JOS. GARDEN Zero Spritz

Non-alcoholic aperitif with blood orange and a hint of chili

JOS. GARDEN Zero Spritz is a non-alcoholic aperitif from the Ehringhausen distillery, crafted from the zest of Sicilian blood oranges, herbs, and a hint of chili. Not a juice or a soda, but an aperitif with bitterness and spice.

A non-alcoholic aperitif succeeds or fails based on whether something remains when the alcohol is removed. The Zero Spritz from Werne solves this with three elements: zest, herbs, and chili. In doing so, it takes on the role of a classic bitter in the early evening without leaving you with sugar water in your glass at the end. The blood oranges used are sourced from Sicily, the herbs from the family’s own recipe.

First the zest, then the spice

It sits in the glass citrusy, herbal, and aromatic. The finest zest of Sicilian blood oranges provides freshness, while a subtly bitter herbal note balances it out.

The chili comes last and remains polite—a sensation of warmth in the finish rather than an attack. It is precisely this aftertaste that makes the difference, as spice maintains the same tension in the mouth that alcohol would otherwise provide. Fruity, aromatic, and composed, it manages without the sweetness that non-alcoholic aperitifs often get lost in.

It glows a deep orange-red in the glass, and because an aperitif is always a matter of aesthetics, that counts for more than one might think. Anyone who places it next to a classic spritz will see no difference and taste one that takes nothing away from them.

Bitterness is the most difficult exercise for non-alcoholic drinks because, without alcohol, the carrier that holds bitter flavors is missing. Here, the herbal note and the zest take on that role, which is why the Zero Spritz doesn't taste flat even after the third sip. Anyone who has ever had a non-alcoholic alternative in their glass that was just sugary after half an hour will notice the difference immediately.

On ice, with tonic or non-alcoholic sparkling wine

Three parts sparkling, two parts Zero Spritz, plenty of ice, and a slice of orange—and your spritz is ready, with zero proof.

When served neat on ice, the herbs and chili come through more clearly than in a mixed spritz. With tonic, it becomes drier and longer; with soda, leaner and lighter. Serve it well chilled at six to eight degrees in a large glass so that the citrus oils have room to breathe. You can find the right sparkling accompaniment under sparkling non-alcoholic.

The Zero Spritz pairs well with savory snacks, olives, roasted almonds, or a piece of hard cheese. And it has the quiet advantage that no one at the table has to explain why they aren't drinking today. When hosting guests, simply place it next to the other bottles and let everyone help themselves. Other bottles of this kind can be found under non-alcoholic spirits, and our aperitif selection covers the entire hour before dinner.

An apothecary as the namesake

The JOS. GARDEN collection is named after Josef Ehringhausen, a great-great-uncle of the family who was an apothecary and collected plants.

As Theres and Georg recount, his herbariums were rediscovered while clearing out the old attic; inside, alongside native herbs, were plants from Southern Europe and other travels. It is fitting, therefore, that the herbal note is precisely what holds this aperitif together—just like the name on the label.

It is distilled and blended in Werne, where the family has worked since 1962 and where Theres and Georg have been running the business in the third generation since 2012. The Spritz is available there in three strengths, from 24% vol to 15% vol, and now this 0% vol version. Whatever else the distillery produces can be found in the Ehringhausen distillery assortment.

Zero percent, yet still a personality in the glass. That is rarely achieved this well.