Pick by the moment
The best alcohol alternative depends on what you're replacing. The after-work beer, the glass of wine with dinner, and the cocktail at a party are three different jobs. So instead of one universal winner, here's the best drink for each.
Kava Orange Dream
If you want something that replaces the ritual of the after-work drink, not just the liquid, start with kava. It's a root from the South Pacific that's been the end-of-day drink there for centuries, and it's the closest thing to a drink-in-hand moment we've found. Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream is the easiest way in: sparkling orange, 50 calories, zero alcohol.
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Kanna Pomegranate Fusion
Kanna is a South African succulent with a reputation for being lighter and more social than kava. That makes it our pick for the nights with other people around. Pomegranate Fusion is sparkling pomegranate and raspberry, and it looks like an occasion on the table.
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Red Elixir Blueberry Lemonade
Botanical Brewing's elixirs are made with kratom leaf and sorted by color. Red is their evening can: sweet blueberry and tart lemon, sparkling. If you've tried kava and want to explore, this is the next stop. For adults 21+, and not sold in every state.
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Hiyo calls its drinks "social tonics." Each can has 1.7 grams of adaptogens, nootropics and botanicals, including ashwagandha, lion's mane, L-theanine, lemon balm and passion flower, with 30 calories and no caffeine. Fruit-forward flavors like blackberry lemon and peach mango. A good everyday option if you want something lighter than kava.
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Kin Euphorics Lightwave is built for winding down: lavender-vanilla, smoked sea salt and passionflower, with reishi and L-theanine, no caffeine, in an 8 oz can. It's more complex and bitter than most canned drinks, which is exactly why people like it.
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Recess Mood is a sparkling water with magnesium L-threonate (sold as Magtein) and adaptogens, in light flavors like blood orange. It's the easiest swap if you already drink a lot of seltzer and want something with a little more to it.
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Aplós Arise is a zero-proof spirit with agave flower, Black Sarawak pepper and lemon verbena. Mix it with lime and soda for a margarita-adjacent drink.
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Seedlip Spice 94 is the zero-proof spirit that started the category: allspice, cardamom and citrus peel, with a long bitter finish. Pour it with tonic and an orange twist. It doesn't do anything functional; it just makes a very good drink.
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Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc is a New Zealand sauvignon blanc with the alcohol removed (no more than 0.5% ABV). It keeps the bright, grassy citrus you'd expect. Our pick when the dinner menu calls for white wine.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link: we may earn a commission.What "actually works" means
A good alcohol alternative does three things: it tastes like something you'd choose on purpose, it fits the moment you used to reach for a drink, and it doesn't leave you feeling like you're missing out. Plain soda water fails all three. The drinks above don't.
Where to start
If you're not sure, start with kava. It's the alternative we see people stick with longest, because it replaces the ritual and not just the taste.
Questions people ask
What is the best alternative to alcohol?
For the end of the workday, kava. It's a traditional South Pacific drink made for winding down, and Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream makes it easy to drink. For dinner parties, try kanna; for cocktails, a zero-proof spirit.
What can I drink instead of alcohol at a party?
Kanna drinks like Pomegranate Fusion, social tonics like Hiyo, or a zero-proof spirit with tonic all feel like a real drink in your hand.
What drink replaces wine with dinner?
A dealcoholized wine like Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc, or a sparkling kanna drink if you want something different.
Are these drinks alcohol-free?
The cans and spirits on this list are zero alcohol. Dealcoholized wine can contain up to 0.5% ABV.
