I don’t quite remember the exact moment I learned about Aplos, but I was immediately drawn to their branding. The light calm colors featuring lots of nature connected with me. Unlike the drinks we’ve reviewed so far, Aplos contains Hemp, so this drink is restricted to consumers 18+. Will this drink make a good impact on us? Or will we pass? Check out our review to see what we think! TLDR? Skip to the rating.
About Aplos
On their website, there wasn’t much information about the founders or the brand itself. The site was designed to convert sales, with most pages leading to the products and ultimately the checkout. However, I was able to find a Forbes interview that gave a great introduction to the history of the Aplos.
According to founders David Fudge and Jessica Manley, Aplós – Greek for “simple” — is a “first-of-its-kind” product in the U.S. beverage industry.
Aplós is billed as a “new way to unwind” and designed to “replicate a spirit-like experience,” Fudge told me.
“It is something that you can layer, and have three or four drinks throughout the night, alongside someone that is drinking alcohol,” he said.
Their shared desire to help people disconnect from the fast-paced hustle of startup life informed the way they constructed the Aplós brand.
“When you think about this always-on society that we live in, most often the common way we deal with stress is with alcohol,” he added. “I like the experience of having a cocktail, but I don’t like the way it makes me feel after that initial drink.”
That’s why Fudge set out to create a product that could fit into alcohol occasions – like a beverage at the end of a long workday or a happy hour with friends – but without the hangover.
Forbes.com
After moving out of the city, I can completely identify with the way Fudge felt. For many years of my life, it was always about more, more, more. We were always on the move to find the latest restaurant, coolest new bar, unique experiences. There was rarely a moment to just sit, breath, reflect on life and how far we’ve come. If his true intention was to bottle that feeling – Aplos may be on to something.
Is there Alcohol in the Aplos Calme?
Aplos Calme is categorized as a Sham Spirit and also as a Functional Sip. We added this new category to better categorize all the drinks that had additional benefits beyond just a drink.
A functional beverage is typically a drink that contains functional ingredients that provide some sort of effect on your body. These ingredients may include things like caffeine, or plant-derived ingredients that have been shown to improve your health in some way.
Aplos.world
Although Aplos doesn’t have alcohol, it does contain 20mg of hemp. This is how Aplos described the effects of the hemp in their product.
A complex blend of citrus and herbal botanicals is infused with broad-spectrum hemp to create a spirit that calms and relaxes without the negative effects of alcohol. Serve alongside thoughtful conversation or introspection.
Active compounds (called cannabinoids) interact with your endocannabinoid system—which regulates things like mood, appetite, sleep—and affect everyone differently, just like coffee.
Aplos.World
Although the thought of consuming something from the cannabis family as a non-alcoholic is a bit unorthodox- Aplos does a great job of explaining why they chose to use hemp and the intended benefits of its consumption.
It’s also worth noting that they display the following notice. We encourage you to educate yourself on these products if you’re interested in making it part of your daily routine.
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.”
Aplos.world
Aplos Calme Botanical Spirit First impressions
You already know my thoughts on their branding – totally my vibe. The website was beautiful, and so were pictures that popped up on my social media feed. The Aplos drinks arrived in a cardboard box with their dandelion seed icon on the side. It was very subtle but nicely done. Each of the glass bottles had a beautiful shape to them, and possibly the best feature of the packaging was the suction glass that sealed the glass. It’s such a small touch, but feels so luxurious.
The drink itself had a cloudy white appearance. Hints of floral, sweet, and tangy aroma all hit at the same time. It smelled like a well blended drink, with each of the flavors complementing one another very well. There wasn’t a singular scent that outshined the rest.
What does Aplos Calme Taste Like?
This is the first hemp drink I’ve tried. I know of hemp as a sustainable clothing fabric. So what would that taste like?
Think of Aplós as an alternative to your preferred liquor. Our herbal citrus flavor profile has extracts of yuzu, rosemary, basil, cucumber and dandelion.
- Bright citrus extracts of yuzu and calamansi heighten the senses
- Herbaceous extracts of rosemary, basil and coriander add nuance and complexity
- Dandelion and gentian root are layered in for an earthy bitterness
- Fresh notes of cucumber, mint and shiso cool the palate
Aplos.World
If I had to pick one flavor to describe Aplos, it would be a Yuzu flavored botanical drink. The taste is very herbal, with a very subtle bitter profile. However, it wasn’t off-putting (like a health shot). The taste was very light and not too sweet. It’s like they captured the essence of all these ingredients and delicately incorporated them together.
Aplos Calme Non Alcoholic Spirit Rating and Review
This functional sip receives 4 Sips from us. If you’re open to trying hemp, we recommend you try this one. The flavors aren’t overpowering and overall, a very light and enjoyable drink. It’s refreshing and when served over ice with sparkling water, as they recommend, really gives another dimension to this non alcoholic spirit. The only reason we wouldn’t put this into our daily rotation is due to the hemp.
For me personally, it makes me feel sleepy. I drink this at night, so it’s probably a combination of my long day plus the relaxing effects of the drink. After consuming the drink, I also find myself more reluctant to wake up the next morning. That was especially true if I had a glass later in the evening.
It sounds alarming but to be fair, drinking caffeine also disrupts my sleep patterns just like this. As much as I enjoy an “assisted” great night’s rest, with kids, there is no pause to this “fast-paced hustle”. So I need to be a bit more selective when we choose to consume this drink. Aplos Calme would be reserved for special weeks where we have some time off.
Aplos Calme Details
Smaller, water-soluble particles to allow your body to absorb the active cannabinoids faster and more efficiently, resulting in a calming and uplifting effect with a rapid onset within 15-30 minutes and peak absorption within 1-2 hours.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease.
Do not consume if you are under 18 years old, pregnant, nursing, have any liver condition or are taking medication. Not sure if Aplós is right for you? Ask your doctor.
Aplos.World
Nutritional Breakdown: Calories 15, Total Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 20mg, Total Carb 1g, Protein 0g,
Ingredients: Filtered water, broad-spectrum hemp extract, organic flavors, citric acid, acacia gum, sea salt, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate.
Maturation: Good for 60 days after opening.
Serve: Mix one part Aplos Calme with two parts sparkling water and a squeeze of citrus.
“Serve alongside thoughtful conversation or introspection.” – love it!
Price: $48 / bottle, 10 servings.
Where to buy Aplos Calme
We purchased Aplos online through their online store. You can opt for a subscription but we purchased it as a one-time purchase, just so we can get a good taste for it.