Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHomemade MocktailsPremixed AlternativesHerbal Alcohol AlternativesMaking It a Habit
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Homemade Mocktails
Premixed Alternatives
Herbal Alcohol Alternatives
Making It a Habit
No matter your reason for exploring alternatives to alcohol—whether it’s for health reasons, a desire to cut back on consumption, or simply curiosity about new experiences—there is a diverse array of options available to suit your preferences.
From non-alcoholic spirits and craft mocktails to innovative zero-proof wines and revitalizing non-alcoholic beers, the market has evolved to offer an extensive range of choices. These alternatives not only mimic the complexity and enjoyment of traditional alcoholic beverages but also cater to various tastes and lifestyles, allowing you to find something that perfectly aligns with your needs and goals.
fotostorm / Getty Images
Shirley Temple
This mocktail is a classic, and not just for kids.
To make this mocktail:
Alcohol-Free Bloody Mary
To make this savory mocktail:
Nonalcoholic Margarita
To make this tangy and sweet mocktail:
“Scene-Stealer”
To make this chilly treat:
“Seaside”
To make this fruity drink:
Simple Soda Mixes
Simple soda mixes are a mix of soda water and juice. You decide the ratio of soda to juice and which juices to use. Mixing different tastes, such as soda water, cranberry juice, and a dash of lime, can add a refreshing twist.
You can also use club soda orsparkling waterinstead of soda water.
Milkshakes
No one is going to mistake a milkshake for alcohol, but like alcohol, they are a drink typically reserved for a treat or special occasion.
Milkshakes may give you that feeling of an indulgence without the alcohol.
Smoothies
You can go for a smoothie if you want a fun drink with nutrient-rich ingredients. Add ice to make a blended, satisfying, alcohol-free drink.
Soft Drinks
In addition to being tasty, soft drinks are easy to sip on, making them a good drink for meals or in social settings where most people in the group are drinking beverages of some kind.
Water
Benefits of Alcohol Alternatives
Cutting back on or eliminatingalcohol consumptioncan have benefits such as:
Premixed Alcohol Alternatives
Nonalcoholic Versions of Alcoholic Beverages
These drinks mirror the taste, look, and experience of alcohol and often contain ingredients associated with that drink (such as juniper, which is also found in gin).
Sales of nonalcoholic beverages that mimic alcohol have been increasing 15% to 30% yearly in the United States.
Because these drinks can contain some alcohol and mimic the experience of drinking alcohol, they may not be appropriate for people with substance/alcohol use disorder.
There is also a concern about youth under the legal drinking age drinking these beverages because some research shows it can socialize them toalcohol-drinking experiences.
Kombucha
Kombuchais a fizzy, fermented tea drink that some people drink as an alternative to alcohol. It is rich in probiotics which can help foster healthy gut flora, support the immune system, and reduce inflammation.
Kombuchashould be consumed in moderation (4 ounces, one to three times a day or less). Overconsumption can cause nausea, gastrointestinal distress, headache, orketoacidosis.
Kava
Kavais made from the root or stump of thePipermethysticum(kava) shrub. It comes in several forms, including a brownish-colored drink.
Kava is a depressant drug, meaning that it slows down the messages that travel between the brain and body.
The effects of kava on an individual vary, depending on factors such as their size, general health, the amount and strength of the drug ingested, other drugs taken around the same time, and more.
Kava may cause effects such as:
Large amounts of kava may cause effects such as:
Regular use of large amounts of kava could lead to:
Kava should never be taken or consumed with alcohol, as this combination has been linked toliver damageand can make you feel more drunk. It should also not be mixed with other drugs, includingbenzodiazepines,gamma-hydroxybutyrate(GHB), andopioids. Doing so can increase sedation and lead to unpredictable, harmful effects, including slowed breathing, nausea, and passing out.
Commercially available kava may come mixed with other ingredients, such as Damiana leaf. These ingredients can have their own effects and cautions. Check with your healthcare provider about all the ingredients in the drink.
Benefits kava may have over alcohol are that it doesn’t appear tocreate a dependenceand the next-day effects are more tolerable (milder or no hangover).
Herbal Alcohol Alternatives and DrivingDo not drive if you have consumed psychoactive drinks such as kava or cannabis drinks. While they don’t containalcohol, they can still impair your ability to drive safely.
Herbal Alcohol Alternatives and Driving
Do not drive if you have consumed psychoactive drinks such as kava or cannabis drinks. While they don’t containalcohol, they can still impair your ability to drive safely.
Cannabis Drinks
Recreational cannabis use is legal in many states but not all, as well as some parts of the world. Check the laws in your area before purchasing or consuming products that contain cannabis.
The type and amount ofcannabinoidsin cannabis-based products vary. Many cannabis-infused drinks containdelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), which produces intoxication or euphoria. There is no standard dose. Some products contain lower doses of THC (two to four milligrams) in an eight-ounce container, while others can contain up to 200 milligrams.
Cannabis drinksmay also contain alcohol, caffeine, and other substances. Read the label carefully.
Thecannabinoidsin cannabis beverages dissolve in water and are more easily and rapidly absorbed into the body’s soft tissues. This means cannabis-infused drinks may produce noticeable effects sooner than cannabis edibles, such as gummies or brownies (15 to 20 minutes compared to 30 to 90 minutes).
Some people experience negative effects with even small amounts of THC, such as uneasiness or anxiousness, feeling paranoid or agitated, a rise in heart rate or blood pressure, or nausea and vomiting.
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying cannabis drinks.
Alcohol Use Disorder ResourcesSome resources for alcohol use disorder include:These include the following:Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA), which has a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week helpline you can call at 800-662-HELP (4357)National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA)National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence(NCADD)Alcoholics AnonymousAl-Anon Family Groups
Alcohol Use Disorder Resources
Some resources for alcohol use disorder include:These include the following:Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA), which has a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week helpline you can call at 800-662-HELP (4357)National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA)National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence(NCADD)Alcoholics AnonymousAl-Anon Family Groups
Some resources for alcohol use disorder include:
These include the following:
How to Make Drinking Alcohol Substitutes a Habit
Some ways to reduce your alcohol intake and/or make alcohol substitutes a habit include:
It’s important to remember that while alcohol alternatives can help avoid the negative effects of alcohol (if they replace alcohol instead of being consumed in addition to alcohol), all of the choices are not inherently healthy. For example,mocktails, soft drinks, and other options may contain a lot of sugar. Like all nutritional choices, consider all factors for your overall dietary habits.
Summary
Alcohol alternatives include drinks that can be made at home (such as mocktails and simple soda mixes), low- or no-alcohol drinks that mimic alcoholic drinks, and herbal drinks such as kava orcannabis-infused drinks.
Some alcohol alternatives can have side effects or interactions with certain conditions or medications. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying alcohol alternatives.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Liquor Control Board of Ontario.Scene stealer non-alcoholic mocktail.
Liquor Control Board of Ontario.Seaside mocktail.
Cancer Council Victoria.Tips to reduce your drinking.
The Kidney & Hypertension Center.Healthy alcohol alternatives and activities.
Stanford Medicine.For those with an alcohol problem, are non-alcoholic beverages a wise choice?
British Heart Foundation.Are non-alcoholic drinks healthy?
Bowdring MA, Prochaska JJ.The need for age restrictions on sales of nonalcoholic beverages. JAMA Pediatr. Published online July 8, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1883
Alcohol and Drug Foundation.What are zero alcohol drinks?
Colorado State University.The do’s and don’ts of kombucha.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation.Kava.
Banner Health.Kava & psychedelic beverages: are they safe?
Harvard Health.Cannabis drinks: how do they compare to alcohol?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
