Crodino

The drink launched under the name Picador before settling on the Crodino name in 1965. In 1995, the Campari Group acquired Crodino as part of a broader portfolio purchase, bringing the brand into one of the world's largest drinks companies whilst preserving its distinct identity.

The formula is built around a secret blend of 15 botanicals, with nutmeg, coriander, cloves, and cardamom among the disclosed ingredients. The botanical extract is left to rest for up to six months before the final product is assembled, a process Crodino credits for the drink's layered, spiced character. That extended resting period is central to what makes Crodino unusual in the AF aperitif category: the flavour complexity comes from time and botanical depth rather than from adapting an alcoholic base.

In 2014, to mark the brand's 50th anniversary, Crodino introduced a blood orange variant alongside the original recipe. Both sit within the Italian aperitivo tradition, intended to be served chilled and short over ice, a format familiar to anyone who has ordered a pre-dinner drink in northern Italy. Crodino has carried that ritual into international markets over more than 60 years.

Distribution spans mainstream supermarkets and specialist alcohol-free retailers, making Crodino one of the more accessible imported AF aperitifs available. The mid-range pricing reflects its positioning as an everyday aperitivo choice rather than an occasional luxury. Crodino occupies an unusual position in the AF aperitif category: a brand that predates the sober-curious movement by decades and arrived at international distribution through longevity rather than trend-following.