Katy Perry Has a Line of Nonalcoholic Apéritifs, and I Tried Them Out

Published on 12/21/2022 at 6:50 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

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Although I love the taste and vibe of wine, it's something I've had to sadly part ways with because it gives me headaches. Adjusting to life without wine wasn't that much of a challenge unless I was in social settings where everyone else indulged in a glass or two. With more nonalcoholic drinks and alternatives hitting the market, I wanted to explore what else is out there. When I heard about De Soi, a nonalcoholic apéritif, my interest piqued, especially since it's supposed to emulate the vibe of drinking wine and elevated cocktails. However, when I found out that the brand was cofounded by Katy Perry, it sealed the deal: I had to try this out for myself.

What I Like About the De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs

I really enjoyed the experience of drinking De Soi. From the bottle shape and color of the drinks to the flavors of these apéritifs, it really did emulate the experience of drinking wine. Each one is packed with flavor and depth — whether you lean fruity and sweet, dry and tart, or rich and bitter, there's something for everyone. My top pick is the Golden Hour flavor, since I prefer drinks that are sweeter and light. You can drink them alone or dilute them with soda or water if needed, or you can make a mocktail. It could potentially be a placebo, but after having a few glasses of De Soi, I did feel a lot more relaxed and mellow. I was feeling happy and had a certain buzz but definitely not tipsy. The brand uses adaptogens to help give that stress-soothing effect, like L-theanine, reishi mushrooms, ashwagandha, and more. Each flavor is fizzy as well, which made the experience feel elevated.

What's Worth Noting About the De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs

These drinks are meant for sipping, and I found that around one to three glasses per sitting is more than enough. It's something you can enjoy at dinner parties or get-togethers with friends, or even alone on the couch or during a relaxing bath to unwind after a long day.

One thing to note is that these were a bit difficult to open. I had to use a foil cutter from my wine-bottle opener to unseal the cap and screw it off.

Who Is the De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs Best For?

Everyone can enjoy the De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs, especially those who want a sober alternative to wine or cocktails. If you're someone who likes to host, I recommend having a stash of these so that you can entertain every guest accordingly. Whether you want to cut down on drinking or are looking for an interesting new drink to try, De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs are packed with flavor. It can be enjoyed on its own merit and not just as an alcohol substitute.

Ahead, I break down what each of the three flavors offers and how it tastes.

Rating:
★★★★

De Soi Golden Hour

The De Soi Golden Hour ($25) is supposed to be a bright drink that soothes stress and lets you feel creative and open. It contains adaptogens like maca, lemon balm, and L-theanine. It's supposed to replace a glass of white wine or a Moscow Mule.

Calories: 30
Total fat: zero grams
Total carbohydrates: eight grams
Dietary fiber: zero grams
Sugars: seven grams
Protein: zero grams

Ingredients: water, pear juice from concentrate, yuzu juice, Earl Grey tea extract, maple syrup, chamomile herbal tea extract, bergamot extract, rosemary extract, lemon balm extract, green tea extract, bay extract, lemongrass essence, hop extract, maca powder extract, and elderflower extract.

Taste: As soon as I opened the bottle, I got a waft of a refreshing citrus scent. It has a bright and zesty taste with notes of ginger. It is also kind of sour and tastes like kombucha. It's refreshing and light, not overly sweet but with herbal undertones. This is the lightest of all three drinks and made for a daytime social vibe. It's a good summertime drink or perfect for pregaming. With its crispy and dry flavor and bubbly texture, this one mimics Champagne. This was my favorite out of the trio!

Food pairings: sardines with lemon, labneh, french fries, braised white beans, shortbread cookies

De Soi Golden Hour

From

$25

De Soi Purple Lune

The De Soi Purple Lune ($25) is supposed to be a rich and delicate drink that makes you feel mellow and relaxed. It contains adaptogens like ashwagandha, tart cherry, and L-theanine. It's supposed to replace a glass of red wine or a Kir Royale.

Calories: 40
Total fat: zero grams
Total carbohydrates: 10 grams
Dietary fiber: zero grams
Sugars: eight grams
Protein: zero grams

Ingredients: water, peach-blackberry-black currant and tart cherry juice blend from concentrate, date syrup, rose petal extract, balsamic vinegar (wine vinegar, grape must), ceylon tea extract, gentian root extract, vanilla extract, cocoa extract, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, ashwagandha extract, green tea extract, oak chip extract, black pepper flavor, pine extract, eose extract, and myrrh extract.

Taste: This one smelled like a red wine right when I opened it. It has a fruity taste with more berry and cranberry notes. It's also got some depth and heaviness to it with a subtle woodsy/earthy taste, probably from the vanilla oak. There's a slight bitterness to this with an aftertaste that lingers for a longer time. It is similar to the Champignon Dreams but has a richer taste with more depth. It's more intense than the other two with a more elevated flair. I wouldn't drink this socially but more with dinner or to chill out and unwind.

Food pairings: steak au poivre, dark chocolate, radishes with good butter, dates, pastitsio

De Soi Purple Lune

From

$25

De Soi Champignon Dreams

The De Soi Champignon Dreams ($25) is supposed to be a fruity drink that makes you feel chilled and relaxed. It contains adaptogens like passion flower, reishi mushroom, and L-theanine. It's supposed to replace a glass of orange wine or a negroni.

Calories: 35
Total fat: zero grams
Total carbohydrates: eight grams
Dietary fiber: zero grams
Sugars: six grams
Protein: one gram

Ingredients: water, apricot-strawberry-black currant and grapefruit juice blend from concentrate, birch syrup, jasmine tea extract, sherry vinegar, gentian root extract, burdock root extract, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, passion flower extract, green tea extract, reishi mushroom, beta glucan powder, juniper berry extract, tulsi extract, and grapefruit extract.

Taste: This one is in the middle in terms of depth, crispness, and richness compared to the other two. It has a fruity taste with a subtle tartness from the grapefruit. It has a wonderful blackberry-pie scent and tastes juicy and balanced. To me, this tasted like sweet red wine. This drink has depth and layers of flavors you notice after each and every sip. It has apricot notes that make it unique and enjoyable to drink. This is something I would drink during both social events and when I want to unwind.

Food pairings: mushroom risotto, stinky cheese, olives, lamb tagine, pad thai