Get Buzzed—Without Booze

For millennia, alcoholic drinks have been a go-to for humans whenever we’re looking to unwind or celebrate. In fact, it is thought that a genetic mutation ten million years ago enabling our ancestors to digest alcohol is responsible for our migration from tree-dwelling creatures to land-dwelling ones. That’s because the ability to eat fruit that was decomposing on the forest floor, rather than only barely-ripe on the trees, led us to head to the land. Obviously, we never looked back!

Despite our long and important relationship with alcohol, many people don’t drink it. Whether due to allergies, issues with addiction, or simply a dislike for the effects the morning after, some people eschew alcohol completely. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to relax or celebrate, though! And even those of us who do consume alcohol sometimes want an afternoon or evening feel-good drink that won’t make us feel lousy later.

Enter natural alternatives to alcoholic beverages, which have exploded in recent years. Read on to find out what ingredients can be used to get a booze-free buzz, and how to use them.

What Natural Ingredients Have Feel-Good Properties?

There are countless plants that can alter our brain chemistry, have a relaxing effect on our nervous system, and just plain make us feel chilled out and delightful.

Adaptogens And Other Herbs

Adaptogens are a group of plants and mushrooms that can help our bodies adapt to stress. In addition to this main function, many of them can provide us with feelings of joy, euphoria, enhanced focus, and/or relaxation. Some popular adaptogens you may have heard of include ashwagandha, rhodiola, turmeric, and lion’s mane mushroom. These are sold as pills, powders, and incorporated into snack foods and beverages.

In addition to the herbs that help our bodies adapt to stress, there are other herbs that offer feelings of relaxation. These include milky oats, lavender, peppermint, passionflower, and lemon balm. Calming herbs are typically sold as pills, powders, teas, or tinctures.

Minor Cannabinoids

The term «minor cannabinoids» refers to compounds in cannabis or hemp plants that are found in small concentrations. (Major cannabinoids are present in larger concentrations.) Chances are, you’re familiar with CBD, the most popular minor cannabinoid. It has become very popular in recent years for its ability to help people relax without the psychoactive effects of marijuana, and to relieve pain. It’s sold in everything from topical pain creams to tinctures to gummies.

In addition to CBD, there are other minor cannabinoids that can affect our brains and bodies without any psychoactive impact. These include CBG, which is considered euphoric and uplifting; CBC, which can reduce pain and inflammation; and THCv, which is used for focus. With CBD being by far the most widespread minor cannabinoid, CBG, CBC, and THCv are available in fewer formats, but can still be found as powders and tinctures. They are also often included in CBD products.

How To Drink Them

Now that you know there are myriad ingredients that can help you feel good without feeling bad after, you probably want to know how to get them in your body. Here are the easiest, and most social ways, to consume adaptogens, other herbs, and non-psychoactive cannabinoids.

Prepared Beverages

Nothing is easier than popping open a bottle or can! The zero-proof prepared drink market has taken off. The best thing about these drinks is that professionals have done the hard work of making unpalatable ingredients taste good. They mix the active ingredients with natural ingredients like fruit and sparkling water so that you can enjoy your beverage just like you were sipping on a cocktail. As a bonus, some of these brands use non-caloric sweeteners so you don’t ingest any extra sugar.

• Elements makes non-sparkling adaptogen drinks with purpose. For a relaxing choice, opt for their Calm drink, which is flavored with apple and vanilla, and enhanced with holy basil, lavender, and lemon balm.
• Kin is all about euphorics, and has a full line of single serving sparkling drinks to get you going or help you wind down. They use everything from adaptogens to calming herbs to caffeine to help you curate a social drinking experience.
• Free Rain has a fun line of nutrient-enhanced sparkling waters with minimal ingredients. Their calming beverage contains blackberry and passionflower for a light and refreshing drink.
• Bimble offers three flavors of CBD drinks, featuring 25 milligrams per bottle of THC-free hemp extract. All have citrus, which helps offset the hemp taste.
• Recess mixes CBD with adaptogens for a comprehensive beverage experience. They have a half dozen flavors to choose from, including blackberry chai and strawberry rose.

Mix Them Yourself

If grab and go is less your style than home mixology, the ingredients for these beverages can all be purchased so you can create flavorful drinks on your own. Build a simple zero proof cocktail with citrus and sparkling water, foam up a hot latte with your favorite type of milk, add to kombucha for a powerhouse healthful cold drink, or mix them with a small amount of fruit juice and take shots out of your favorite shot glasses.

• Vybes CBD Powder easily dissolves into hot or cold beverages, giving you a full serving of CBD with very little added taste. And because you mix the powder yourself, quantity is customizable for those who prefer less, or more.
• Kefla Organics sells CBD drink mixes in flavors like mint chocolate and golden turmeric. These are best served hot, and you can choose the concentration for yourself.
• Gaia Herbs, an industry leader in the supplement market, has branched out to drink mixes. Their Everyday Adaptogen blend contains cordyceps, rhodiola, and ashwagandha.
• Aplos is a hemp infused, alcohol-free spirit. Unlike the spirit replacers available that mimic the taste of alcohol without the effects, thanks to the 20 milligrams of hemp extract per serving it packs more of a punch. Use it in drinks as you would hard alcohol.
• Plant People uses full spectrum hemp extract, which includes CBC and CBG, in its Relief Drops. They offer relief from physical pain in addition to relaxation.

The Takeaway

Alcohol isn’t for everyone, but we all know that relaxation is. If you’re in the market for a change from an evening of cocktails, or if you don’t drink alcohol at all, there are plenty of alcohol free alternatives to put you in exactly the mood you’re looking for. Thanks to natural ingredients ranging from ashwagandha to turmeric, you can make–or pop open–an alcohol-free drink that allows you to enjoy socializing and unwinding far more than sparkling water alone ever could.