What Is Crodino? Italy’s Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo Explained
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If there’s one place that’s mastered the art of slowing down and savouring the moment, it’s Italy. Hell, they’ve even built an entire pre-dinner culture around it—aperitivo hour! And when you consider just how crowded that world is with spritzes, bitters, cocktails, and age-old rituals, standing out takes something truly delicious.
That’s what makes Crodino’s story so special. In a country that practically wrote the book on all things aperitivo, it’s been holding its alcohol-free own since 1965. Today, we’re diving into the world of sparkling bitters. What is Crodino (opens in new window)? How did it start? What does it taste like, and how should you enjoy it? It’s all coming up right here, right now.
What Is Crodino?
Besides being your refreshment hero on a scorching summer day, Crodino is an Italian non-alcoholic aperitivo It’s crafted for moments when you want to enjoy aperitivo hour and stimulate your appetite before dinner without the buzz. It’s not a soda or a mocktail. It’s a bitter taste bomb that lives la dolce vita in a category of its own.
Where Aperol and Campari bring sass and sophistication to aperitivo culture, Crodino is all about bitter balance and refreshment with a hint of mystery. It’s a booze-free moment at the end of the day that invites you to pause, sip, and ease into the evening.
Is Crodino alcohol-free?
Ask any aperitivo enthusiast to take a sip at sunset, and they’ll have a hard time believing you that Crodino is alcohol-free, but it’s the truth. Crodino contains 0% alcohol, and it’s been that way since 1965. What’s also undeniable is just how much flavour is packed into every sip.
Despite being alcohol-free, a Crodino drink delivers punchy bitterness and complexity that rivals any of the classic Italian aperitifs. If you’re new to bittersweet flavours, it can be quite jarring at first. But just like a strong espresso or good-quality dark chocolate, you’ll start to crave its bitterness as aperitivo hour draws closer.
Explore aperitivo cocktails: Aperitivo Cocktails: The Italian Art of Pre-Dinner Drinks.
Where does Crodino come from?
To answer today’s question of what Crodino is, we must venture back in time to Italy in 1965. Named after the small town of Crodo in Piedmont, Northern Italy, Crodino was crafted when Italian liquorists and entrepreneurs were searching for sophisticated non-alcoholic and low-alcohol alternatives.
Consumers wanted flavour, ritual, and bittersweet balance without the booze. Sound familiar? More than half a century later, and the same trend is once again directing modern drinking culture. As much as purists will deny it, there will always be a thirst for non-alcoholic aperitivo moments.
What does Crodino taste like?
Like any good Italian aperitivo, Crodino is built on a philosophy of bittersweet balance. Every sip is a vibrant explosion of bright orange and grapefruit flavours layered with herbal bitterness and lightly spiced notes, featuring cloves, cardamom, coriander seeds, and nutmeg.
It’s crisp, refreshing and pleasantly bitter. The effervescent character dances across your taste buds, waking them rather than overwhelming them. Crodino aperitivo is bold but approachable and complex yet easy to drink and enjoy.
As well as the original Crodino, often referred to as ‘Biondo’ or blonde, there’s also a Crodino Arancia Rosso. It’s bright red in colour and builds on the original recipe by adding zesty blood orange flavours to the mix.
What is Crodino made from?
Just like its Campari cousin, Crodino is crafted from a secret blend of botanicals, citrus, herbs and spices. The elements are left to infuse for up to six months before being carbonated and bottled.
With no spirit to rely on for structure and body, its bold character comes solely from the careful blend of botanicals, and the recipe has not changed since its debut in 1965. It’s a drink that feels mature and satisfying and proves that you don’t need alcohol to make an enjoyable aperitif.
How is Crodino traditionally served?
In true Italian simplicity and style, Crodino is served over lots of ice in a wine goblet with a slice of orange. That’s it. No more, no less, no flavour blaster guns and no smoke machines. It’s a simple aperitivo ritual for everyday enjoyment.
Crodino vs soft drinks vs aperitifs vs mocktails
Crodino sits in a category of its own. It has all the qualities of aperitifs without the buzz. Compared to soft drinks, it’s built for ritual rather than sweetness, and unlike mocktails, it isn’t pretending to be something else.
Crodino vs soft drinks
Soft drinks or sodas are sweet, fizzy and one-dimensional. Crodino is effervescent, bittersweet and layered for a complex drinking experience designed to whet the appetite.
Crodino vs aperitifs
Crodino delivers the bitter punch and bite of classic aperitifs without the alcohol. An aperitif is usually an alcoholic drink like a Negroni, which is enjoyed during aperitivo hour as a social ritual before dinner. It’s a big deal in Italy.
Explore the lighter side of cocktails: Gorgeous Low-ABV Cocktails to Sip All Year Long.
Crodino vs mocktails
Crodino isn’t pretending to be a fruit juice cocktail. It lives in its own bitter alcohol-free category. That said, if you want to mix up a cheeky Crodino Spritz or another classic Italian cocktail, we’re not going to stop you.
When would you choose Crodino?
There’s never a bad time for a Crodino. Enjoy it at social gatherings, brunch, lunch, and, of course, during aperitivo hour, which is where it really shines. It’s just as comfortable on a sun-drenched patio as it is at your kitchen counter on a chilled weekday evening. Think of it as a guilt-free slice of Italian aperitivo culture that won’t slow you down the next day.
Why Crodino appeals to modern UK drinkers
In the age of mindful drinking and sober-curious customers, the Crodino drink offers more than just refreshment. It delivers a real aperitif flavour and a sophisticated alternative to soft drinks and brunch mocktails. It offers all the ceremony of an aperitivo hour, and the best part is, everyone’s invited.
How to enjoy Crodino at home
Brighten any day with a little Italian flair in three easy steps.
- Pour your Crodino into an ice-filled wine glass.
- Garnish with a slice of orange and grab a bowl of marinated olives.
- Put on your favourite playlist, then find a comfy spot and pretend that you’re on the Amalfi Coast for the next half hour.
Final sip:
- What it is: A non-alcoholic Italian aperitif.
- Alcohol content: 0%.
- Taste: Bittersweet, citrussy, herbal and refreshing.
- When to drink it: at brunch, lunch or dinner, during aperitivo hour, or anytime you want a delicious alcohol-free drink.
- Why it matters: It delivers all the ritual of authentic Italian aperitivo culture without alcohol.
Ready to add a little Italian aperitivo magic into your life? Visit the Crodino website (opens in new window) to find the nearest stockist and taste Italy’s original and iconic non-alcoholic aperitif. For more aperitivo trends (opens in new window) and classic cocktails, sign up for our newsletter (opens in new window) and live la dolce vita!
