Nonalcoholic Champagne Spritz

As a lover of sipping sparkling wine on its own as well as using it to make a fizzy, inherently celebratory cocktail like a classic French 75, I’ve had a surprisingly difficult time finding a truly satisfying bottle of booze-free bubbly. There’s sparkling grape juice, sure, but I crave Champagne’s signature brioche and bread notes, as well as its crisp, mouthwatering acidity. This incredibly simple spritz calls for my favorite new sparkling nonalcoholic rosé from French Bloom, which shines on its own as well as when paired with zero-proof aperitif Ghia’s scrumptious, strawberry-based sophomore offering, Berry. — Oset Babür-Winter

Frequently asked questions

What is an aperitif?

Ghia is a nonalcoholic aperitif. You might find yourself wondering what else typically falls into this category. “An aperitif (the word comes from the Latin aperire, "to open") is a light, most often dry, modestly alcoholic beverage meant to spark the appetite without overwhelming the senses,” writes Food & Wine contributor Jim Nelson. “While an aperitif may be as simple as a glass of dry white wine or Champagne, a true aperitif, the kind that I love, has a little more flair, more flavor, more color and — yes — a bit more sophistication. These are the aperitifs like Campari and Lillet, drinks that go (mostly) by one name and almost always are concocted from secret herbal recipes.” 

What is the best nonalcoholic sparkling wine?

If you’re looking to add a few bottles of booze-free bubbly to your fridge so that everyone can partake in impromptu celebrations, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the very best nonalcoholic sparkling wines on the market right now. While this spritz calls for French Bloom (one of our top picks!) we encourage you to experiment with some of our other favorites from this list.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

French Bloom’s nonalcoholic sparkling rosé is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, which give each sip distinct notes of peach, strawberries, and rose petals. In addition to this cocktail, we also recommend using it to make lower-proof spritzes with Campari or Aperol.