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Haus Alcohol Review: Do Haus' Low-Alcohol Aperitífs Live up to the Hype?

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Reviewed by Matt Hayes

Last Updated January 2022

Haus aperitif review

The Bottom Line:

If you’re looking to make some delicious cocktails that flow all night long without the wretched hangover, get excited to try Haus. The flavors are rich and complex, with myriad options, no matter your palate’s preference. My personal favorite for refreshing, on-the-rocks sipping were the Rose Rosé and the Citrus Flower. I also loved the low-alcohol take on the Moscow Mule using Haus’ zesty Ginger Yuzu aperitif. With the ability to drink on the rocks, as a spritzer or mixed as a cocktail, you’re bound to love every flavor. Haus aperitifs are incredibly versatile, so get ready to get your Mixologist on.

Pros

  • Handmade in Sonoma County, CA
  • Great for casual drinking
  • Lower alcohol content
  • Rich, complex flavors
  • Great recipes included

Cons

  • Some reviewers said “too sweet”
  • Slightly pricey
The Sampler Kit Sale

HAUS

The Sampler Kit

$60

In our taste tests we found Haus aperitifs deliciously rich and complex. With a number of great recipes included they are a versatile way to build a variety of cocktails. The alcohol content is lower, which we personally appreciated. It was nice being able to have several cocktails without worrying about the hangover pain train to come the following day. The only downside is they are a bit pricey.

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The Highlights

  • Made from natural herbs and botanical extracts
  • 18% alcohol by volume (ABV) – less than hard liquors
  • 7 flavors to choose from, including Rose Rose, Ginger Yutzu, and Citrus Flower
  • Best served on the rocks, as a spritz with soda water, or as a cocktail mixer
  • Aperitifs are low-alcohol digestifs meant to sip and enjoy
  • Founded by Woody and Helena Price Hambrecht in Sonoma, CA
haus aperitifs experience

Taste Testing the Haus Sampler Pack

I generally consider myself to be a reasonably well-cultured millennial. But beyond having heard the phrase ‘aperitif,’ I had no clue what it meant, other than being a type of fancy-sippin’ French booze. However, since my sample 4-pack of Haus aperitifs recently arrived, I’ve been schooled on how Haus co-founders Woody and Helena Price Hambrecht are resurrecting the early European traditions of drinking these low-alcohol digestifs, drinks traditionally consumed before a meal to aid in digestion.

In their “A Note from the Founders,” they say:

"We created Haus because we were looking for a better way to drink, and just couldn’t find anything out there that worked for us. We were tired of all the alcohol and sugar, the food colorings, the fake flavors and the outdated aesthetics.” [W]e made our first batch of Haus in our living room, with a bucket of chardonnay and a pile of meyer lemons from our yard. We filled mason jars with fruits and flowers, steeping them in brandy to extract their essence, adding drops of new flavors to the wine bucket until we got the recipe just right.”

After flipping through the beautifully-designed magazine insert, full of sexy drink images, tasty recipes, and evocative stories about their origin story and mission, I was giddy to start trying out my samplers and getting my Mixologist on. On their website, you can choose their recommended bestsellers, or you can customize your mix. I customized mine, choosing Ginger Yuzu, Rose Rose, Citrus Flower and Bitter Clove.

haus sampler kit taste tests
haus sampler kit experience

Ratings Breakdown

QUALITY

★★★★★
High quality, clinically proven, natural skincare. The Glow Activating Exfoliator is unparaleled.

VALUE

★★★★
Inexpensive compared to other luxury products, but still on the expensive side compared to some other products available in the market. Savings when you buy the set.

CUSTOMER
EXPERIENCE

★★★★★
The most beautiful packaging we’ve seen to date. The website and packaging all explain the background behind each product, the problems it tackles, and how to use it. Not to mention they look great!

BRAND

★★★★★
Inclusive and educational with a focus on connecting outer and inner beauty. Plus the company features a give-back element to help children from impoverished backgrounds.

PERKS

★★★★
Came with helpful hairclips to pin hair back when working through your Ritual. Also sell merchandise like comfy sweatshirts.

Rose Rosé: Best on-the-rocks flavor

haus rose rosé review

My fiancé and I have quite a healthy wine habit, and her varietal of choice is rose. Her order at every restaurant: “What’s your driest rose?” Her supermarket test: hold the bottle to the light, and pick the blushest pink of the bunch. With that in mind, I was sure both she and I would be put off by the sweetness of this bright pink aperitif. But we were so pleasantly surprised. Haus’ Rose Rose isn’t overly sweet. It’s a beautiful balance of fragrant, fruit-forwardness that picks up cherry notes, while finishing dry and refreshing. We thought it was the easiest to drink on the rocks of all the flavors we tried, and probably our favorite overall. Can’t wait to pickup more full-size bottles for beach season.

Shop Haus Rose Rose – $40 ➔

Ginger Yuzu: Perfect for a Spicy Haus Mule

haus ginger yuzu review

This spicy little number is perfect for those who love the taste of ginger. I happen to love it and was in heaven when I made my low-alcohol Haus Mule (1 part Haus Ginger Yuzu, 1 part Ginger beer, splash of lime juice, splash of aromatic bitters). However, many reviewers thought it was too zesty for them. So, if you’re someone who loves a spicy ginger beer or Moscow Mule, you’ll probably dig this flavor.
Shop Haus Ginger Yuzu - $35 ➔

Bitter Clove: Complex Flavors, Perfect for a Light Spritz

bitter clove haus review

Bitter Clove is a really complex flavor profile that grows on you the more you sip. The first sip for me had really strong cinnamon and clove notes. It reminded me of a gingerbread cookie. But, I found myself going back to it again and again, and as my tastebuds warmed up to the spicy clove notes, I really started to like it. Though I didn’t try it, I think it would pair perfectly with a splash of soda water, ginger beer or even rye whisky.

Shop Haus Bitter Clove – $35 ➔

Citrus Flower: So delicious I’m at a loss for words

haus citrus flower review

First reaction: “Wow, that’s fuckin’ good.” It’s hard to describe what I love about Haus’ Citrus Flower. Perhaps my palette isn’t sophisticated enough yet. But, to me, it tastes like a fragrant lemon-based rose. It has a lot of the same subtleties as the Rose Rose, but with a distinctly citrus vivaciousness. I imagine myself drinking bottomless Citrus Flowers over brunch on a beautiful spring day. Definitely one of our favs.

Shop Haus Citrus Flower- $35 ➔