Lapo's
Lapo's
NAS
One of the latest experiments in "mocktails" comes courtesy of Lapo's, an Atlanta-based start-up that's put a beautifully packaged twist on the Negroni. The brand also produces a nonalcoholic rendition of Campari (sold separately) that this drink is mixed with. Our biggest question of the day: how does one recreate a Negroni — a thoroughly alcoholic mix of gin, vermouth and red bitters — without a smidge of booze?
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Smells just like hibiscus tea. Very light on the nose with some sweetened blackberry, raspberry and juniper notes that call to mind the intended gin influence.
A lot more than I was expecting! Negronis are often served with a signature orange rind garnish; now imagine that flavor spread across an entire cocktail — pleasantly so, I might add. A big wallop of bitter citrus combines with cinnamon, rhubarb and crisp apples for a nice juicy sip.
A big hit of cloves and a smidge of rhubarb coat the back of the throat. It's a fascinating approximation of a "spicy finish" otherwise impossible without the presence of alcohol.
Intriguing stuff. There was clearly a huge amount of effort put into replicating the aroma, palate and finish of a Negroni. Each aspect was pulled off well, albeit in wildly different ways. It's a three-part journey perfectly suited to how we structure reviews on this site. All of that said, I'd definitely recommend this to a sober-curious friend — just don't expect the toothsome bite of a distilled spirit.
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