Top Non-Alcoholic Adaptogen Drinks for a Healthier Happy Hour

You just completed a monster project at work and you feel damn proud of yourself. It’s time to celebrate with a beverage that whispers to your brain, “Hey, friend. You did it! Now let’s relax.”

On instinct, you reach for a glass of rosé, looking forward to its promised dopamine hit, but then you remember alcohol raises anxiety levels as it wears off. That means tomorrow could feel much harder than it needs to be. Come to think of it, you’ve been there before. Many times. 😅

Okay, if not alcohol, what can you drink? Is it possible to enjoy happy hour with a mind-altering yet healthy libation?

It just so happens that, yes, you can, thanks to non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks. They’re like that third beverage, the one that’s not for hydration, nor caffeination but to melt away the stress. These fun little beverages have been a boon for my own sobriety.

What’s so special about them? Adaptogen drinks have powerful plant ingredients that humans have been using for thousands of years to help restore internal balance, support the immune system, and boost one’s mood. They can even produce a buzz.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at adaptogens and the best alcohol-free adaptogen drinks you can imbibe any day of the week—guilt-free.

Understanding Adaptogens

While the alcohol-free space is flourishing (it surpassed $11 billion last year and is expected to grow by 33% by 2026), adaptogens are rising in popularity along with it. Instagram-worthy drink brands are slapping the word “adaptogens” all over their packaging and social media. 

In simple terms, adaptogens are natural plant substances that help the body adapt to stress. Some of the most common adaptogens include ashwagandha, ginseng, reishi mushroom, maca, Schisandra, and Rhodiola rosea. Each adaptogen has unique benefits, but they all share the common goal of helping the body cope with stress.

Adaptogens are believed to work by regulating the body’s stress response system, which is also known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. When we experience stress, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that prepares us for the “fight or flight” response. However, prolonged exposure to cortisol can lead to negative health effects, such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Adaptogens help regulate the HPA axis by reducing the amount of cortisol released during stressful situations.

Why Are Non-Alcoholic Adaptogen Drinks Becoming So Popular?

One of the best ways to incorporate adaptogens into your diet is through adaptogen drinks, hence why so many are entering the market. From mushroom-infused elixirs to botanical tonics, these drinks combine adaptogenic herbs and other natural ingredients to create a sophisticated and healthy beverage that can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Unlike alcohol, adaptogens aim to enhance and balance your body’s chemistry instead of depressing it. Since they can help you feel good, they make a fun alternative to alcohol that’s more “grown-up” than having, say, a Shirley Temple. (Even though I love them! I’ll have mine with extra maraschino cherries, please.) 

Pour an adaptogen drink into a fancy glass, and you’ll enjoy the same social experience of any other happy hour or celebratory toast. I promise.

What Are the Health Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Adaptogen Drinks?

Adaptogen drinks have so many health benefits compared to alcohol. 

While it hardly needs mentioning, I’ll state the first and most obvious benefit. Alcohol contains ethanol, which is a toxin, whereas adaptogens are nontoxic with normal use. Some think that a little bit of alcohol may be harmless or even good for you, but new research has shown that no amount of alcohol is good for your health.

Second, many non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks are low in calories and sugar, making them a healthier choice than wine and traditional mixed drinks, which rely on sugar-loaded juices or soda.

Not only do they have less sugar (and less of a crash), but non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks might help combat stress. Many of the herbs and other ingredients found in these beverages have been shown to help regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, and support a healthy stress response. 

In addition to their stress-relieving properties, non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks can also help improve cognitive performance. Some of the herbs and other ingredients found in these drinks have been shown to support memory, creativity, and focus, making them an excellent choice if you’re looking to boost mental clarity and productivity.

Other potential benefits of non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks include improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and increased energy levels.

Top 13 Non-Alcoholic Adaptogen Drinks to Try 

Let’s take a look at 13 of the most popular non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks. As you’ll see, I have tried a good amount of them, but I’m still making my way through this list. Don’t worry – I’ll make sure to report back to you once I’ve tried them all.

1. De Soi 

Founded by pop star Katy Perry and master distiller Morgan McLachlan, De Soi is an adaptogenic sparkling apéritif (a cocktail that is typically consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite). 

Each flavor of De Soi contains organic and wildcrafted herbs, fruits, and flowers. Also referred to as elixirs, they’re designed to support different aspects of wellness, such as stress relief, immune support, and energy.

When I drink De Soi’s Golden Hour, I love the buzz it produces that leads me to feel more mellow—largely due to the lemon balm and L-theanine.

As for the taste, De Soi flavors range from bitter (Purple Lune and Champignon Dreams) to sweet (Golden Hour and Tres Rosé).

If you’ve ever tasted kombucha or the wine alternative, Proxies, the texture is similar, except De Soi is sparkling. Personally, I adore it!

Read my full De Soi review. 

2. Moment 

Moment is a woman-owned business with an interesting origin story. As the story goes, when the founder, Aisha, began to meditate, she found it helped manage the stress of her corporate job. She began to feel more productive, and her creativity was unleashed. Wanting to tap into that state without meditating, she researched hundreds of ingredients that could help induce a similar state, which led to the creation of Moment.

Moment offers a range of adaptogen drinks that claim to help you feel more focused, calm, and energized with organic, plant-based ingredients free from artificial sweeteners and flavors.

Each flavor consists of fun pairings like Blueberry Ginger and Lychee Mint and comes in either sparkling or still options.

3. Heywell

Heywell is a line of adaptogenic sparkling waters designed to support overall wellness, such as stress relief, immune support, and energy. These functional beverages carefully toe the line between tart and sweet while remaining low in sugar and calories. Each bottle is made with premium, plant-based organic ingredients.

I tried the Calm + Restore Heywell, which was herby and not too sweet. I’m glad to say that it actually did make me feel more calm. 10/10 would drink it again!

4. Aplos

Aplós is a line of non-alcoholic spirits infused with functional ingredients like hemp, adaptogens, and vitamins. There are two types: Arise and Calme. They’re both crafted for elegant taste and what they refer to as “the slow pleasures of the mind that follow.”

Just as with any traditional spirit, Aplós spirits can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed in a cocktail.

I have tried Calme, which is supposed to help mellow you out. I mixed it with some sparkling water and non-alcoholic bitters. While it did produce a calming effect, for now, I think I prefer De Soi’s Golden Hour. However, I am going to try it again because I wasn’t paying much attention when I poured it. I could have put too much in my glass. 😜

5. HiYo

HiYo promises an alcohol alternative that’s a healthier way for you to unwind. Watermelon lime, peach mango, and blackberry lemon combine with ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and cordyceps, creating a functional beverage line that serves as a feel-good chemical powerhouse. 

Drink a couple of cans, and you might experience what HiYo calls, “the float;” a warm and fuzzy feeling from its organic, adaptogen ingredients. 

6. Bonbuz

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I’ll let Bonbuz introduce themselves in their own words:

“We’re pioneering the future of drinking for that feel-good buzz. Through the natural power of nootropics, adaptogens, and medicinal mushrooms, our bold concoctions offer focus and energy while calming the nervous system for a night on the town or a productive afternoon.”

Bonbuz offers two different spirits, bonbuzOG and slowburn, as well as ready-to-drink canned “functional fizz” drinks called Tomorrow Things Fizz and Bad Enough Already Fizz.

I tried slowburn by mixing it with soda water and lime. It tastes like jalapeño, blood orange, and grapefruit. It was absolutely delicious. I don’t know how much of a buzz I felt (I’ll have to try it again), but it was worth drinking for the flavor and placebo effect you get from drinking this NA cocktail.

7. Kin Euphorics 

Like De Soi, Kin Euphorics was co-founded by an A-list celebrity (Bella Hadid), which only adds to the street cred of the growing, adaptogen-fueled, alcohol-free movement. 

Kin Euphorics’ functional beverages include: Actual Sunshine, Kin Spritz, Kin Bloom, and Lightwave. They are designed to give you a natural, alcohol-free buzz and are made with adaptogenic plant ingredients, nootropics like GABA and L-Theanine, and caffeine plus key vitamins.

I did notice a happier mood wash over me when I tried it. So, I recommend cracking open a Kin Euphorics whenever you want to feel more relaxed, social, and creative.

8. Charmlee

Charmlee’s drink trio, Youth, Libido, and Calm, are adaptogenic sparkling beverages inspired by the Santa Monica nature preserve of the same name. According to its founders, Charmlee embodies unadulterated, unaltered herbal remedies from the natural world, which have been employed for generations to align the body, mind, and soul. 

With ingredients like reishi mushroom, maca, ashwagandha, and CBD, you could think of Charmlee as a liquid supplement. You can supposedly drink Youth to brighten your complexion, Libido to feel bold and sexy, and Calm to kick anxiety to the curb. 

I brought Youth with me to the beach on a sunny day and really enjoyed it. While I can’t say it made me look younger, the taste had me feeling like I’d rewound a few years!!

9. SENTIA GABA Spirits

I have yet to try this one, but it tops my list of alcohol alternatives to try next. Here’s why…

SENTIA claims to use the finest ingredients to offer discerning adult drinkers what they want from alcohol—without the alcohol.

Calling itself the world’s first “GABA Spirit,” its patent-pending blend of ingredients creates a buzz by enhancing GABA, the neurotransmitter responsible for the sensation of sociability.

Like many adaptogen drinks, you can drink SENTIA neat or re-create your favorite cocktails with either of its two flavors: SENTIA Red (best for winding down) and SENTIA Black (best for getting more energized).

When it comes to taste, it’s said to have a distinctly heady and sweet aroma with spiced floral notes. The finish is bold and sumptuous, featuring bittersweet spiced berries.

10. Three Spirit 

Three Spirit offers non-alcoholic elixirs containing a fusion of active plant ingredients, adaptogens, nootropics, spices, and herbs. Created by plant scientists, herbalists, and bartenders, Three Spirit’s mission is to craft unique beverages for those who don’t want to drink alcohol, but still want to savor complex flavors with potentially mood-enhancing effects.

All Three Spirit non-alcoholic drinks are plant-based and gluten-free with sustainably sourced ingredients. They also use natural, fair-trade sources of sugar from things like watermelons, beets, and agave.

Another one on my list to try, multiple people in the NA space have recommended this brand to me. If you’ve tried it, please let me know what you think!

11. Recess 

Another one of my favorites, Recess is a colorful line of adaptogenic drinks designed to help you feel more relaxed, focused, and creative. 

Recess has four different products you can choose from:

• Recess (a balancing help and adaptogen drink)
• Recess Mood (a magnesium and adaptogen drink)
• Recess Zero Proof (ready-made adaptogen mocktails)
• Recess Mood Powder (with electrolytes)

Each type comes in multiple flavors, which you can purchase individually or try in their respective sample packs available online.

The first time I enjoyed Recess was at a coffee shop one late afternoon while catching up with a friend. Like alcohol, it definitely altered my mood, but I could still drive home! Now, whenever I see Recess while out and about or at the store, I always grab one or two. 

12. Juni

As I write this, I am taking a break from my all-day, everyday habit of drinking Waterloo and cracking open a raspberry-flavored Juni for the first time. It’s a not-too-sweet sparkling tea with adaptogens, and it’s super good. 

I am not disappointed by this soda alternative created by none other than Jay Shetty, the monk-turned-self-help guru, and his wife, Radhi.

Each can of Juni aims to give you a happy mind with its super blend of five ingredients; green tea, ashwagandha, lion’s mane, reishi, and acerola cherry. Besides raspberry, it comes in peach, lemon, or “tropical.” Juni is USDA-certified organic and has only five calories with zero sugar. 

13. Hop Wtr 

What if you could sip yourself into a summer state without sacrificing health? That’s what the founders of Hop Wtr say they wondered as they experimented with an alcohol-free beverage formula. 

Hop Wtr is packed with adaptogens and nootropics and comes in multiple fruity flavors like ruby red, grapefruit, or lime. Their sparkling waters are made with natural, plant-based ingredients and are free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors. 

Hop Wtr wants you to be able to say “cheers” without having to choose between having fun or missing out.

What to Know Before You Drink Adaptogen Beverages

While adaptogen drinks can be super fun and are generally considered safe, make sure to check if they have the potential to interact with a medication you may be taking. Depending on the adaptogen, some can either decrease or increase a medication’s effectiveness.

For example, ashwagandha and ginseng can interact with medications used to treat diabetes, leading to a decrease in blood sugar levels. Similarly, adaptogens like St. John’s Wort can interact with antidepressants, leading to an increase in serotonin levels, potentially causing serotonin syndrome, a serious drug reaction where there is an exceedingly high level of serotonin in the body.

Also, if you are pregnant or nursing, it might be best to avoid adaptogen drinks.

The moral of the story: If you are on any medications, pregnant, or unsure about them, speak with your healthcare provider before consuming non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks. They can help determine if there are any potential interactions and advise on the appropriate dosage and timing of consumption. 

What is the Future of Non-Alcoholic Adaptogen Drinks?

As our culture becomes increasingly conscious of mental health, adaptogens have become more attractive due to their calming and balancing properties.

The global adaptogens market size was $10.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $20.3 billion by 2031. (Source)

As this interest shows no signs of slowing down, we’ll see even more non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks come onto the scene with multiple iterations and innovative formulas over time.

Here are just some things we can watch out for in the world of adaptogen drinks:

• Adaptogens combined with nootropics – To enhance their products, many beverage companies like Kin Euphorics are already exploring the use of nootropics, compounds that can enhance cognitive function and improve mood.

• An emphasis on Zinc – This essential mineral is important for immune function and overall health, yet it can be difficult to get enough of, especially if you’re vegan. Incorporating it into adaptogen drinks could help us meet our daily zinc needs.

• Nightcap adaptogen drinks – These drinks would contain ingredients that promote relaxation and restful sleep, making them a great alternative to traditional alcoholic nightcaps.

• Cannabinoids and terpenes in non-alcoholic adaptogen drinks – Brands like Little Saints already embrace this combination. These compounds are found in the cannabis plant and are known for their therapeutic properties. While there are still some legal and regulatory hurdles to overcome, it’s possible that we’ll see more adaptogen drinks that contain cannabinoids and terpenes in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we’ve explored some of the top adaptogen drinks, I hope you’ve found at least one that you’re eager to try. Adaptogen drinks allow you to socialize with a “fun little bevy” in hand while putting your physical and mental health first.

The ones I recommend the most—as of today—are De Soi, Heywell, Kin Euphorics, and Juni.

What is your favorite one? Send @alcoholfreebevys a DM on Instagram or leave a comment below.