Drink Haus Review: Elevating Happy Hour with Farm-Fresh Apéritifs

Introducing Haus Apéritifs

Haus is a modern apéritif company launched in 2018 by husband and wife duo Helena and Woody Hambrecht. Inspired by the slow-sipping aperitivo culture of Italy and France, the Sonoma Valley-based brand aims to transform Happy Hour in America one bottle at a time.

Unlike mass-produced vermouths and bitters, Haus constructs small-batch apéritifs from a meticulous farm-to-bottle process using local wine grapes and botanicals. With lower alcohol and sugar than traditional options, their fruit-forward elixirs strike an ideal balance between bitter, sweet, and herbaceous.

Raising a glass doesn’t have to mean rowdy nights ending in regret. Haus invites you to reconnect over honest drinks that stimulate the senses. Keep reading my thorough review of Haus Apéritifs to discover their origins, unique blends, customer feedback and more to decide if they deserve a spot behind your home bar.

The Inception Story of Haus

Long before masterminding unique apéritif recipes in California wine country, founders Helena and Woody Hambrecht fell in love over drinks in Europe. During their adventures abroad in the 2010s, they immersed themselves in Old World aperitivo tradition.

Pre-dinner spritzes served as "happy hour" in European culture for centuries. Bitter liqueurs or aromatized wines stimulate appetite and promote sociability rather than inebriation.

The Hambrechts fondly recall bonding with friends new and old while sipping Aperol Spritz and Campari in Berlin watering holes. Lamenting the lack of comparable pre-dinner drinking culture in America, a lightbulb went off – they could bring those flavors stateside!

Fast forward to 2018 when Haus Apéritifs was born in California wine country. Backed by family vineyard holdings in Sonoma, the Hambrechts constructed a boutique facility for small-batch production of European-inspired recipes.

"We make apéritifs that bring people together by stimulating the appetite for food, conversation and life’s simple pleasures," Helena Hambrecht said.

Without further adieu, let‘s uncork these captivating new flavors.

Haus Apéritifs – What‘s in the Bottle?

Authentic apéritifs titillate taste buds through a delicate balance of bitter and sweet. Traditional vermouth achieves this flavor seesaw through an extended maceration process. Haus modernizes this old-fashioned approach through traditional winemaking augmented by contemporary culinary science.

Their minimal intervention method starts by harvesting Chardonnay and Muscat grapes from organically-farmed Sonoma estates during peak ripeness. Gentle pressing and temperature-controlled fermentation preserve bright, fruit-forward characteristics. Snipped herbs and edible flowers make a cameo for botanical complexity without aggressive bitterness.

The final flourish comes through a proprietary rapid infusion method that extracts maximum flavor within a matter of days rather than weeks or months. This innovative process results in an intensely aromatic, fruit-driven profile at a lower alcohol content. (18-20% ABV to be exact).

Through this expedited approach, Haus offers Limoncello-like flavors that forgo lengthy trips to grandma’s root cellar. Their gorgeous lineup of apéritifs celebrate sunny California terroir through each swirl, sniff and sip.

Haus Apéritifs Tasting Lineup

Haus coaxes complexity from only a handful of vibrant ingredients in each apéritif. Ranging from bright and citrusy to warm, spicy and bittersweet, explore their kaleidoscope of botanical flavors.

Lemon Lavender – Zesty Meyer lemon and floral lavender mingle with warm baking spices atop a canvas of white wine. Sip straight over ice or splash into soda water.

Rosé Rosé – Notes of raspberry, cherry and rose petals shine through this vibrant pink apéritif kissed with white wine. Mix with Prosecco or soda water for instant sangria.

Citrus Flower – Sunny citrus notes of Meyer lemon tango with elderflower and a hint of saigon cinnamon in this salad-friendly pour.

Spiced Cherry – Plump Ranier cherries flirt with allspice, clove and cocoa nibs spiked with Tellicherry peppercorns. Swizzle with tonic water or enjoy straight up.

Bitter Clove – Warming botanicals like clove, caraway and orange peel mingle with ginger and angelica root atop a white wine canvas.

In addition to the core collection, Haus rolls out limited seasonal offerings along with quarterly Wine Club releases. No matter your flavor preference or occasion, they have a lively libation suited for slowing down and savoring the moment.

Sustainability Starts at the Source

In addition to flavor innovation in the bottle, Haus makes sustainable choices behind the scenes. They reuse tasting glasses, compost spent fruit and recycle water used for cleaning equipment. Bottles get capped with sugarcane rather than pollutant-heavy plastics.

Haus also monitors waste throughout their supply chain. For example, they rescue Reishi mushroom powder from the compost pile of local mushroom farmers. Repurposing unused harvest byproducts prevents nutrient pollution from entering waterways.

When it comes to energy, Haus powers their production facility entirely through renewable solar energy. They also utilize biofuel generators to limit grid dependence. Through these initiatives, Haus achieved Certified Carbonfree® status in 2021.

The Highs and Lows of Haus Apéritifs

Before uncorking a bottle, let‘s weigh the highs and low against the competition. Starting with the pros in Haus‘ corner:

Pros

• Lower alcohol than traditional apéritifs (18-20% ABV)
• Real, recognizable ingredients – no artificial flavors or colors
• Fruit-forward with less aggressive bitterness than Campari or Aperol
• Creative cocktail recipes provided for each apéritif
• Gorgeous packaging
• Organic, sustainable production methods
• Carbonfree® Certified
• Free shipping on orders $50+ in California

Areas for improvement include:

Cons

• Limited customer feedback due to newness of brand
• No option for nationwide shipping
• Steeper price point that competitors for smaller bottles
• Can only be purchased through Haus website

With twice as many positives as drawbacks, Haus makes a compelling case for upgrading happy hour. Let‘s see what fans of the brand have to say.

Sampling Haus Customer Reviews

As a newer arrival to the apéritif arena, sample customer feedback remains limited for Haus. However early adopters rewarded Haus with enthusiastic approval across bestselling offerings. Here‘s what fans are saying:

"This apéritif was amazing! We tried it on its own and in soda water with lime juice and mint. Such great flavors." – Lemon Lavender purchaser

"By far my favorite of the Haus apéritifs I’ve tried so far. It would also make a lovely cocktail mixer. Pleasantly sweet with a hint of spice." – Spiced Cherry buyer

"Opened this bottle immediately and made cocktails for friends who were visiting from NYC. Big hit with great flavors unlike anything else. Will definitely order more!" Citrus Flower reviewer

Beyond website reviews, professional tastemakers also approve of Haus pushing boundaries. Food & Wine applauds co-founder Helena Hambrecht‘s mission to "make better-for-you aperitifs filled with fruits, flowers and spices…” Bon Appetit also showers praise on their dry, crisp, herbaceous formulas.

Based on early feedback, Haus passes the taste test with flying colors. Handsome awards from culinary media provide further confidence in their craft.

How to Buy Haus Apéritifs

Ready to give Haus a shot? Access their line of apéritifs, wine club and specialty gift sets exclusively through DrinkHaus.com.

Pricing overview:

• Individual bottles – $35
• Build your own duo pack (2 bottles) – $70
• Limited edition seasonal releases – $40-50
• Wine club subscription (2 bottles delivered bi-monthly) – $70

Compared to mass market Italian bitters, Haus positions at a premium. However, their exquisite fruit-forward flavor and conscientious production justify the uptick for drinkers wanting the good stuff.

Use code HAUS10 to score 10% off your first order. Bottoms up!

Mixing with Haus – 5 Delightful Cocktail Recipes

Haus apéritifs shine when sipped solo over ice. However, a splash of bubbly water or spirit exponentially expands possible drink combinations.

Riff on classic Italian cocktails or invent your own thirst-quenching potion through these mixer recipes:

Spritz Switch Up

• 1 oz Haus Bitter Clove
• 3 oz sparkling wine or soda water
• Orange wheel garnish

Berry Refresher

• 1.5 oz Haus Rose Rosé
• 2 oz ginger beer
• Squeeze of lime
• Fresh raspberry

Haus Horse‘s Neck

• 1.5 oz Haus Citrus Flower
• 2 oz ginger beer
• Lemon twist

Honeyed Spice

• 1 oz Haus Spiced Cherry
• 1⁄2 oz Honey syrup
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• Splash of soda
• Lemon wheel garnish

Herbal Hit

• 1 oz Haus Lemon Lavender
• 3⁄4 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• 2 oz tonic water
• Cucumber slice garnish

Get the complete Haus cocktail recipe collection here.

Common Questions about Haus

Still pondering if Haus bottlings suit your craft beverage palette? These common questions provide additional insight.

What is an apéritif exactly?

An apéritif refers to low-alcohol libations served before dinner to stimulate appetite. Common examples include Italian amari, French quinquina wine, Spanish vermouth and German schnapps.

What‘s the difference between an aperitif, vermouth and liqueur?

While categories blur, aperitifs traditionally balance sweet and bitter flavors using a wine base plus herbs, barks, roots and peels. Vermouth starts with wine then simmers botanicals to extract flavor. Liqueurs use a spirit base augmented by fruit, cream, sugar or flavor additives.

How do you drink Haus apéritifs?

Serve Haus over ice, mixed into sparkling wine for DIY spritzes or add a splash to a classic cocktail like negronis or Manhattans.

Can you only buy Haus online?

For the moment, yes. Haus sells exclusively through their website with plans for retail expansion soon.

Does Haus offer nationwide shipping?

Not yet, but they plan to expand shipping zones beyond California in late 2023 due to popular demand!

Wine Club and Subscription Services

Can’t get enough of Haus‘ tempting botanical flavors? Join their exclusive wine club to receive curated seasonal selections.

The Haus Wine Club ships two bottles of ultra-limited releases every 2 months. Joining earns 10% off all purchases plus early access to new product launches.

Gift a membership toHaus Wine Club for the cocktail enthusiast on your holiday shopping list. Choose from 3, 6 or 12-month prepaid options starting at $140. Recipients receive a welcome package with tasting notes, recipes and VIP member perks.

View Wine Club details and purchase here.

Verdict – Is Haus Worth It?

If seeking a modern expression of old world apéritifs, Haus all the way. Their sunny, succulent flavors bottled at lower alcohol deliver sophisticated sipping for the health-conscious hedonist.

Those tired of cloyingly sweet liqueurs or aggressive amaros will relish Haus striking a charming balance through their small batch apéritifs. Creative elixirs like Spiced Cherry and Lemon Lavender bring warmth, complexity and just enough bitterness with a gentle ABV nudge.

Conscientious production values also appeal to drinkers wanting transparency from seed to sip. From sustainable farming to eco bottling, Haus checks off boxes beyond mere flavor.

Ready to elevate happy hour your repertoire of of bites, banter and balanced cocktails? Say "ja!" to Haus and discover your signature serve.