San Pellegrino SanBitter Red (10x10cl)

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Attempts at turning aperitivo icons zero-proof have yielded mixed results. It’s difficult to capture the exact formula that makes a pre-dinner drink so well-suited to the task, but it’s a task worth pursuing. Long before the “Nogroni” became a flex, from as early as the 1960s, the crimson-red miniature bottles that define the nonalcoholic bitter soda category were answering the call for nonalcoholic aperitivo with their citrusy tang and dry finish. Today, they’re perfectly suited to become a home bar staple—and not just as an alcohol alternative. Who doesn’t love fizzy, sparkling, and sweet soft drinks on a hot summer day? Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper are all popular soft drinks in the USA, loved by adults and children with their meals, especially with fast food. However, many people aren’t aware that the iconic Coca-Cola was also made from a mixture of amaro and vermouth (amaro being an ingredient used in many Italian sodas).

On that note, I’ve finished sipping my afternoon Sanbittèr, so I’ll leave you with the first vintage commercial for Sanbittèr. I’m hoping to feel some of their same level of pep, but I may need another cup of coffee. Taking its name from the bittersweet chinotto fruit (a type of citrus), this fizzy drink also has the fruit’s bitter snap. Despite its resemblance to another popular tawny soda, this is fruitier and much less sweet. Sanbittèr is very similar to Campari, with a bold bitter orange flavor and notes of grapefruit. A key distinction is that Sanbittèr contains no alcohol. It’s mildly carbonated and refreshingly dry on the finish. Despite the bitter profile, it is fairly sweet, with 15.8g of sugar per bottle. That said, I find that a single bottle is a perfect amount to satiate my need for bitter flavors. How to Drink Sanbittèr Around for more than 50 years, Crodino’s spice, herb and botanical blend is a closely guarded secret, but there’s a real depth of clove spice alongside woody, bitter notes. Serve in a tumbler over ice, with a slice of orange to reflect its amber tones. Naturally, since several Italian sodas draw comparisons to Campari, the aforementioned Negroni is another classic into which bartenders have experimented with introducing the bubbly ingredient. At Brother Wolf, an aperitivo bar in Knoxville, Tennessee, the Faux|groni turns the template nonalcoholic, relying on San Pellegrino Sanbittèr, a mildly carbonated soda that channels Campari with its vibrant red look and its dry finish, to complement N/A vermouth and Seedlip Spice 94.Today, a dozen seems quaint. There are easily over 50 brands producing hundreds of flavors of bitters, with more brands coming to market every year. Variations on the more common aromatic and orange varieties have spawned a spectrum covering every imaginable riff on citrus, spice and vegetal notes. “If you can think of a flavor that you’d like in a bitters, it probably exists,” says Sother Teague, beverage director of Overthrow Hospitality, which includes New York’s bitters-focused bar and retail shop, Amor y Amargo. With the boom in the economy, these sodas became increasingly popular in Italy after World War II. With a distinct flavor and aroma to this date, these sodas can be found easily at restaurants, coffee bars, and grocery stores. Some Italian soda brands have developed exceptional quality of these classic sodas that have also become popular among Americans. A pale straw colour in the glass, this smooth lager is lightly carbonated to allow the flavours to come through. From the makers of Nastro Azzurro, you can taste hops and malted barley along with a pleasant biscuity lemon finish.

Crodino has a beautiful sunset orange color and comes in an exceptional bottle shape. It is the perfect summer drink to have with your friends in a glass full of ice and a tart orange slice. Italian sodas aren’t much different from American sodas as they were also concocted as a medicinal tonic to provide recreational benefits. It contained aromatics and flavors from various botanical extracts that were also used to create bitter liqueurs. The name can also be thought of as a nod to the popping sound of a bottle. Stappi is one of the bitterest tasting Italian soft drinks that are sweet to the taste but incredibly dry on the tongue. The taste of the drink can be best described as a red bitter with delightful bubbles that are amazing and, sometimes, aggressively refreshing. Inspired by the Italian ‘bitters’ tradition, this is a new take on the idea. Tart cranberry, aromatic botanicals and plenty of sharp bitters in a lightly carbonated grape juice. Serve chilled with a slice of orange or lemon over ice.

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You can find Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta and the like everywhere in the world and Italy is no exception. The sparkling, sugary beverages are drank by youngsters and adults alike during meals, parties, or dinners in restaurants. As you can imagine, drinking of soft drinks spikes in summer, but you can find your favorite beverage all year long. This cold coffee infusion is from a blend of five different coffee beans, sparkling water, a dash of sugar and nothing else. Pour over ice to enjoy the caffeine hit and light tingle on your tongue. Also available in a 150ml can. I enjoy Sanbittèr served in a chilled glass over a large clear ice cube, with an expressed orange or grapefruit peel to garnish. If you find the flavor too bold or want a little more fizz, top it off with a little club soda.

Verdict: Chinotto feels like the grown-up relative to the popular colas out there. Hurrah for more woody spice notes and less sugar. Alongside its reputation as a land of top-quality wines, Italy also has a fine tradition of alcohol-free drinks, for any time of day. Here are seven of our favourites for you to tryThis non-alcoholic drink is a combination of bitters and soda and is quite dry on the tongue. It has a stylish bottle that carries a refreshing lemon spritz along with some herbs for a delightful flavor.