We test the latest functional booze-free drinks on the market to find the best and worst for taste and mood-boosting effect.
I quit alcohol in July 2023 because it just wasn’t serving me anymore. The relaxation after a couple of glasses of Sav Blanc, or the euphoric uplift of a vodka martini, had been outweighed by anxiety, dehydrated skin and a weary acceptance that I was still not very good at moderating.
Giving up the booze was far easier than I thought. I’d had a long and (mainly) happy 40-year drinking career but I’d naturally come to the end of the road. I feel much better physically and mentally.
However, as many sobernauts will tell you, there’s still that itch for a drink-shaped treat, especially in the evenings. Whether it’s a summer sundowner in the garden, or a fireside winter tipple, a glass of something is a powerful accompaniment to the “shoes off, feet up’ end of the day.
Alcohol-free beers are generally excellent. I love an ice-cold zero Corona in warm weather, a Guinness 0% in colder months and a Peroni 0% seems to hit the spot in a restaurant.
Zero gins are good, especially Tanqueray, but the best spirit “dupe” for me is Captain Morgan’s Spiced Gold 0% rum which makes an amazing “Nojito”. I’m yet to find a good booze-free grape so I don’t bother with zero wines.
Throughout the day I drink my “wellness water” – a smug term I use to annoy my husband – which is a refrigerated jug of water with citrus fruits, ginger, mint and cinnamon sticks thrown in. I like diet fizzy drinks such as Coke Zero or 7 Up Free as I have a sweet tooth, but I’m aware they are full of nasties so try to limit them.
Then there’s the love of my life – coffee. My 7am oat flat white kickstarts my day with a bang. However, any more than one and I’m jittery and I don’t consume caffeine in the evening for obvious reasons.
So, when I was asked to test some mood-boosting “functional” drinks, I was excited. Until recently the alcohol-free industry has focussed on duplicating the taste of alcohol, rather than its sensory experience. But that’s all changing. Now drinks companies are mixing natural ingredients in an attempt to create positive mood changes.
Nutritional therapist Evie Whitehead said, “I see these new 0% drinks with mood-boosting ingredients like CBD, magnesium, and natural botanicals as a positive development for non-drinkers and those seeking healthier social alternatives.
“Many are designed to promote relaxation, sociability, and stress relief without the adverse effects of alcohol, and often include ingredients such as L-theanine, adaptogens, and nootropics that may support mood and mental clarity.”
Whitehead notes that some studies have found lower cortisol in those who have consumed drinks containing L-theanine (commonly found in green tea) and some of the substances in these drinks were found to have a beneficial effect on mood, with subjects having reduced anxiety and reduced cortisol levels up to three hours after drinking.
The Nutritionist Resource member adds, “However, it’s important to be mindful of potential downsides. Some drinks may contain high levels of added sugars or artificial additives, which can undermine health goals if consumed excessively.
“With CBD-infused options, consumers should be aware of possible side effects like drowsiness or drug interactions and legal considerations. If in doubt consult a healthcare professional, especially if you are on medication. As with any functional beverage, moderation and ingredient awareness are key to enjoying these drinks and their benefits.”
A few disclaimers: I sampled all products in mid-afternoon but there were variables, including food consumed and general mood.
None of the drinks replicated the unmistakable effects of alcohol – many are 0.5% so if you’re super strict about no alcohol, be sure to read the labels.
We bought from The Alcohol Free Co for £3.15 per 440ml can, plus shipping. For bundles and offers go to Impossible Brew.
Lager and Pale Ale. Contains 0.5% alcohol.
These “enhanced” beers will help you to “unwind”. The “Social Blend” formula “enhances your natural alpha brain waves, promoting relaxation without disruption”.
Includes L-theanine, ashwagandha, plant extract and vitamin B1.
Didn’t pick up the “tropical fruity notes of peach, pineapple and mango” but did get the “lasting citrus finish”.
Both the ale and lager are tasty, refreshing and very drinkable.
Experienced a physical “on-the-skin” buzz. Then felt sleepy. Then was left with a noticeable calm feeling for quite a while.
Impressive mood-enhancing effect, really tasty beer. Not keen on the can design, “functional” in the other sense of the word!
Amazon £32 for 50cl bottle. For bundles and offers go to Sentia Spirits.
GABA gold, GABA red, GABA black. Contains 0% alcohol.
“Designed by neuroscientists,” the drinks “offer better ways to relax, unwind and socialise”. They “enhance the brain’s naturally occurring” neurotransmitter GABA, the main function of which is “emotional balance, relaxation and sleep regulation”.
Botanicals including ashwagandha, magnolia bark, liquorice root, angelica root, ginseng root, lemon balm.
GABA red (Relax) has an impactful, bitter-floral flavour and left a tingling on the tongue.
Great if you like full-flavoured sour cocktails with spirits such as Campari, just mix with fruit juice or sparkling drinks. GABA black (Focus) is deeper and darker in flavour, GABA gold (Uplift) peppier and zippier.
Sleepy, calm, and very satisfied after GABA Red – the added placebo effect of a tasty, grown-up drink was a plus for me.
I liked the ritual of opening an attractive bottle, making a mocktail and sipping on a flavourful drink and felt content afterwards.
We bought from Wisebartender, £3.79 per 330ml can, plus shipping. For bundles and offers go to Nuwave.
Lager and Hazy Pale Ale. Contains 0.5% alcohol.
“Meticulously crafted with the highest quality brewing ingredients, botanicals and biotics”, it aims to provide “a sociable buzz”.
And “in a world-first, NuWave combines biotics to support your metabolism and gut health”.
Adaptogenic botanicals including ashwagandha root, maca root and lion’s mane. Guarana seed is added for “energy benefits”.
Hoppy, full bodied, very decent tasting – a good beer. Slightly eggy smell.
Mild buzzy feeling. After about 10 mins felt a little looser in body and mind then quite sleepy.
Would buy again, pleasant reaction. Not a fan of the neon emoji-style packaging.
Ocado £26 per 50cl, various small retailers. For bundles and offers go to Three Spirits Drinks.
This “functional spirit alternative” comes in Social (the “mood maker”) described as bittersweet, rich and complex, Nightcap (the “dream maker”) said to be woody, spicy and mellow, and the one we sampled, Livener (the “pick me up”), described as big flavours from vibrant berries, bright aromatics and heat.
Contains “less than 0.5% alcohol”.
“Botanical elixirs & blurred vines designed by plant scientists and bartenders to enhance your mood, rhythm and mind throughout the day and into the night.
Livener is an “invigorating elixir”, “the perfect party pick-me-up” that provides “euphoric feels”.
The Livener “has high levels of natural caffeine from guayusa and green tea” and is “fired up from the palate-stimulating schisandra berries, ginseng and apple cider vinegar”.
Really packs a punch. Sweet and sour, noticeable peppery fire in the back of your throat.
If you like a jolty, short drink, try it on its own over ice, but also went nicely with a ginger beer.
Felt more alert afterwards, more in body than mind. Then felt sleepy about 20 minutes later.
Had another and kept the enlivened feeling for longer.
Satisfying drink, would buy again.
We bought from Nought Drinks for £2.65 per 330ml can, plus shipping. For bundles and offers go to Drink Collider.
“Our Unwind Blend utilises the power of functional mushrooms and active botanicals, compounds derived from natural substances, which are well proven to elicit relaxation and promote calm.”
A combination of L-theanine, ashwagandha root and lion’s mane.
Lager and Session IPA. Contains 0.5% alcohol.
A little watery and lacking in body. I’m sure I imagined this, but I picked up a mushroomy after taste.
Felt immediate stillness and focus.
Although I wasn’t wildly impressed with the flavour, the sensory results did surprise me. I’d look for the ingredients in other products.
Available in all supermarkets, 250ml can approximately £2. For bundles and offers go to Trip.
Blood orange rosemary, wild strawberry, raspberry orange blossom, peach ginger, elderflower mint, lemon basic, cucumber mint. Contain 0% alcohol.
“Adaptogens are natural botanicals that can help the body to unwind so you can reset, rebalance and recalibrate.”
Trip’s CBD-infused drinks promise to help you, “unwind naturally, reduce anxiety” and their magnesium drinks are “crafted for calm’”
Magnesium and CBD (a cannabidiol found in the cannabis plant that doesn’t make you “high”). Plus lion’s mane (mushroom extract), L-theanine (amino acid found in tea leaves), and the herb ashwagandha.
The peach ginger (with CBD) was gently carbonated and refreshing with a subtle kick of ginger but I couldn’t taste peach. The blood orange and rosemary (with magnesium) was pleasantly orangey, no rosemary to speak of.
Felt calm directly after both drinks. Next morning had a mild headache, which of course could be completely unconnected.
Trip drinks are the most widely available and I did feel calm afterwards. I liked the trendy pastel-coloured cans but the flavours were far too elusive for me.
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