Lapo's Aperitivo
Lapo's Aperitivo is a bold, bittersweet non-alcoholic Italian-style aperitivo built around bright orange and gentian root, with hibiscus, juniper, rhubarb, and dandelion adding layers of fruit, herbs, and earthy bitterness. It has the citrusy lift you want in an aperitivo, with enough bitterness and botanical depth to hold its own in a proper cocktail.
This is for the Campari crowd: bitter, bright, beautifully red, and definitely not fruit punch.
Why We Love It
We love an aperitivo that actually commits to the bitter part. Lapo's balances juicy orange with earthy roots and a lingering herbal finish. It has enough complexity to make a cocktail interesting, without requiring much work to get there.
How to Drink Lapo's Aperitivo
For an easy serve, pour Lapo's over plenty of ice, top with sparkling water, and finish with a generous orange slice. It's also excellent with tonic, dry non-alcoholic sparkling wine, or anywhere you'd normally reach for a red Italian bitter.
Cheeky & Dry Signature Serve — Bitter Ginger: 1½ oz Lapo's Aperitivo, 3 oz spicy ginger beer, ½ oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 2 dashes All The Bitter Aromatic Bitters. Build over plenty of ice, give it a quick stir, and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Pair it with: fried artichokes with lemon, spicy pizza with Calabrian chile, crispy polenta with parmesan, grilled radicchio with balsamic, or salty Marcona almonds.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Bright orange citrus, hibiscus, and a hint of juniper
- Palate: Juicy orange up front, then gentian bitterness, rhubarb tartness, and earthy dandelion
- Finish: Long, herbal, and pleasantly bitter — exactly what an aperitivo should be
- Body: Medium-weight with enough structure to anchor a cocktail
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lapo's Aperitivo non-alcoholic?
Yes. Lapo's Aperitivo is a fully non-alcoholic spirit, making it an ideal substitute for Campari, Aperol, or other red Italian bitters in cocktails and spritzes.
What does Lapo's Aperitivo taste like?
Lapo's is bold and bittersweet with bright orange citrus, earthy gentian root, hibiscus, juniper, rhubarb, and dandelion. It's complex and herbal — closer to Campari than Aperol in terms of bitterness and intensity.
How do I use Lapo's Aperitivo in cocktails?
Use it anywhere you'd reach for a red Italian bitter. It's excellent in a non-alcoholic Spritz (over ice with sparkling water and an orange slice), with tonic or ginger beer, or in a non-alcoholic Negroni-style build. Our Bitter Ginger serve is a great starting point.
Is Lapo's Aperitivo a good Campari substitute?
Yes — it's one of the best non-alcoholic Campari alternatives available. It shares the same bitter, citrusy, deeply red character and works in the same cocktail applications, without the alcohol.
What food pairs well with Lapo's Aperitivo?
Lapo's is a natural match for Italian-inspired bites: fried artichokes, spicy pizza with Calabrian chile, crispy polenta with parmesan, grilled radicchio with balsamic, or a bowl of salty Marcona almonds.
