Light green – non-alcoholic

Lysegrøn brings umami to the glass, entirely without alcohol

Lysegrøn is a non-alcoholic aperitif made from green tea with Earl Grey Sencha, green Darjeeling, and white tea. Its light umami bitterness makes it a perfect companion for oysters and caviar. The latest addition to the Copenhagen family.

Lysegrøn is the green, non-alcoholic cuvée from the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company. 23 percent green tea, 8 percent Earl Grey Sencha, and 16 percent white tea result in a drink with citrus notes and clear minerality. Intended as a sparkling alternative for festive occasions.

Green apple, orange zest, and a hint of salt

In the glass, Lysegrøn appears clear with green reflections; the nose detects Earl Grey Sencha, lemongrass, and orange zest.

Things get interesting on the palate. Green apple and citrus fruit lead the way, underpinned by that minerality otherwise known from a Chablis. And then there is that subtle bitterness brought by the green tea: umami, that savory fifth taste, which is rare in beverages and exactly why it pairs so well with seafood. Delicate, fresh, mineral—that hits the mark best.

The perlage is lively without being obtrusive. With 40 grams of residual sugar per liter, Lysegrøn sits between the bone-dry Lyserød and the floral Blå—the middle daughter, so to speak, who understands both sides.

Pairs with oysters, caviar, and raw fish

Wherever a sparkling wine might otherwise be served, Lysegrøn can take its place, and that is due to its bitterness.

Oysters need a drink that embraces their saltiness rather than masking it—green tea does exactly that. It holds its own just as well with caviar, raw fish, and grilled vegetables with lemon. Even a handful of edamame and a glass of this make for a quiet, good evening.

Serve it at about 5 degrees in a white wine glass, not a flute, so the citrus notes have room to breathe. It contains sulfites, as the grape juice naturally provides small amounts; you won't find dealcoholized wine here. With 14 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters, it also keeps you alert, which is fitting for an aperitif.

Why an Earl Grey Sencha of all things

Lysegrøn is the house's latest variety and the only one in which a flavored tea plays the leading role.

Earl Grey Sencha combines Japanese green tea with bergamot—a combination that is considered something of a curiosity in the tea trade. Here, it carries the entire drink because the bergamot provides the citrus direction and the Sencha delivers the grassy depth.

This is joined by green Darjeeling, a tea usually known almost exclusively as a black tea. Unfermented, it tastes brighter, more floral, and almost delicate—and it is precisely this lightness that is needed so the Sencha doesn't overwhelm everything. Those at home in the world of tea will recognize a signature here that dares to take risks.

Each of these teas is brewed individually, each at its own temperature and with its own steeping time, before Jacob Kocemba blends them into the cuvée. Afterward, the base matures for 8 to 12 weeks in the bottle, ending with 5 bars of pressure. The carbonation is added—the honest craftsmanship is in the infusion, not the fermentation.

In 2025, Falstaff rated Lysegrøn 89 out of 100 points, as noted by Roland Graf. For a drink that manages without a drop of alcohol, that is quite a feat. Hats off.

Read more about the house in the portrait of the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company; you can find all varieties among the Sparkling Teas with and without alcohol.

Organic control number DE-ÖKO-039 EU – Non-EU agriculture