A Sexy Mix for Making Spritz Mocktails & Cocktails
The competition in the mocktail market is heating up. You can create almost any kind of cocktail without the alcohol these days with the number of interesting mixers available. But I wasn’t able to perfect my spritz mocktails until Babylon Spritz hit the market. This premium, non-alcoholic drinks brand is helping me reinvent the spritz with a botanical mixer that has the weight and complexity of Aperol without the alcohol.
What is Babylon Spritz?
Babylon Spritz is a non-alcoholic spin on Aperol produced in Dubai by Haus of Babylon. It is made in a similar distillation process to spirits, just without the alcohol.
First, a secret blend of botanicals is macerated then the resulting liquid is moved, similarly to an alcoholic distillation, to a traditional pot still. (Here’s some information on pot still distillation if you’re curious about how it works.) The distillation gives the drink a similar weight and texture to Aperol but without the buzz.
Aperol, the inspiration for this mocktail mixer, is an Italian spirit flavored with a blend of herbs, spices and fruits. It has a bright orange hue and a slightly bitter, herbal and citrusy flavor. It is best known as the base of an Aperol Spritz, a popular cocktail made from Aperol, Prosecco and soda.
How does it taste?
The blend of botanicals used in Babylon Spritz gives it a similar flavor to Aperol. But it’s not a copycat drink. It has an interesting tamarind flavor on the finish, one of the fruits used in this distillation that’s definitely not used in the Italian spirit.
Haus of Babylon keeps the exact blend of ingredients a closely guarded secret but I do know it contains a few aphrodisiacs including cardamom, allspice and hibiscus. It lacks some of the bright citrus flavors you get from Aperol. But if you enjoy Aperol, you’re going to love Babylon Spritz as a mixer for cocktails, err, mocktails.
How do you use it?
The most obvious way to use Babylon Spritz is to make a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz. Just add the Babylon Spritz to a large wine glass over ice. Use tonic water to replace the Prosecco and top it with club soda for a refreshing pre-dinner drink. (See the mock Aperol Spritz recipe below for details.)
The Dubai Spritz - a non-alcoholic version of the Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 oz Babylon Spritz
- 1 oz Tonic water* use Prosecco for a lightly alcoholic version
- 1 oz Club Soda
Instructions
- Add ice to a balloon glass.
- Add the Babylon Spritz, tonic and soda to the glass. Stir.
To garnish (optional)
- Garnish with a wheel or wedge of orange.
Notes
But what I like about this base for spritz mocktails is its versatility. Because it isn’t a sugary mixer, it is very versatile. You don’t have to stick with the mock Aperol Spritz. You can use Babylon Spritz to bring flavor and sophistication to any number of drinks–but without the alcohol.
Babylon Spritz has a number of mocktail recipes on their website, including their mocktail version of a Cosmopolitan and even a sexy mulled cider. You can, of course, also use it to make lower alcohol versions of traditional cocktails.
My two favorite ways to use it are to simply add a splash to a tall glass with ice and top it with sparkling water or to make a very aphrodisiac version of a non-alcoholic espresso martini.
Where to buy
Babylon Spritz is fairly new to the American market. It’s currently sold through The Zero Proof and on Amazon for $36 per bottle. Both retailers offer subscribe and save options.
You may not be able to pull up to your corner liquor store and pick up a bottle (yet), but if you’re looking for a mocktail that drinks like the real thing, an online order of Babylon Spritz is worth the wait.
Can’t wait to try Babylon Spritz.