Junipaero – non-alcoholic

Junipaero by Sasse, full-bodied and full of spice

Junipaero from the Sasse fine distillery is a non-alcoholic concentrate that becomes a long drink when mixed with water and tonic water over ice. Its aromas come from two organic distillates: lemon peel, rosemary, cardamom, and coriander go into one, while juniper goes into both.

Junipaero is an aperitif syrup from the Sasse fine distillery, which we offer individually in 350-milliliter bottles or in a three-pack. Because each glass only requires a small splash, one bottle provides enough for 17 servings—plenty for many long evenings on the balcony.

Rosemary and cardamom join the conversation in your glass

Once poured, Junipaero reveals itself to be full-bodied, with the juniper speaking most clearly. Rosemary, cardamom, lemon peel, and coriander stand beside it, giving the long drink a multi-layered spiciness.

You know rosemary from roasted vegetables, cardamom from Scandinavian cinnamon buns, and coriander from bread spice. Here, the three come together in a cold glass, which sounds more like a summer evening than a kitchen.

With ice and a zest, the syrup becomes an aperitif

Sasse provides the proportions for a long drink with Junipaero: three ice cubes in the glass, followed by 20 milliliters of the concentrate and 20 milliliters of water, and finally 200 milliliters of tonic water. If you like, you can add a lemon zest, as the distillery suggests.

Then the ice clinks, the tonic water bubbles over the rosemary and cardamom, and your after-work routine turns into a quick aperitif without anyone needing to hunt for a shaker. Pull up a chair, because the rest of the evening can wait.

The concentrate is also intended for cocktails, bringing its pre-distilled spice along so that you don't need to open a bundle of herbs or a spice jar. The manufacturer also envisions it as a gift, paired with tonic water; if you give it as such, the first evening is already set.

Its spice is born in the still

Both distillates at Sasse are produced gently in a water bath. The still—the kettle in which distillation occurs—is not placed directly over a flame, but is surrounded by hot water, allowing the heat to distribute more evenly.

Anyone who has stood next to such a kettle knows the warm scent that fills the room. At Sasse, the distillation of the spirits is handled by Hendrik, the Master Distiller. You can see what else the house produces on the Sasse fine distillery page.

At the spicy end of non-alcoholic aperitifs

Sasse includes it alongside the three Wellpaero varieties in a tasting pack. In that collection, the range spans from fruity to slightly bitter to spicy—with the latter word belonging to Junipaero. While herbs and fruits steep for about a week for the Wellpaero, this one is distilled.

We have categorized it under non-alcoholic aperitifs from this producer and on the shelf for syrups, so that it can be found by those who already know the maker, as well as those simply looking for something spicy for the evening.

Organic control number – DE-ÖKO-006