Aperitifs, Liqueurs and Mocktails
Aperitifs
A simple sparkling aperitif built for warm evenings and leisurely meals. Dry sparkling rosé provides the crisp, lively base, while just a few drops of orange blossom water add a wonderfully floral note that marries beautifully with the aroma spanked mint.
Part cocktail, part appetizer. This fresh-tomato Nordic Mary is spiked with aquavit and garnished with crisp cucumber and two chilled shrimp brushed with sweet grainy mustard. A beautiful savory cocktail for brunch, summer entertaining or a Scandinavian-inspired menu.
Don't let the strawberry fool you. This isn't a sweet fruity cocktail. A dry Italian Lambrusco brings red-wine depth, a gentle fizz, and notes of dark berries, while strawberry coulis adds an intriguing layer of summer fruit. Elegant, refreshing, and completely unexpected.
This sparkling aperitif of brut champagne, unsweetened cranberry juice and sugar-free triple sec delivers the perfect balance of tart and aromatic. Garnished with frozen cranberries and a fresh bay leaf, The Holly Berry is bright, refreshing and quietly sophisticated. A beautiful way to open a holiday meal.
The Rosmarino Royale is my Italian-inspired twist on a sparkling aperitif. Fresh rosemary is steeped overnight in dry Italian vermouth with allulose for a refined sugar-free sweetness. When topped with low carb sparkling wine, the result is an effervescent sip that feels both celebratory and grounding.
Meet your new signature entertaining drink: City of Light. This batch-friendly aperitif blends dry vermouth, Lillet Rosé, homemade low-carb limoncello and lemon juice — infused with bay and cucumber for a subtle herbal sparkle. Bright, elegant, and perfect for pouring when guests arrive.
Made with my low carb Chinato sweet vermouth, Bacio di Vermut is served over ice with just two garnishes: a slice of lemon and a fresh bay leaf. That’s it. No syrups, no spritz, no fuss. The name means “kiss of vermouth,” bold but gentle, herbal but balanced, the kind of drink that invites you to slow down and savor the moment.
This surprising sipper blends extra dry vermouth, Amontillado sherry, orange and Angostura bitters with a touch of fresh lemon juice, and finishes with an orange twist. The result? A beautifully balanced, subtly complex drink—nutty and citrusy, with just the right amount of bittersweet.
This aperitif is built around the aromatic and slightly bitter flavors of Williams Birne, a German brandy made from pears. Sparkling Riesling, brightened with a splash of lemon juice and touch of homemade ginger syrup—infused with fresh ginger, lemon zest, and gentian root—create a beautifully balanced drink that is light and refreshing.
This champagne cocktail is the perfect choice for festive entertaining. It drink pairs beautifully with savory appetizers or as an accompaniment to any meal where champagne or white wine would be served. Effortless yet refined, this cocktail is truly a celebration of the season's flavors and charm.
"Spagliato," meaning "wrong" in Italian, gives a nod to the happy accident when a bartender reached for bubbly prosecco instead of gin, creating a spritz-style version of the classic cocktail. Perfect for a pre-dinner drink, this low-carb version is an excellent choice to serve before a rich holiday meal.
Liqueurs and Vermouths
Fresh horseradish, potato vodka and a touch of honey make this surprisingly smooth homemade aquavit. The horseradish flavor comes through bright and clear without the expected heat. Keep it in the freezer and serve ice-cold as a traditional Scandinavian snaps, or use it to make a Nordic Mary.
This cherry spirit is a low-carb aquavit-style infusion with cracked cherry pits, cherry bark tea, cloves, vanilla and tonka bean for aromatic intrigue. It’s complex, sugar-free, and perfect for sipping or mixing. Mix with champagne or sparkling water for the perfect herbal aperitif for summer or early autumn.
A sugar-free limoncello that’s ready in just five days. This low carb recipe uses vodka, organic lemon zest and allulose — no 96% alcohol or endless steeping required. Bright, silky, and ideal for cocktails or gifting.
I was never much of a fan of commercial triple sec—too sweet, too one-note and not enough orange. That changed when friends brought back a bottle from Mallorca, where traditional orange liqueurs are still made with care. This triple sec was intense, delightfully bitter and only slightly sweet. That bottle inspired me to create my own version at home—low carb, of course.
This recipe is my low-carb take on the classic Italian vermouth known as Barolo Chinato, a bittersweet aromatized wine traditionally sipped as a digestivo. This version begins with a bold red wine (a Barolo if you're going for authenticity), gently infused with a blend of roots, spices, and citrus peel.
When the holidays approach, I like to capture the essence of Christmas by steeping warm spices and citrus in vodka for several months. That said, you can create a delightful Holiday Aquavit in as little as two weeks. Traditionally served ice-cold in shots, Holiday Aquavit also shines as a bubbly cocktail when mixed with champagne. However you enjoy it, this festive spirit is sure to deliver Christmas in a glass.
Mocktails
This lemon-ginger spritz mocktail is bright, refreshing and unapologetically alcohol-free. Made with ginger-allulose syrup, fresh lemon juice and sparkling water, it has the peppery zip of a real cocktail. Perfect for Dry January or anytime you want a clean, elegant low-carb mocktail.
This Gimlet is made with a botanical spirit, Pentire Adrift. With a captivating blend of flavors from citrus, sage, Cornish sea salt and samphire – a culinary succulent that grows on the coasts of Britain – it’s a terrific no-alcohol replacement for gin. Whether you’re abstaining or just looking for a lighter option, it offers a sophisticated sip that’s both refreshing and elegant, with classic cocktail craftsmanship.
This refreshing spritzer is light and citrusy, with just 3g net carbs, perfect for when you want a flavorful, alcohol-free option. Muddled cucumber adds a subtle earthiness. A splash of grapefruit juice and a dash of grapefruit bitters lend a bittersweet freshness, and Spindrift grapefruit sparkling water tops it off for the ultimate bubbly finish.
