Haus, the New Aperitif With a 3,000-Person Wait List, Launched This Week

Citrusy, with a hint of elderflower. Perfect paired with a splash of Prosecco, club soda, or even, as this writer can personally attest, Vinho Verde. Haus is the new aperitif in town, launched this week after amassing a wait list of 3,000 (!).

Summer is a time for spritzes, and although the Aperol variety has drawn divisive comments in recent months, they’re still one of the easiest and most pleasant cocktails to sip when the sun is beating down. Haus, made by a third-generation winemaking family, is a natural, low-alcohol alternative to the Italian aperitif; it has one-third the alcohol of whiskey, tequila, or gin. 

The product is meant to make parties and nightcaps guilt-free. “We designed Haus because after working in the wine and spirits world, we wanted something better than what was currently out there. Something without all of the alcohol and sketchy ingredients. Something we could drink all night without worrying about being hungover the next day,” says cofounder Helena Price Hambrecht. “You drink Haus like a spirit, but it tastes like a $20 cocktail from Brooklyn straight out of the bottle.”

Of course, taste is important, but we’re also suckers for great design—which Haus has in spades. Each bottle is painted and could make for a lovely vase after you’ve enjoyed all of its contents (without looking like a college-style upcycled wine bottle). 

Haus can now be ordered in quantities of two or three, with a price of $35 per bottle. After trying it for ourselves, we can confidently say it wouldn’t hurt to stock up. After all, there are plenty of toasts to be made.

Haus, Two Bottles ($70)

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