Sasse Wellpaero Vermouth & Orange. Organic non-alcoholic concentrate for a bitter spritz, with wormwood, gentian, and blood orange.

Sasse Wellpaero Vermouth & Orange is a non-alcoholic bitter spritz aperitif concentrate from the Feinbrennerei Sasse in Münsterland: organic wormwood, gentian root, rosehip, and blood orange, 0.0% vol, 350 ml. Not a vermouth wine and not a ready-to-drink spritz – a bittersweet concentrate for ice and sparkling water.

Vermouth & Orange by Sasse is explained by a word with two meanings. "Wermut" (German for wormwood) is first a plant, a bitter herb with silvery leaves. The aromatized wine that many know from the bar is also named after it. This bottle refers to the herb; there is no wine in it. Together with gentian root, it provides the bitterness that defines an Italian-style aperitif. The fruit comes from blood orange juice and blood orange peel, plus grapefruit peel, rosehip, and carrot juice, all in organic quality. Sugar and citric acid maintain the balance. This concentrate has been a new addition to Sasse since January 2026. An autumn evening, it’s getting dark early outside, and an orange-red glass with ice and an orange slice sits on the table.

Bittersweet, fresh and light, with orange at the forefront

The manufacturer describes the taste as fresh, bittersweet, and light. First comes the orange, juicy and citrus-fresh, with a more tart note from the grapefruit peel. Then, wormwood and gentian take over, leaving a bitter trail on the palate. The rosehip provides a fruity, tart middle ground. According to Sasse, as a spritz, the glass is reminiscent of classic Italian aperitifs.

The bitterness here is intentional. Those who enjoy bitter aperitifs will find a non-alcoholic version with a distinct profile in this concentrate.

Vermouth Orange Cinnamon – the bitter spritz according to the manufacturer's recipe

Sasse recommends a version with cinnamon. Place three ice cubes in a glass, add 20 ml of Wellpaero Vermouth & Orange and 10 ml of cinnamon syrup. Then top up with sparkling mineral water and add an orange slice if desired. The cinnamon rounds off the bitterness and gives the drink a somewhat warmer character.

If you leave out the cinnamon syrup, the spritz becomes clearer and more bitter: simply pour the concentrate over ice and top with soda water. A sprig of rosemary is also a good alternative to the orange slice, and the concentrate is also well-suited as a base for non-alcoholic mocktails. At 20 ml per glass, the bottle is enough for a good 17 glasses. Store in a cool, dark place.

Our tip: Rub the orange slice briefly around the rim of the glass before putting it in. This way, the very first sip will smell of orange, and the bitterness will seem rounder.

Bitter compounds from the still, organically grown herbs

The fact that a bitter aperitif comes from a grain distillery has to do with the process. According to Sasse, Wellpaero is created from the part that remains in the still during distillation. While the alcohol evaporates into the distillate, the bitter compounds of the herbs remain in this essence. That is exactly what a bitter spritz needs. The extraction process, during which wormwood, gentian, and fruit release their flavor, takes about a week.

For this purpose, the distillery processes freshly harvested, organic-quality herbs by hand. According to their own statements, they do not use any preservatives, colorings, or added artificial flavors. The concentrate is produced in Schöppingen in Münsterland by Lagerkorn GmbH, the company behind Feinbrennerei Sasse. Along with Ginger Melissa and Limoncello, Vermouth & Orange forms the distillery's Wellpaero range, here with a focus on bitter herbs.

For bitter fans, spritz evenings, and anyone staying sober today

This bottle is for everyone who loves a tart aperitif and wants to drink it without alcohol. For hosts, it is the non-alcoholic answer to a bitter spritz. If you prefer things lemony and sweeter, reach for the Wellpaero Limoncello; if you are looking for fresh herbs, choose the Wellpaero Ginger Melissa. You can find more under our non-alcoholic spirits and on our Sasse page. Those expecting a sweet orange soda will be surprised by the bitterness. The concentrate is not suitable for drinking neat.

Wormwood, gentian, and blood orange as an organic concentrate – the non-alcoholic bitter spritz aperitif from Sasse in Münsterland for that orange-red glass in the evening.