple garnish such as an olive or orange slice, they’re as simple to mix as your beloved G&T.
How we test aperitifs
Our panel — made up of 10 WSET-accredited experts and consumers — sipped their way through 20 aperitifs, with each served blind to avoid brand bias. The experts were looking for the most refreshing options, with a clean finish and balanced bittersweet profile.
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1
Best aperitif
Amaro Santoni
Score: 93/100
Like Aperol, this aromatic and floral amaro can be mixed with prosecco and soda on ice for a refreshing aperitif.
Made with a combination of 34 botanicals, testers loved the fresh aromas and flavours of orange and herbs including basil and rosemary finished with a light bitterness. Incredibly well-balanced and natural tasting, it makes the perfect summer aperitif.
Key specificationsVolume50clABV16%How we servedMixed with ginger ale, over ice
Score: 86/100
Created using artichokes as a main ingredient, this has delicious alpine aromas with notes of floral medicinal herbs.
Testers felt there was a good level of bitterness, with flavours of burnt caramel and a pleasing, long-lasting sweetness finished with hints of lemon verbena. Another great choice for a spritz or negroni.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV16.5%How we servedOver ice
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3
Best non-alcoholic aperitif
Crodino Alcohol Free
Score: 83/100
Despite being non-alcoholic, Crodino came out top of our aperitif taste test. Campari’s teetotal Italian spritz wowed testers with its well-balanced, bittersweet botanicals and lingering citrus flavour.
To serve, simply pour over a generous amount of ice and pair with antipasti and cheese for a taste of la dolce vita.
Key specificationsVolume3 x 175mlABV0%How we served175ml Crodino, slice of fresh orange
4
Best rose-flavoured aperitif
Lanique Spirit of Rose Liqueur
Score: 79/100
Made from rose essence (which, gram for gram, is more valuable than gold!), Lanique is a pretty pink drink, with the taste of Turkish delight. Aside from rose, you can expect notes of fresh cucumber, lemon verbena, raspberry and aloe vera, with a hint of black pepper.
It’s great served with champagne, or with tonic and prosecco, garnished with a cucumber ribbon.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV39%How we served12.5ml Lanique spirit, 50ml tonic, 25ml prosecco, cucumber ribbon
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5
Best budget aperitif
Aperol Liqueur
Score: 78/100
The iconic Aperol Spritz still proved popular with our panel, with its crowd-pleasing bright orange hue, herbal aniseed flavour and low-key bitterness.
At 11% ABV it’s a lovely low-strength option for day-time drinking throughout the summer season. It’s very easy to make; all you need to remember is the 3:2:1 method — meaning three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda water. Simple!
Key specificationsVolume70clABV11%How we served75ml prosecco, 50ml Aperol, a splash of soda water, slice of fresh orange
6
Best extra dry aperitif
Axia Extra Dry Mastiha
Score: 78/100
Made with the resin from the Mastic trees grown on the Greek island of Chios, our testers said this had intensely green aromas with notes of cucumber and cut grass.
The flavours were similarly savoury with fermented, yeasty notes. A dry and complex aperitif, this would also work well with food.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV40%How we servedOver ice
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7
Best honey-flavoured aperitif
Beesou Honey Aperitif
Score: 77/100
Beesou’s wine-based blend is made from British honey, hence its eye-catching yellow hue. Best enjoyed as a spritz, the distinctive flavour has lovely raw honey at its core, pepped up with citrus zest, and festive spice.
What’s more, 10% of all profits are donated to the charity, Bees for Development, an organisation working to alleviate poverty through beekeeping.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV11%How we servedOne part Beesou,
two parts sparkling wine, in a large wine glass, over ice, topped with a slice of grapefruit
8
Cocchi Americano Aperitivo
Score: 77/100
Getting rave reviews from drinks professionals and our testers alike, this Italian aperitivo displays a grassy freshness, with menthol, cherry blossom and almond at its heart.
It’s super complex, smooth and velvety — and we think a must-have for any bar cart.
Key specificationsVolume75clABV16.5%How we servedA splash of club soda and a slice of orange
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Score: 77/100
Although similar in many ways to Campari (below), Select has a much gentler ABV (17.5% vs Campari’s 25% ABV), which allows for the amaro to “pop” out of the glass more intensely.
It’s the star ingredient in a Venetian spritz, a simple but impactful serve of three parts prosecco, two parts Select and one part soda, served over ice and garnished with a green olive.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV17.5%How we servedThree parts prosecco, two parts Select, splash of soda, one large green olive 
Score: 76/100
Milano’s Campari is the poster girl of Italian aperitivo hour and is one of the most versatile bottles in our drinks collection. With nearly 70 botanicals, it’s incredibly complex, with woody spices and smokey bitterness, lifted by citrus notes.
Dry and delicious, a slice of orange is a must, whether served in a sbagliato, or a classic negroni.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV25%How we served75ml prosecco, 50ml Campari, a splash of soda water, slice of fresh orange
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11
Hotel Starlino Rose Aperitivo
Score: 76/100
Crisp aromas of fresh orange and lemon sherbet – which some testers found reminiscent of a Marsala sherry – are followed by fresh herbal flavours and zesty citrus for a well-rounded aperitif.
Similar to a white wine but with particularly tart acidity, this is an easy drinking option that would make a great choice for a celebration.
Key specificationsVolume75clABV17%How we servedOne part Starlino Rosé, two parts prosecco, splash of grapefruit juice
12
Best English aperitif
Aker English Rosé Aperitif
Score: 73/100
Not content with Italy having all the fun, Aker has created an English aperitif, made with rosé from English wine producers Chapel Down and homegrown botanicals, including the obligatory wormwood.
The result is Turkish delight syrupy sweetness, with lively summer berries and hints of fresh herbs. Serve with a sprig of mint and a juicy strawberry to garnish.
Key specificationsVolume75clABV17%How we served50ml Aker Rosé , 25ml Chapel Down sparkling bacchus, 12.5ml soda water, fresh strawberries to garnish.
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13
The Aperitivo Co Venice Aperitivo
Score: 73/100
With an injection of grapefruit and hibiscus, this Venetian aperitif offers a lovely new layer to the traditional spritz. Testers described it as “the perfect pre-dinner drink”, thanks to a well-balanced combination of tropical fruit and bitter herbs.
Key specificationsVolume75clABV18%How we served50ml Venice Aperitivo, 50ml sparkling white wine, add over ice and a splash of soda, garnish with an orange wedge
14
Best Spanish spritz
El Bandara Al Fresco Aperitif
Score: 71/100
El Bandara has done most of the hard work for us here, with a tipple ready to be served over ice alongside a splash of tonic and a wedge of orange.
The blend of grenache wine with liquorice, mint, rose petals and lemon zest lends a harmonious balance of bittersweet to each sip. Just add tapas for an authentic taste of Spain.
Key specificationsVolume1LABV14%How we served25ml El Bandara Al Fresco, 50ml tonic, olive
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15
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Score: 70/100
Fragrant bergamot is a citrus native to southern Italy, and it forms the base for this intriguing liqueur. Other botanicals featured include chamomile, lavender and lemon balm, resulting in a fresh flavour that’s similar to Campari, but a little lighter, more floral and sweet.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV20%How we servedOne part Italicus, two parts sparkling wine, one green olive, ice
16
Sommer Rhubarb & Raspberry Aperitif
Score: 70/100
Made with a blend of raspberries and rhubarb, Sommer’s Yorkshire-made aperitif is sweet and jammy, with a delicious earthy note coming through from the 36 botanicals the fruit is paired with.
And while it’s not overly complex, we think it’s a crowd-pleasing serve that those with a sweet tooth will enjoy immensely.
Key specificationsVolume70clABV11%How we servedThree parts prosecco, two parts Sommer, one part soda
Maga Flores-Trevino is our former Senior Food and Drink Tester.
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