Alcohol-free aperitifs: 5 sparkling ideas for summer evenings

At a summer drinks party, there’s always someone at the table who doesn’t drink alcohol. The person who’s driving home, the woman who’s expecting a baby, the children themselves, the friend who’s training tomorrow morning, or simply someone who doesn’t feel like it tonight. And all too often, whilst the others are clinking glasses, they’re handed… a glass of water or a lukewarm fizzy drink.

We believe everyone deserves a proper drink. A drink to look at, to smell, to savour — not a consolation prize. That’s exactly why our HoméoJuices exist: sparkling grape juices, made from 100 per cent Grande Champagne grapes, with no added sugar or sulphites, and 0 per cent alcohol. Here are five simple ways to serve them this summer.

1. On its own, served very chilled — the perfect way

The simplest way is still the best: a bottle chilled in the fridge, served at between 6 and 8 °C in a wine glass or flute. The fine bubbles do the rest. The White kicks off the aperitif with notes of white flowers and citrus; the Red adds a richer, fruitier touch, with hints of raspberry and cherry. Served this way, no one at the table is missing out on a drink — they’re simply enjoying a different one.

2. Zest and herbs from the garden

To enhance the White without overpowering it: a strip of lemon zest squeezed over the glass, a mint leaf or a sprig of verbena, and two ice cubes if the sun is beating down. The juice’s natural acidity and the citrus notes complement each other, and the drink takes on the feel of an Italian terrace. With the Red, try placing a few fresh raspberries at the bottom of the glass instead — they enhance the juice’s aroma.

3. The 0% spritz

The spritz ritual without the alcohol: in a tall stemmed glass filled with ice cubes, pour in the Rouge Effervescent, top up with a splash of very cold sparkling water, and add half a slice of orange. A hint of bitterness, the colour of a sunset, and the perfect presentation. It’s the sort of drink you’ll want to photograph before you drink it.

Fancy exploring more non-alcoholic cocktails? Our mojito recipe also works very well in a non-alcoholic version.

4. The pairing platter

A summer aperitif is all about the drink and the food. Our two cuvées each have their own perfect pairings:

• The Blanc loves the sea and freshness: prawns, oysters, fish rillettes, fresh cheeses, melon. Its clean, slightly tangy finish cleanses the palate between bites.
• The Red prefers sweet-and-savoury flavours and fruit: goat’s cheese on toast with honey, cured ham, sun-dried cherry tomatoes, and later in the evening, a red fruit tart.

5. Children’s glasses — toasting like the grown-ups

This might just be our favourite. A child who is treated in the same way as the adults — a pretty flute, bubbles, a ‘cheers!’ with eye contact — experiences the aperitif rather than just watching it. And here, there’s no need to compromise on what’s in the glass: grapes, bubbles, nothing else. No added sugar, no colourings, no caffeine. Sparkling pleasure, without a long list of ingredients.

A final word (and a seasonal note)

An alcohol-free aperitif isn’t a sacrifice: it’s a choice — and increasingly, it’s the choice of the whole table. It deserves better than a splash of syrup. It deserves a drink designed just for this, made from grapes grown without synthetic chemicals, using the ‘Grande Champagne’ method.

→ The pack of six is perfect for the whole aperitif season — order it from the shop