Collection: IESSI

IESSI is a non-alcoholic aperitif with Italian roots – born from memories of long summer evenings in Friuli, in northeastern Italy. It was there that founder Nico Maiarelli discovered the world of tart flavors with his Nonna Eda: fermented vegetables, smoked ricotta, and her legendary homemade herbal amaro. Always served ice cold. Always part of a small ritual.

Later, between New York and Paris, this taste stuck with him. Maiarelli began to rethink the recipe: less digestif, more aperitif—brighter, fresher, with more citrus flavor. And at some point, it became clear: This should be a non-alcoholic drink that contains everything that matters. Just without the alcohol.

To realize his recipe, Nico Maiarelli repeatedly traveled back to Northern Italy – to the small port city of Trieste. There, in a family-run distillery not far from his grandparents' house, he found the partners with whom he turned his vision of iessi into reality.

For almost a year, we tested, fine-tuned, and refined it together. Because without alcohol as a carrier, more precision and sensitivity are required: bitter orange, cherry, rhubarb, gentian, and a hint of chili now create what defines IESSI – an alcohol-free aperitif with real weight on the palate, depth of flavor, and a hint of Italian sunshine in the glass.