Are you looking for an alcohol alternative to help you wind down? One that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself to a special-occasion beverage that even alters your state – just a teensy bit?
Enter: De Soi. My new Friday night apéritif, thanks to co-founders, Morgan McLachlan and Katy Perry, the popstar who recently shared she wants to quit alcohol for good.
A three-pack of De Soi’s “Golden Hour” arrived on my doorstep just a couple of hours ago. I plopped one in my freezer to chill it quickly, and now, here we are. I’m writing this from my patio, the sky is ablaze with glowy colors. It is literally golden hour. Thanks to the bottle design, it feels almost like I’m drinking sparkling wine, in my favorite wine glass, no less!
So, I’m savoring this non-alcoholic drink and looking forward to hopping into the bath after I type this up! That’s the mood this drink helps you get into: Cozy, relaxed, and even a bit warm and fuzzy.
Read on for a full De Soi review.
Full disclosure – My review is 100% unbiased, but this article does contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission on a purchase of De Soi.
Contents
What is De Soi?
De Soi (pronounced de-swa) is a booze-free, adaptogen-filled, sparkling “apéritif” in a bottle or can.
What’s an apéritif? In France, an apéritif is a bittersweet and botanical alcoholic beverage served before dinner, somewhat like a liquid appetizer. Think Campari and Aperol Spritz.
Created by master distiller, Morgan McLachlan, De Soi is a non-alcoholic apéritif concocted with functional mushrooms that contain natural adaptogens like reishi mushroom and ashwagandha (no, these mushrooms are not the magic kind – don’t worry!).
These adaptogens help you calm down and de-stress by releasing GABA, which is an “inhibitory neurotransmitter” that plays a major role in controlling emotions like stress, anxiety, and fear.
What Does De Soi Mean?
So, what exactly does De Soi mean? It’s quite an apt name for a non-alcoholic beverage since it’s inspired by the French phrase, “maîtrise de soi,” which means “self-control” in English.
Fans of mindful indulgence, the makers of De Soi embrace the French ethos of pleasure and restraint without having to resort to drinking a mere seltzer water.
What Does De Soi Taste Like?
De Soi comes in four flavors, from most bitter to most sweet: Purple Lune, Champignon Dreams, Golden Hour, and Très Rosé. It’s a fantastic line of non-alcoholic drinks to amass in your collection due to the wide variety of flavors that you can enjoy neat or use as a base for mocktails.
From my taste tests (of which I’ve done nearly hundreds) De Soi is not sugary like soda or cider. It is more bitter, thanks to the botanicals, and lightly carbonated.
On your tongue, it’s heavier than sparkling water—almost like kombucha—but if it were sparkling. Across the different varieties, you might note hints of apricot, birch, blackberry, early grey, pear, and rose.
De Soi comes in four different flavors:
1. Golden Hour
My favorite by far, De Soi Golden Hour tastes like sunshine in a bottle or, according to the brand, citrus, lemongrass, and leafy herbs. Each glass contains maca and L-theanine derived from green tea, botanicals known to soothe stress and spur creativity. No wonder I decided to write this while drinking Golden Hour!
It’s perfect to drink chilled on its own or you can spruce it up with a sprig of rosemary and a lemon twist.
2. Purple Lune
If you want something with a bit more rich, Purple Lune, with its notes of blackberry nectar, vanilla oak, and rose petals is a go-to. It claims to “fight off fatigue with a mind-mellowing mix of ashwagandha and tart cherry.”
Again, you can drink it chilled on its own, but if you want to be extra with it, add a slice of apricot and blackberries to your glass.
3. Champignon Dreams
Last but not least, this tantalizing tonic is crafted from a dynamic duo of reishi mushroom and passion flower, the perfect recipe for a tranquil evening.
It’s got hints of luscious summer strawberries, tangy grapefruit, and a grounding earthiness.
Drink as is, or add a grapefruit peel and a slice of strawberry to compliment its unique flavor profile.
4. NEW – Très Rosé
For some, De Soi tastes a bit too bitter, so they came out with a new flavor, Très Rosé, which is much sweeter and a bit more approachable for the sparkling aperitif newbie!
When you taste it, you might get lively hints of tangy raspberry intertwined with the gentle, earthy essence of rooibos. This crisp concoction is carefully crafted with adaptogenic ingredients, including lion’s mane and saffron, to provide a mood-enhancing lift.
I tried it at home with my friend, and it was definitely delicious. It was so sweet, though. It tasted like candy.
The fact that it is super sweet could be a good thing or a bad thing! It just depends on what you’re looking for. That said, I think it’s a great addition to the lineup since it caters to a different palate and still serves the purpose of a better-for-you apéritif.
Getting to Know the Functional Ingredients in De Soi
Like many other NA beverage brands, De Soi comes packed with really interesting functional ingredients like adaptogens that elevate the experience and alter your state. I feel like I get a buzz when I sip Golden Hour, and it’s because of what’s in it!
Let’s look at some of the most interesting ingredients across De Soi’s lineup:
Ashwagandha
This ancient botanical is a top-notch rasayana, meaning it’s a restorative elixir that helps to both calm and sharpen the mind. For centuries, ashwagandha has been administered to those who suffer from chronic stress, to clear their minds of irritability and fatigue and help them concentrate.
You can find ashwagandha in Purple Lune.
Lemon Balm
This perennial plant is rumored to uplift your spirits, intensify your sex drive, and alleviate anxiety, which explains why its soft lemony aroma is often used in aromatherapy.
Personally, I can attest to the power of lemon balm! Not only is it in Golden Hour, but also in a tea that I like to drink called Helps Tea. When I brew up a cup of that tea, I seriously feel like I’m floating on a cloud. Warm and fuzzies pervade my body. The same thing happens when I drink De Soi.
L-theanine
L-theanine is a nifty little amino acid that comes from green tea, the second most quaffed drink in the world (after water, of course!).
This nootropic component is prized for its ability to boost brainpower, but the best part? Unlike its caffeinated cousins, L-theanine only contains a smidgen of caffeine, so it won’t leave you feeling jittery or exhausted. Instead, it helps you stay chill and collected, so you can be the most relaxed and polished version of yourself.
You can find L-theanine in every flavor of De Soi.
Maca
This superfood powerhouse is chock-full of vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals that will make you tingle with delight.
Found in the lofty Andes of Peru, where it has been cultivated and consumed for eons, maca is the secret to the locals’ enhanced sexual vigor and vitality.
Maca’s sweet and nutty flavor also adds a delicious twist to Golden Hour.
Tart Cherry
Sweet cherry’s sassy, sour sibling is a real knockout for warding off pesky colds. But even when you’re not feeling under the weather, this fruit is a true powerhouse for your body.
Did you know that tart cherry contains melatonin, the all-natural sleep aid?
You can find tart cherry in Purple Lune.
Passionflower
Turns out, the same plant that brings you those delectable fruits also produces some seriously groovy blooms. Passionflower is a natural nervine that’s prized for its calming properties, lending an herbal twist to the juice inside the bottle.
Ultimately, it helps leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Passionflower is included in Champignon Dreams.
Reishi Mushroom
Another superfood, this fungal wonder is known for its stress-reducing and brain-boosting abilities, earning it the nickname “the herb of immortality.”
Reishi also packs a powerful immune-boosting punch, thanks to its beta-glucans component.
Ancient Chinese emperors adorned their silk robes with images of Reishi mushrooms. Clearly, they knew what was up – Reishi is meant for kicking back and relaxing in style.
Reishi is included in Champignon Dreams.
Rooibos
Rooibos, also known as “red bush” or scientifically as Aspalathus linearis, is a South African herbal tea famous for its vibrant red color and mild, naturally sweet flavor. It is derived from the leaves of the rooibos plant, which is indigenous to the Cederberg region of South Africa.
It is rich in antioxidants while promoting relaxation, supporting digestion, and providing a source of various minerals and vitamins.
Rooibos is included in Très Rosé.
How Much Does It Cost?
A bottle of De Soi starts at $25, or 4 cans for $25.
Two bottles or eight cans runs for $50 and when you order three bottles or 12 cans, you see some savings at $70.
If you order a subscription, you get 15% off each order.
If you’re not sure which flavor you like, you can opt for a starter pack or variety pack.
My De Soi Review
Okay, so what do I think? I am so glad that De Soi exists! I have a recurring subscription through its website that delivers three bottles to my door once a month for $60.
While that might not be cheap, it’s pretty comparable to purchasing decent bottles of wine – but without the toxins!
Here are my pros and cons:
What I like
What I don’t like
Curious to learn more about De Soi? Check out this episode of “Meet the Makers” where they interview co-founder and master distiller, Morgan Mchlahlan:
De Soi Review – Bottom Line
De Soi may not be the bubbly for everyone. It can be quite bitter, and all of the botanicals might be a little hard on the stomach. (However, I power through anyway! 🤣)
So far, I have taken De Soi everywhere. From Dry January dinner parties, a weekend getaway to Sedona where we sipped it in while stargazing from our hot tub, my backyard…
Each bottle I order of De Soi is another vote for the sober-curious and alcohol-free movement.
I’m excited to see what happens with this alcohol-free bevy brand and I’m definitely rooting for this kickass female-owned business.
**Goes and ups her subscription from every four weeks to every week.**
Have you tried it? What’s your De Soi review? Let me know in the comments!
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