5 Buzzy Alcohol Alternatives Worth the Switch

Between boozy brunches, post-work happy hours, pub trivia nights, birthday parties, and weddings, giving up alcohol might feel like giving up your social life. This story is part of a Sober October series that explores what sober curiosity means and how you can practice mindful drinking in your personal life. “Kombucha is always a nice sub for a beer or other boozy drink,” she says. “You get that zingy taste, bubbles, and a bonus boost of live bacteria to help keep your gut healthy.” “Found Bubbly is a natural bubbly water with natural minerals,” says Manaker.

• Between boozy brunches, post-work happy hours, pub trivia nights, birthday parties, and weddings, giving up alcohol might feel like giving up your social life.
• It contains quinine, but not enough to make it overwhelmingly bitter.
• CBD oil can be taken by applying it to your skin, taking as a tincture , or taking in capsule form.
• While great on its own, Mingle suggests pairing it with rum, vodka, or gin if you want to spike it yourself.
• Many people turn to alcohol to cope with stress, but research has shown that stress-related drinking can lead to long-term problems with alcohol.

Kava has none of the drawbacks that come with drinking beer, wine, or cocktails. Like the craft cocktails and spirits they’re based on, these beverages are made carefully using high-quality ingredients, and that level of craftsmanship is reflected in their price. If you’re willing to shell out for them, however, some of them do taste truly incredible. We tried a lot of them and ranked them so you know which ones are worth seeking out. Three Spirit is an award-winning brand that perfectly replaces the alcohol in your life. These Three Spirit drinks have adaptogens and herbs specially designed to enhance mood while still helping you sleep and rest better.

Create a non-alcoholic buzz

This is the world’s most unique guide to alcohol-free drinks and features nearly 100 delicious, flavorful recipes. Each recipe comes with images of what the drink should look like along with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to make the drink. Its beautiful illustrations enhance the overall reading experience and the book is incredibly engaging.

But if you’ve noticed that the main or only way you’re doing so is by reaching for a beer, glass of wine, or cocktail, we have some alternatives you can try. While alcohol can mimic feelings of relaxation, it’s a temporary solution.

Reasons to Choose Kava as an Alcohol Alternative

This drink is intended to mimic the classic original daiquiri, a simple blend of rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Of all the Ish drinks, this one was the closest to its inspiration, and also our favorite. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if that’s what you’re looking for, you might be disappointed.

“Homemade flavored simple syrup is a great way to dress up sparkling water to make a mocktail,” says Kaleigh McMordie, RD, representative for All-Purpose In The Raw. “Don’t forget a pretty garnish to make it feel special, like a lemon twist or sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme.” Even for those who simply want to cut back, having tasty alcohol alternatives on hand can be a great way to keep party drinking under control. Non-alcoholic beers are getting better and better with each passing year, with many microbreweries stepping in to create tasty alternatives to the better known brand names. Be aware, however, that non-alcoholic beers can still have up to 0.5 percent alcohol content. If you’re really looking for zero, be sure to check the label to see if it’s alcohol free.

Alternatives To Drinking Alcohol

As its name suggests, the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni is supposed to replicate the classic mix of gin, Campari, and vermouth without alternatives to alcohol alcohol. Unlike many of the manufacturers of alcohol alternatives, St. Agrestis primarily sells alcoholic beverages.

L-theanine, and it’s cousin suntheanine, elevate levels of GABA and dopamine, both neurotransmitters that help us feel good. A study found that suntheanine mixed with water reduced levels of anxiety while performing a stressful task. L-theanine has few side effects, but like any herbal supplement, it is best to talk with a doctor before starting a heavy regime. From Lagunitas, a longtime king of craft brewing, Hoppy Refresher is actually sparkling water with a light hop flavor, bridging refreshment with the fun of beer. These drinks make interesting conversation pieces, and some swear by them. The link between stress, anxiety, and drinking is well-known. In the short-term, small doses of alcohol are an anxiolytic, meaning they reduce feelings of anxiety.

What to Drink Instead of Alcohol

Mocktails are a popular way of enjoying a nice drink without having to consume any alcohol. “No hangovers, less anxiety, better sleep, properly dealing with my emotions and feelings, being more present in my life, less regrets and feeling more in control of my life,” she added. Different drinks have different effects at Curious Elixirs and vary from stress relief, increased serotonin and dopamine, better circulation, and immunity boosters. First, let’s address the dangerousside effectsof alcohol.Some short term and long term effectsof alcohol are alcohol poisoning, injuries, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, anxiety, and strokes. CBD (or “cannabidiol”, a non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant) helps balance the mind-body axis and has anti-anxiety, anti-pain, and anti-depressant properties. Joy Organics offers premium CBD oil tinctures that are made entirely of USDA Certified Organic ingredients. With fun Gen-Z branding and an aesthetic Instagram presence, Kin has been everywhere lately.

Use up your homemade elderflower cordial in a simple blend with apple juice, fresh mint and a little soda water to make this apple, elderflower & mint sparkle. Use a different cordial if you like, and if you can’t get hold of mint, swap it for fresh rosemary. Put tinned fruit to good use in this sparkling quencher with kiwi, strawberries and pineapple. Find yourself a good tropical fruit juice as a base – or if you have a juicer to hand, you could try making your own with anything from mango and lychees to fresh passion fruit. Equally delicious as a drink or incorporated into bakes, our non-alcoholic Irish cream liqueur recreates the luxuriously creamy consistency of the classic cocktail along with espresso and festive spices.

This New York sour mocktail replicates the sweet, sharp flavours of the classic cocktail, but without the booze. A base of malty assam tea, sharp lemon and sweet maple syrup gives way to tangy pomegranate juice and a fluffy egg white surface. To brew the most fabulous herbal tea, begin by cleaning approximately ten lemon balm leaves and placing them in a teapot filled with boiling water.

• But if you don’t like it, flavoured sparkling water is another good choice.
• Put two ounces of watermelon juice, 3/4 ounce of bread-and-butter pickle brine, and half an ounce of lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
• Chronic use of alcohol is also linked to an increased risk of developing numerous disorders and diseases.
• Stock your booze-free bar cart with premium mixers, shrubs, and other high-quality ingredients.
• Rhodiola Rosea – Rhodiola rosea is growing in popularity; as seen above, it is a key ingredient in Kin Euphorics.