Aperol Spritzes Are Overrated—This Fizzy Non-Alcoholic Wine Is My New Favorite Brunch Drink

As a former bartender in New York, I know firsthand that the color of a brunch cocktail causes a certain chain reaction. There’s always that moment of uncertainty when you’re deciding what to drink with brunch, and then you see a tray of glowing orange Aperol Spritzes float past the table. You can smell the citrus zest — it’s contagious! No matter what else is on that cocktail list, suddenly now you’re craving a spritz. Then everyone else in your party orders one, too. Call it the spritz effect, but it’s a very real thing when you’re dining outside on a perfect spring day.

But what if I told you that there’s an equally juicy brunch beverage that contains zero alcohol? I recently tried Non Lemon Marmalade & Hibiscus, a sparkling non-alcoholic wine alternative that tastes just as refreshing as it sounds, and now it’s the only thing I want to drink with brunch.

Non Lemon Marmalade & Hibiscus

Coming from the other side of the bar, I understand the allure of a pretty cocktail like a spritz. Back when I would bartend during a slammed brunch shift, I was most likely hungover from the night before and chugging coconut water and green juice, so even as I was garnishing dozens and dozens of Aperol Spritzes with fresh orange slices, honestly the last thing I wanted to do was drink one. Maybe that explains my aversion to them now, or maybe they’re just still too sweet? Now, sometimes I also just don’t want to drink. Maybe I have a busy work week coming up, I didn’t sleep well the night before, or I have plans to go for a run later. For any of those very good reasons, drinking during brunch doesn’t always make sense to me. Now that there are so many great non-alcoholic drink options to choose from, I’ll often order something non-alcoholic during brunch to stave off the dreaded Sunday scaries. This is where Non’s NA wines provide a satisfying alternative with significantly less sugar.

Currently, Non offers five different blends, from Non1 Salted Raspberry & Caramel (a rosé-adjacent wine that we tested and also loved) to Non7 Stewed Cherry & Coffee, which is a warming and slightly spicy red wine. If you’ve never tried Non before, and you’re curious about non-alcoholic drinks, I recommend Non5 as a good place to start this spring. It’s fizzy, it’s meant to be served chilled, and it’s super food-friendly. It also looks beautiful poured in a wine glass. 

Non’s non-alcoholic wines are made with verjus (the unfermented juice of unripened grapes). Similar to traditional red or rosé wines, these NA wines have a tannic quality from the grape skins. In other words, these wines have good body and structure, which mimics the experience of sipping a glass of traditional wine. Non5 is made with a short list of intentionally wild ingredients, including hibiscus, lemon verbena, peppermint, preserved lemon, and Citra hops. The addition of salt helps balance out the sweetness, and it’s tart, refreshing, and food-friendly. Fuchsia in color and fluffily carbonated with a frothy, fizzy head, this NA wine pours similarly to a Lambrusco or a sour beer — and it tastes best when served well-chilled.

Non5 Lemon Marmalade Hibiscus reminds me of a kombucha, a lemon bar, an iced tea, and realistically, all three of those things at once. No matter what you taste, I guarantee Non will change your opinion on how complex a non-alcoholic wine can be. It did for me.

So, if you see a glass of fizzy pink Non5 float past your table next time you’re brunching outside, I recommend you order a glass of whatever that is, too. I’ll be stocking up on Non to bring to my next aperitivo hour this spring, and I can’t wait to try more flavors.

Shop More Non:

Non1 Salted Raspberry & Chamomile

Non2 Caramelised Pear & Kombu

Non3 Toasted Cinnamon & Yuzu

Non7 Stewed Cherry & Coffee

At the time of publishing the price was $30.