Best Adaptogen Drinks To Replace Alcohol & Feel Better

If you’re reading this, congrats. You’re one of the few people actually making an effort to address and change a habit.

Ready to try something new? Enter adaptogenic drinks. These beverages first caught my eye due to their “special” ingredients (adaptogens) that offer a subtle buzz and a compelling alternative to alcohol.

No need to part ways with your classic ritual of cracking open a cold one—with adaptogenic drinks, you can continue to sip socially while still feeling more lifted than most typical nonalcoholic drinks could do for you.

But these adaptogen drinks offer much more than just their buzz. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, boost energy, improve your sleep, or just have a good ol’ time, here are the best adaptogenic drinks in 2025.

Adaptogens are natural, plant-based compounds that help the body adjust, adapt, and recover from various stressors. These stressors can be physical, mental, or even environmental.

How do they work? By balancing cortisol levels and promoting homeostasis which helps maintain a stable internal environment for your body. Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” spikes during stressful situations.

Think of your average day. What causes you stress?

Whether that’s work, money, or relationships, your body’s natural response is to produce cortisol. But when cortisol levels stay high for too long, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and drained. Adaptogens can help regulate your cortisol production and restore balance, so your body can respond to stress in a more manageable way.

Certain adaptogens like reishi mushrooms, ashwagandha, and ginseng are particularly praised for their ability to normalize bodily functions that get thrown off by stress, helping you feel more grounded and resilient in the process.

There’s a common misconception that adaptogens work like stimulants, but that’s simply not the case.

Stimulants act directly on your central nervous system, often providing a temporary energy boost followed by a crash. Adaptogens work differently. Rather than forcing a sudden burst of energy, adaptogens offer sustained support, promoting stress relief and naturally enhancing your energy and focus levels without a harsh comedown.

The benefits of adaptogens might feel subtle compared to stimulants, or other substances like alcohol and caffeine, but they’re far more sustainable.

By now, you know adaptogens are natural compounds that help your body manage stress and restore balance. So, what happens when you infuse these compounds into a drink? No trick answers here—you get adaptogen drinks.

Unlike alcohol, which can disrupt your system and leave you feeling worse the next day, adaptogenic drinks offer genuine, lasting benefits of adaptogens without any foggy aftermath.

You’ll often find different adaptogens, herbs, botanicals, and functional ingredients in an adaptogenic drink, some of which include extracts from mushrooms, roots, and berries with complex flavor profiles. These ingredients help mimic the social, energizing drinking experience but with subtle, sustained, and genuinely beneficial effects.

The zing of cocktails, wine, or beer? It’s not much different than what your palate gets with adaptogenic drinks.

Other reasons as to why these beverages are becoming so popular:

• Growing “sober curious” movement
• Health-conscious consumers want to avoid hangovers
• The desire for sophisticated beverages beyond sugary sodas
• The need for stress management that doesn’t sacrifice well-being
• Interest in the other benefits of functional ingredients in beverages

Many of these alcohol-free drinks are designed to be enjoyed over ice or mixed into mocktails.

Different nonalcoholic drinks will contain different ingredients. When it comes to adaptogens, here are some of the more popular options you’re likely to find in drinks:

• Reishi Mushrooms: Fungal adaptogens that support immune function, reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Reishi is pretty calming, and it’s usually in beverages designed for “chill.”
• Ashwagandha: A powerful herb that helps lower cortisol levels, boost mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep. This is another common ingredient in sleep-focused products or for deep relaxation.
• Rhodiola: If you’re looking for an energy boost or something to fight fatigue, rhodiola is a great choice. It’s known for enhancing mental performance and brightening the mood without the jitters or anxiety caused by caffeine.
• Lemon Balm: A calming and citrusy herb that helps reduce stress and anxiety while improving cognitive function. Lemon Balm’s citrus notes pair perfectly with beverages.
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom: This fungus supports brain function, mood, and cognitive health while adding umami notes to beverages.
• Ginseng: Known for boosting energy and enhancing physical stamina, ginseng adds slightly sweet, earthy notes to adaptogenic drinks.

But adaptogens aren’t the only functional ingredients showing up in these drinks. Plenty of non-adaptogenic compounds are also added to enhance relaxation, focus, and general well-being:

• GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): A neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and eases anxiety by calming the nervous system. It pairs well with adaptogens, boosting their stress-relieving effects.
• L-theanine: Known for increasing focus and mental clarity without causing jitters. It also promotes physical relaxation and stress relief.
• Magnesium: A popular mineral for natural stress relief and improved sleep quality. Its calming properties complement adaptogens perfectly, especially when it comes to promoting deep relaxation and muscle recovery.

Adaptogens are pretty safe for most people. But for those with sensitivities, here are some typical side effects from these alcohol-free beverages.

• Headaches or dizziness
• Potential interactions with medications (always ask your doctor)
• Insomnia if energizing adaptogens are consumed too close to bedtime
• Allergic reactions, especially to mushroom-based adaptogens like reishi
• Digestive issues, including stomach upset, diarrhea, or nausea (usually when first trying adaptogens)

Most adaptogen side effects are mild and temporary. It takes some time for your body to adjust. Still, it’s always worth mentioning to your doctor if you plan on taking adaptogens, especially if you are pregnant, taking medication, have an autoimmune disease, or have any other health concerns.

If you made it this far through all that info-packed goodness, kudos to you! And if you scrolled past furiously to get to the real juice (pun intended), no hard feelings. Let’s dive into the good stuff.

Here are 2025’s best adaptogen drinks, alcohol-free.

Bright, tart, and ready for a good time—Upstate Elevator’s Yuzu Lemonade Spritz (THC) contains a solid dose of 10mg Delta-9 THC per 12-ounce can, alongside highly beneficial ingredients like GABA, L-Theanine, and Magnesium to help you find the perfect balance.

Great for social outings where you still prefer to catch a buzz, this sparkling water-based drink has only 20 calories and is sweetened with organic blue agave. Made with organic ingredients and 100% preservative-free, this drink is the ultimate choice for a hangover-free high.

Prefer a more clear-headed option you can take on the daily? Try Upstate Elevator’s Yuzu Lemonade Spritz (CBD + CBG).

This calming blend also contains the benefits of Magnesium, GABA, and L-Theanine for fast-acting relief alongside a bright, tart, and all-natural Yuzu flavor. Similar to the above version with THC, this beverage is free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial colors—it’s pure vibes.

Each can contains 5mg CBD and 5mg CBD in flavored sparkling water alongside the above ingredients to help support brain health, focus, a balanced mood, and relaxation.

This delicious Yuzu flavor is also available in gummy form from Upstate Elevator. With 5mg of Delta-9 THC and 5mg CBG alongside natural ingredients, expect these Uplift THC Yuzu Gummies to take effect within 15 minutes.

While they contain slightly different ingredients than the beverages above, they’re an excellent choice for gummy lovers looking for an all-natural, fast-acting option.

For A Stronger Effect: The Yuzu Lemonade THC Spritz is a great option for harnessing the benefits of adaptogens while still catching a buzz with 10mg Delta-9 THC.

For Daily Benefits: For cumulative benefits and daily doses, we suggest the Yuzu Lemonade Spritz (CBD + CBG). This calming blend contains ingredients that can have incredible benefits when taken consistently over time, all without causing a psychoactive buzz.

Moderation is still important when it comes to adaptogen drinks, especially those that contain THC.

Health experts suggest a maximum of 1-3 adaptogenic beverages or products daily. Why? A few reasons:

1. Overconsuming concentrated botanical and fungal extracts can put stress on the body and overwhelm it, sort of the opposite of what you want to happen.
2. Many adaptogenic beverages and products contain added sugar or fruit juice. It’s best to avoid overconsuming all that sugar and excess calories.
3. Overconsuming certain adaptogens in hopes of a specific outcome might sacrifice your well-being in other areas. For example, energy-boosting adaptogenic drinks might lead to overstimulation or poor sleep.
4. Similar to weed, our bodies can develop tolerance to some adaptogens when consumed excessively. Taking breaks from specific formulas might help maintain their effectiveness over time.

It’s best to treat adaptogenic drinks as a vitamin. They’re fine to be taken daily and have cumulative benefits, but they shouldn’t be taken in excessively high doses.

You don’t need alcohol for a good time. Even if you enjoy or crave the ritual of cracking open a cold one and pouring it over a glass, you can still experience that same practice, feel the benefits, and actually have peace of mind about what you’re consuming.

Just pay attention to how your body reacts and responds to different adaptogens, as it’s not uncommon for people to have sensitivities to mushrooms or different botanicals.

With that, you should have no problem experiencing the benefits of various adaptogens in your daily life.

Whether that’s managing stress, enhancing your energy levels, improving sleep, or getting social—don’t knock these drinks ’til you try them.

Let us know what your favorite adaptogenic drinks are and which natural adaptogens are your go-to’s on social media.