Buzz without the Booze - Part 11
- Katie Nessel
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
A review of drinks that make big claims on giving you the buzz of a cocktail without any alcohol
On my journey to drinking a little less, I've been exploring the new wave of "adaptogenic" drinks that claim to give you the effects of imbibing without any of the alcohol. This new trend of euphoric and nootropic drinks sound great - but is it all just marketing fluff?
In 2022, the sales of non-alcoholic beverages increased about 30% compared to 2021, according to data provided by NielsenIQ. At the same time, there’s also been growing interest in “functional beverages,” or nonalcoholic drinks that make health claims like improving your mood, decreasing anxiety, or providing a euphoric feeling. If you're looking for a more in-depth read, check out this article by the Washington Post, it's got a lot of great information.
Below is a review of six different "mood-altering" drinks & gummies I've tried, and an honest review of how I felt after drinking each.
Aplos "Calme"
Aplos has a line of functional spirits and canned mocktails with an array of flavors and price points. While I quite like the flavor of Calme (lemon balm and herbal citrus), I never feel much from this one. It has 20mg of hemp per serving and while some studies show hemp to have a relaxing effect, it is always at a much higher dose and with very frequent (almost daily) use. At the price point of $50+ per bottle I would not buy this one again.
Kava Haven
Kava Haven is the first non-alcoholic spirit you can actually feel (watch my review video here). Made with noble kava, this drink will help you unwind and relax without any of the hangover - it's scientifically proven to work and has a reverse tolerance effect, which means the more often you drink it the stronger and faster you'll feel it. Sort of like the opposite of alcohol... but this also means you might not feel much the first time you try it. Currently I drink kava 2-3x per week and I absolutely feel it hit me stronger and faster now (in about 15 min).
It has zero added sugar and a refreshing lemon-ginger flavor that I love to drink on the rocks with a little sparkling soda. The effects are both relaxing and improve sociability, making you feel a little happy and giggly. This one is so fun to share with friends and is the only alternative I've found for people who want a little buzz without any THC or alcohol. $45 per bottle (17 servings) with code “SoberishMom15” at KavaHaven.com
oHHo Botanicals
oHHo works hand in hand with local growers, world class biochemists ad chocolatiers to deliver the most effective & tasty products. I absolutely love their "CBNight" chocolate bars with CBD & CBN that help me fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Their low-dose THC seltzers (3.5mg & 5mg) are also excellent for a buzz without the booze, and I feel them kick-in about 40-min after consuming. You can use code "Soberish" to save 15% off products here - the multi-pack of seltzers and chocolates would be a great place to start!
Recess
Recess mood drinks are sparkling water infused with magnesium and adaptogens, often featuring L-theanine and lemon balm, and are available in various flavors like raspberry lemon, strawberry rose, and black cherry. They are low-sugar (about 4g/can) which I like and I enjoy most of their flavors. In terms of effect, lower your expectations. The adaptogen doses are very low and I never feel anything after drinking these. However, I enjoy sipping on one just for the delicious flavors.
Serenity Gummies
While not a drink, these gummies help me take the edge off in the evenings and have been such an amazing alternative to the nightly glass of wine I was in the habit of drinking. They have a powerful combination of ashwagandha (helps you relax and improve sleep), CBD, l-theanine (helps reduce anxiety), reishi mushroom extract, and a microdose of THC (about 1.3mg per gummy). These won’t get you “high” unless you take more than one, but give me a pleasant, relaxing feeling in the evening. I like to bundle these with the Night Capsules for the gift of a perfect night’s sleep. Use code “Soberish” for 15% off at CuredNutrition.com
Cycling Frog Seltzers
Not all THC products are created equal, and these drinks and gummies are one of my favorite ways to unwind on the weekends with friends. The flavors are unmatched with none of the weird earthiness you may have tasted before (Wild Cherry and Black Currant are my personal favorites). Each can offers a combo of THC + CBD (doses vary) for a lovely relaxed and giggly feeling, and no hangover the next morning. Code “SoberishMom” stacks on any sales or orders for an extra 5% off at CyclingFrog.com
Conclusion
If you're looking for an actual buzz without the booze, the only two alternatives I've found to work are kava or low-dose THC. While adaptogens are great and absolutely can work as part of a long-term health supplementation, they do not work in the way they are being marketed, and most "functional" drinks are very misleading. For instance, if you consume one drink with 10mg of ashwaganda, that is not going to give you any feeling or benefit. However, if you were to take an ashwaganda capsule daily (the recommended dose is 500mg), then in 4-6 weeks you might notice improved sleep and deceased anxiety.
I hope this review has helped you today, and always feel free to contact me with questions. You can see my review of "Kin Euphorics" and several other "functional" drinks here. Happy clean drinking!