Functional, Non-Alcoholic Spirits and Cocktails
A Quick Guide to Aplós
Aplós Arise
Uplifting, Energizing
Adaptogens
Aplós Calme and Aplós Ease
Calming, Relaxing
Calme: Broad-Spectrum Hemp
Ease: Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Mezcal, Tequila
Savory, Spicy
Agave Flower, Lemon Verbena, Black Sarawak
Effects
Functionals
Substitutes Gin
Herbaceous
Yuzu, Basil, Shiso, Dandelion
Flavor Profile
Flavor Notes
Why We Made Aplós
Crafted by Cocktail Aficionados
What are Functional Ingredients?
13 Our Portfolio
Spirits Overview
Aplós Calme and Aplós Ease
Ume Spritz
Mandora Negroni
Aplós Arise
Chili Margarita
Kola Fashioned
Cocktail Recipes FAQ
Notes
We started Aplós with a simple question:
Can we create a spirit that has everything we love about a traditional, alcoholic spirit: sophistication, complexity, versatility, the buzz just without the alcohol?
Why We Made Aplós
David Co-Founder and CEO
Emily Co-Founder and CMO
David has always been a reluctant drinker and wanted to create something that captured everything he loved about the cocktail occasion— sophisticated flavor profiles, an elevated presentation and experience, connection with friends, and a buzz you feel in the moment—but to leave behind the negative elements: the health implications, hangovers, anxiety, loss of control.
Emily, on the other hand, enjoys alcohol in moderation, but during COVID, she realized how much drinking “norms” had dictated her approach to alcohol. Creating an option for people who want to cut back on alcohol, to stop all together, or simply to enjoy a night out without feeling ostracized, became paramount. Turns out, this was a sentiment a lot of people share.
Crafted by Cocktail Aficionados
It begins behind the bar.
Lynnette Marrero,1 award-winning bartender and Aplós liquid creative director, starts with a vision rooted in decades of experience and understanding of the structure, viscosity, nuance, and composition of a great lead spirit and craft cocktail.
Over many months and dozens of iterations, herbs, fruits, bitters and botanicals are blended and perfectly balanced to craft a nose and flavor journey that delivers a distinct and sophisticated liquid that can be consumed neat, on-the-rocks, or as a lead spirit in a cocktail.
Our unique spirits are perfected and produced in small batches by experts in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1 Lynnette Marrero is the Latiné co-creator of the Speed Rack international women bartending competition and the MasterClass Mixology teacher. Lynnette has over 20 years of drinks industry experience and has been recognized by the James Beard Awards, Food & Wine, among many others.
What are Functional Ingredients?
Functional ingredients are the part of our spirits that give you a buzz, but avoid alcohol’s harmful effects.
Aplós Calme Aplós Ease
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supports cognitive function and focus
Broad-Spectrum Hemp
Calms and relaxes
Magnesium Glycinate
Eases stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality
Aplós Arise
Vitamin D
Boosts serotonin production
L-Choline Bitartrate
Helps decrease stress and anxiety while boosting mood
Suntheanine
Promotes mental agility and focus
Moringa Seed Extract
Boosts energy, decreases fatigue, and reduces inflammation.
Vitamin B12 Boosts energy
Ginseng Increases serotonin levels to make you feel at ease and uplifted
Spirits Overview
Our spirits are formulated to function as the lead spirit in any craft cocktail while our craft cocktails feature each of our spirits in a convenient, ready-to-drink format.
Aplós Arise, infused with adaptogens (p.20)
Aplós Arise
750 mL
Chili Margarita
250 mL
Kola Fashioned 250 mL
Aplós Calme, made with broad-spectrum hemp (p.16)
Aplós Calme
750 mL
Aplós Ease, infused with Lion’s Mane mushroom (p.16)
Aplós Ease
750 mL
250 mL
Ume Spritz
Mandora Negroni
Aplós Calme and Ease
Crafted for moments of unwind, Aplós Calme and Aplós Ease are a complex blend of citrus and herbal botanicals infused with plantbased functionals. Serve alongside thoughtful conversation or introspection.
Effects
Calming, Relaxing
Calme Functionals
20mg of CBD rich, broad-spectrum hemp per serving
Ease Functionals
100 mg Lion’s Mane, 150 mg Magnesium
Glycinate, and 150 mg
Suntheanine per serving
Nose Herbal, Mint, Cucumber, Sweet Citrus
Flavor Notes Yuzu, Basil, Shiso, Dandelion
Flavor Journey Citrus, Herbal, Cooling, Bitter
Descriptors Calming, Refreshing
1 We use a nano-emulsification technology to convert the hemp extract oil into smaller, water-soluble particles to allow your body to absorb the active cannabinoids faster and more efficiently.
cannabis sativa l. 1
hericium erinaceus
Ume Spritz
Featuring Aplós Ease
Originating from Japanese plums, ume (ooo-mae) has a mix of zesty sweetness with a subtle hint of floral flavors. Our Ume Spritz cocktail is perfect for a day by the pool or an afternoon unwind.
Flavor Ume plum, Oroblanco grapefruit, White tea, Sea buckthorn
Function 100mg Lion’s Mane, 150mg Magnesium, 150mg Suntheanine per serving
Nutrition 30 calories, 3g sugar, no added sugar
Mandora Negroni
Featuring Aplós Ease
A perfect balance of bitter, citrus and sweet, our Mandora Negroni is crafted with mandora orange, bitter quassia, sarsaparilla, and oakwood. The quintessential end-of-day wind down.
Flavor Mandora orange, Bitter quassia, Sarsaparilla, Oakwood
Function 100mg Lion’s Mane, 150mg Magnesium, 150mg Suntheanine per serving
Nutrition 65 calories, 11g sugar, no added sugar
Aplós Arise
Crafted for moments of revelry, Arise is a bold blend of citrus and herbal botanicals is infused with adaptogens1 to create a spirit that stimulates and elevates. Serve alongside lively conversation or celebration.
Effects
Uplifting, Energizing
Functionals
165 mg Adaptogens per serving
Nose Savory, Spicy, Green, Peppery
Flavor Notes
Agave Flower, Lemon Verbena, Black Sarawak
Flavor Journey Green, Citrus, Heat, Bitter
Descriptors Invigorating, Buzzy
agave americana
1 Adaptogens are plant substances (often herbs or mushrooms) that help our body manage stress and maintain balance.
Chili Margarita
Featuring Aplós Arise
The party-starter made portable. Citrusy from the mandarin, with a hint of spice from orange habanero. Our Chili Margarita cocktail is your companion for a lively night out with friends.
Flavor Mandarin, Persian lime, Orange habanero, Sea salt
Function 100mg Suntheanine, 50mg L-Choline
Bitartrate, 6.2mg Moringa Extract
Nutrition 30 calories, 2g sugar, no added sugar
Kola Fashioned
Featuring Aplós Arise
Warm notes of kola nut, smoked cherrywood, cardamom, toasted coconut, and ginger make the Kola Fashioned an ideal companion for late night revelry and easy mornings.
Flavor Spiced kola nut, Smoked cherrywood, Cardamom, Toasted coconut, Ginger
Function 100mg Suntheanine, 50mg L-Choline
Bitartrate, 6.2mg Moringa Extract
Nutrition 65 calories, 8g sugar, no added sugar
Mapping Flavor Profiles
Aplós non-alcoholic spirits are designed with the intention of being used as a lead spirit in a cocktail.
We encourage you to experiment with our non-alcoholic spirits just as you would any traditional spirit. Aplós Calme, Ease and Arise were designed with careful consideration and deep understanding of the composition of a great craft cocktail.
We’re so excited you’re experimenting with Aplós. Which aspect of the cocktail are you exploring?
Flavor Profile
Alcohol Substitution
We Recommend We Recommend
Calme or Ease Arise
Herbaceous Gin Savory, Spicy Mezcal, Tequila
Cocktail Recipes
Aplós French 75
Aplós Calme or Ease 2 oz
Lemon juice 1/2 oz
Honey syrup 1/2 oz
Non alc sparkling wine 2 oz
Lemon wheel
Laundry Day
Aplós Calme or Ease 2 oz
Fresh grapefruit juice 3 oz
Lavender syrup 3/4 oz
Chilled sparkling water 2 oz
Cucumber ribbon
A Few Good Things
Aplós Calme or Ease 2 oz
Lime juice 2 oz
Simple syrup 3/4 oz
Cucumber ribbon
Mint leaves 4-6
Dancing Shoes
Aplós Arise 2 oz
Agave nectar 1 tsp
Lime Juice 1/2 oz
Orange flower water splash
Shiso leaf
Aplós Sour
Aplós Arise 2 oz
Egg white 1
Fresh lemon juice 1 oz
Simple syrup 1/2 oz
Cherry
The Day After
Aplós Arise 2 oz
Tomato juice 2 oz
Worcesstershire sauce 1-2 dashes
Horseradish pinch
Celery seed + Cayenne pinch each
FAQ
Q What does Aplós mean?
A Aplós” means “simple” in Greek. Aplós was founded on the philosophy that there is pleasure and profoundness to be drawn from the simple things that surround us.
Q What is a functional beverage?
A A functional beverage is typically a drink that contains functional ingredients that provide some sort of effect on your body. To replicate the experience of a traditional spirit, we are committed to creating non-alcoholic spirits that have a mood-altering effect, not a mind-altering effect. We use ingredients such as hemp, adaptogens and nootropics to relax and unwind, or uplift and energize.
Q What are adaptogens?
A Adaptogens are plant substances (often herbs or mushrooms) that help our body manage stress and maintain balance.
Q What are nootropics?
A Nootropics are natural substances known to support cognitive function and brain performance.
Q What is the shelf life?
A Aplós spirits are good for 60 days after opening. Refrigeration is not required. If unopened, Aplós shelf life is one year.
Q How will Calme make me feel?
A The active compounds (called cannabinoids) in hemp interact with your endocannabinoid system—which regulates things like mood, appetite, sleep—and affect everyone differently, just like coffee.
Q How long will it take to feel the effects of Calme?
A We use a nano-emulsification technology for our hemp extract which results in a calming and uplifting effect with a rapid onset within 15 – 30 minutes and peak absorption within 1– 2 hours. This provides more control and a more predictable experience.
Q How will Ease make me feel?
A Infused with lion’s mane, magnesium, and suntheanine, Ease is formulated to calm the mind and promote a sense of well being. Most feel a gentle relaxing effect after 1–2 servings.
Q How will Arise make me feel?
A Our proprietary blend of adaptogens was formulated to elevate mood, stimulate brain function and boost energy. Most feel a gentle, energizing feeling after just one or two servings. We recommend starting with just one serving and waiting 15 – 20 minutes before pouring yourself another.
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