In Mallorca, the art of slowing down is second nature. As the sun sets, the aperitivo marks that golden hour between day and night, inviting a pause before the evening begins. An aperitivo is more than a drink, it’s a quiet ritual that awakens the senses and reminds us to slow down. Traditionally, the light and aromatic pre-dinner drink is less about intoxication and more about the stimulation of appetite, conversation and presence.
Cala Falcó at Spring reimagines this timeless ritual for modern moment, crafting a natural, alcohol-free aperitivo, inspired by the organic botancials of a Mallorcan Spring Harvest, the island's mineral richness and regenerative spirit.
The word "apertivo" comes from the Latin “aperire”, meaning “to open,” originally linked to opening the appetite, a custom that later developed into pre-dinner rituals in both Italy and Spain.
What began as a simple medicinal practice to prepare the stomach before eating, gradually evolved into a cultural ritual. Its earliest expressions emerged in Italy, particularly in the northern regions around Turin, where fortified wines and bitter herbal elixirs were crafted by monks, apothecaries and early distillers. As the practice evolved, it travelled across the Mediterranean and took on new character in Spain, where lighter, aromatic drinks became a gentle prelude to long, late dinners and slow evenings spent outdoors.
From these beginnings, the aperitivo spread across Europe, shifting from a functional digestive aid into a social ritual that marked the transition from day to night. Today, the natural alcohol-free aperitivo carries that legacy forward, staying true to its original purpose yet crafted from botanicals, herbs and minerals to gently awaken the body and restore a natural sense of balance and calm.
Herbs such as rosemary, lemon, and masti are rich in natural compounds from antioxidants to aromatics that support mood, cognition, and immune function. Their uplifting and clarifying effects make the aperitivo not only a sensory pleasure but also a quiet act of self-care. When these botanicals are woven into a natural aperitivo, the ritual becomes not only a social act but a restorative one, helping the body return to a state of ease and equilibrium.
At Cala Falcó, every ingredient is rooted in land, grown and gathered on the Cala Falcó estate in Mallorca.
Each botanical is chosen not only for their flavour but for their natural, adaptogenic function and vitality such as:
Together, these ingredients form the foundation of Cala Falcó at Spring, crafted without artificial additives to create a perfectly balanced and aromatic natural alcohol-free botanical aperitivo.
“The botanicals we use are chosen with intention as their chemistry is shaped by the Mallorcan landscape. The rosemary that grows on our coastline carries a different aroma than rosemary grown inland, and that difference matters. With Cala Falco at Spring, we work to capture this natural expression of the island in a way that brings clarity, balance and a gentle sense of energy before a meal” - Victor, Biochemist and Lab Director at Cala Falco
Modern nutritional science is increasingly supporting the original purpose of the aperitivo. Spirits Selection explains how bitter spirits were originally created for medicinal purposes and crafted by doctors to ease stomach pains. Today, research supports that bitter and aromatic botanicals can stimulate digestive enzymes, enhance salivation, and gently “wake up” the digestive system before a meal.
This renewed understanding of how botanicals support the body aligns with a broader cultural shift towards a more mindful and sober-curious drinking culture. As drinking habits evolve, the natural aperitivo becomes more than a drink. It becomes a way to honour connection and presence. Forbes notes that the sober curious movement isn’t about abstaining, but about redefining joy without relying on alcohol. Naturally aperitivos like Cala Falcó at Spring offer exactly that, creating a ritual for those who look for richness rather than restriction.
The aperitivo is best savoured slowly, served chilled and undiluted to allow the flavours speak for themselves, or lightly carbonated for a bright, sparkling spritz. It’s a drink made for golden hour, a moment when the aperitivo ritual comes to life, to be paired with sunset light, a sea breeze and company that makes time slow down.
Cala Falcó at Spring captures that moment with ease. Whether you’re choosing to step back from alcohol or simply seeking something with more soul, it offers a way to rediscover the spirit of spring as vibrant, aromatic and restorative, and carry that sense of ease into every season.
An aperitivo is a light pre-dinner drink that is designed to awaken the appetite and encourage a slow, social transition into the evening
A natural aperitivo is crafted from botanicals, herbs, spices and citrus without any artificial flavours, additives or processed sugars.
Not necessarily, but many modern natural aperitivos, including Cala Falcó at Spring choose to be alcohol-free to emphasise clarity, flavour and wellbeing.
It removes alcohol entirely and returns to the botanical, functional roosts of the aperitivo ritual while capturing the spirit of Mallorca.
Traditionally, it is enjoyed before a meal to awaken the senses and usually at golden hour.
Botanicals like rosemary, lemon and mastic contain compounds shown to support mood, cognition and digestive balance.
