Crodino

Crodino arrived in 1965, born from the alpine spring waters of Crodo in Piedmont. While Italy's economic boom was in full swing and la dolce vita defined the national mood, entrepreneur Piero Ginocchi spotted an opportunity. Italians wanted to join the aperitivo ritual without the alcohol. His answer was a golden, sparkling bitter that could hold its own alongside a Negroni.

The recipe draws on fifteen botanicals, including bitter orange peel, cardamom, nutmeg, and clove. These infuse for six months before blending, a process that builds genuine complexity rather than relying on sweetness to do the heavy lifting. The result pours a deep amber gold with orange glints, delivering citrus brightness up front that gives way to herbal bitterness and a spiced, woody finish.

Campari Group acquired the brand in 1995, bringing Italian drinks expertise and global distribution muscle. That combination kept Crodino authentic while introducing it to new markets. The recipe remains unchanged from the original.

In Italy, Crodino is served in a stemmed glass over ice with an orange slice, the proper aperitivo treatment. It works equally well as a base for mocktails or paired with nibbles before dinner. The bittersweet profile cuts through rich foods rather than competing with them.

Crodino predates the current alcohol-free movement by decades. It was never positioned as an alternative to anything; it simply existed as part of Italian daily life. The distinctive bottle with its sunset colours is instantly recognisable across the country. In the UK, you'll find it through specialist Italian food shops and online retailers, at a price that sits comfortably in the mid-range.

The Collection

Crodino

Rosso