17 Non-Alcoholic Drinks That Give You A Buzz
It’s insane to see how much the sober curious movement has grown over the last five-ish years, and there are many non-alcoholic drinks that give you a buzz without the alcohol. No, you won’t be getting the drunk buzz that alcohol gives. But there are other types of ingredients on the market that give you that feeling of happiness, calm, or joy.
Below, I’ll be diving into the best non-alcoholic drinks that give you a buzz. Whether they’re functional drinks that include adaptogens or nootropics, or other picks that feature a low-dose of THC, there are an array of options to choose from if you’re trying to ditch booze or lower your alcohol consumption a bit.
17 Non-Alcoholic Drinks That Give You A Buzz
It shouldn’t be a shock to you that not all non-alcoholic drinks give you a buzz. And quite frankly, a “buzz” is kind of subjective. Because the non-alcoholic space has totally increased, there are so many different types of non alcoholic beverages to choose from.
There are an array of functional drinks that can offer a mood boost or a relaxation effect. These types of functional beverages feature ingredients like adaptogens and nootropics. There are other NA drinks that use botanical extracts or low-dose cannabinoids (depending on legality) to help you get a slight buzz.
What Does Buzz Mean When Drinking?
When most people think of a buzz, they probably think of that warm, loose, social feeling that comes after a drink or two of alcohol. But a non-alcoholic buzz is a little different.
A buzz, in the non-alcoholic sense, is really just a mild elevation in mood, a sense of relaxation, or a feeling of mental clarity. It’s not intoxication—you’re not going to feel foggy, lose your coordination, or wake up with a hangover. Instead, think of it more like a gentle shift in how you feel. You can usually expect to feel a little looser, a little calmer, and a little more present.
What makes an alcohol buzz feel different is that alcohol is a depressant that directly affects your central nervous system, lowering inhibitions and slowing brain activity. Non-alcoholic buzz drinks, on the other hand, work through ingredients that interact with your body in a much gentler way. They use adaptogens that help regulate your stress response, nootropics that support focus and mood, or cannabinoids like THC or CBD that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. The result is a buzz that feels more subtle and functional, rather than intoxicating.
Do Non-Alcoholic Drinks Give You A Buzz?
The short answer is: it depends. The experience of a buzz from a non-alcoholic drink is influenced by a lot of different factors. To be sure, there’s a big difference between a perceived buzz and a measurable effect. Some functional ingredients like adaptogens and nootropics have been studied for their effects on mood, stress, and cognition, but the results can be subtle.
A cannabinoid-infused drink with a low dose of THC may produce a more tangible effect. That said, how much you feel it still comes down to the individual. Your tolerance, body chemistry, metabolism, and even your stress levels can all affect how your body processes these ingredients.
There’s also a psychological side to consider. Expectations matter more than we’d like to admit—if you sit down with a beautifully crafted non-alcoholic cocktail in a fun social setting, you may feel more relaxed and happy simply because of the environment and the ritual of drinking, regardless of what’s actually in your glass. This is sometimes called the “placebo buzz,” and it’s a fascinating part of the sober curious experience. So yes, non-alcoholic drinks can give you a buzz, but it’s going to look and feel different for everyone. And the best approach is to experiment and pay attention to how your body responds.
What Are Non-Alcoholic Drinks That Give You A Buzz?
Now that we’ve covered what a buzz is and how it works, let’s get into the actual drinks. The non-alcoholic beverage space has exploded in recent years, and there are so many options to choose from depending on what kind of buzz you’re after. I’ve broken them down into categories to make it easier to navigate. Whether you’re looking for a sparkling adaptogenic drink, a nootropic mocktail, a botanical tonic, a CBD-infused beverage, or a functional soda, there’s something on this list for you.
Sparkling Adaptogenic Drinks
These are some of my favorite types of functional beverages because they feel the most like drinking a real cocktail. They’re bubbly, sophisticated, and formulated with adaptogens to help regulate your mood and stress response.
Kin Euphorics
Co-founded by Bella Hadid, Kin Euphorics is a pioneer in the adaptogen drink space, incorporating nootropics, adaptogens, and botanicals to provide mood-enhancing experiences. Their Lightwave product combines reishi mushroom, L-theanine, and passionflower for a calming yet social experience, while High Rhode incorporates more energizing adaptogens like rhodiola and schisandra berry. Best for people who want a sophisticated, cocktail-like experience—just know the effects can be subtle, especially your first time.
Aplos
Aplos Ease is widely available and used by a lot of bars and restaurants in their mocktail programs. It’s hemp-based and botanical, and very relaxation-forward. One reviewer noted that about ten minutes after drinking it, their shoulders felt heavy and they just wanted to chill out, which honestly sounds like a dream. It’s on the pricier side at around $48, but a little goes a long way.
Hiyo
Hiyo is a functional seltzer that aims to deliver a stress-relieving, mood-boosting effect through functional ingredients, and at around $3.50 a can, it’s one of the more affordable options in this space. It’s light, low in calories, and easy to find at grocery stores. Best for people who are new to functional beverages and want to ease in without spending a lot.
Nootropic Mocktails
Nootropic mocktails are formulated with ingredients specifically designed to support cognitive function, mood, and mental clarity. These are great if you want to feel sharper and more socially “on” rather than relaxed.
Mingle Mocktails
Mingle Mocktails is currently the number one best-selling alcohol-free ready-to-drink brand in the U.S., founded by Laura Taylor and backed by Bethenny Frankel, and they come in flavors like Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito, and Cranberry Cosmo. They’re vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and 0% alcohol, with upcoming functional flavors featuring lion’s mane, ashwagandha, and L-theanine. Best for literally everyone—sober people, pregnant people, designated drivers, or anyone who just doesn’t feel like drinking that night.
Curious Elixirs
Curious Elixirs specializes in complex botanical mocktails that incorporate adaptogens, nootropics, and traditional spirits botanicals to create familiar flavor profiles with functional benefits. Their No. 2 features a gin-inspired botanical blend, while their No. 7 offers a darker, more complex flavor profile reminiscent of aged spirits. Best for former cocktail lovers who miss the complexity and ritual of a real drink.
Kin Bloom
Kin Bloom is described as being for “heart-opening joy” and features schisandra, damiana, L-theanine, caffeine, and turmeric for a social, uplifting buzz. It’s lightly carbonated with a refreshing, lightly sweet herbal taste with a subtle white grape juice flavor. Just note that it contains caffeine, so maybe skip it if you’re sensitive or drinking it late at night.
Recess Mood
Recess has become one of the most recognizable names in the functional beverage space, and their Mood drink uses magnesium, L-theanine, and lemon balm to deliver a genuinely relaxing effect. They also have a sparkling water line infused with hemp extract and adaptogens. Best for people who struggle with anxiety or just need to decompress at the end of the day.
Botanical Tonics
Botanical tonics lean heavily on plant-based ingredients (like roots, flowers, herbs, and berries) to create a sensory experience that’s as much about flavor as it is about effect.
Seedlip
Seedlip is one of the OGs of the non-alcoholic spirits space. It’s a distilled non-alcoholic spirit made entirely from plants that comes in three blends: Spice 94, Garden 108, and Grove 42. The buzz here is more about the ritual and the complexity of flavor than a noticeable physiological effect. Best for people who miss the ritual of cocktail-making, though keep in mind it’s a mixer, not a ready-to-drink product.
Aplós Arise
Aplós Arise is their daytime blend, designed to uplift and energize using adaptogens and hemp. It’s bright, citrusy, and intended to give you a mood boost without making you feel sleepy. It’s a great counterpart to their more relaxation-forward Ease blend. Best for daytime social events, though availability may vary depending on where you live.
Parch Agave Cocktails
Parch Agave Cocktails are infused with desert botanicals and adaptogens and flavored with agave, making them very margarita-esque with a slightly sweet and salty flavor profile. The taste is genuinely impressive, though the buzz is on the subtler side. Best for margarita lovers who want something that actually tastes like the real thing.
CBD-Infused Beverages
CBD-infused drinks range from mildly relaxing to noticeably calming, depending on the dosage. Just keep in mind that CBD affects everyone differently, so your experience may vary.
Recess Blood Orange CBD Sparkling Water
Recess’s CBD line is one of the most popular in the space, and their Blood Orange flavor is a fan favorite — light, citrusy, and containing 10mg of hemp extract per can. The buzz is gentle and calming, think less mental fog and more physical ease. Best for people who deal with stress or tension and want a subtle, functional option.
BRĒZ
BRĒZ’s THC- and CBD-infused Lemon Elderflower beverage is designed for a mellow buzz in a fruity, subtle drink that won’t knock you out. It’s one of the more sophisticated options in the cannabinoid-infused space and has gotten a lot of attention for actually delivering on its promises. Best for people in states where THC beverages are legal who want something that bridges the gap between CBD and THC.
Cycling Frog
Cycling Frog offers low-dose Delta-9 hemp-infused seltzers that make you feel relaxed and social while also promoting restful sleep. They come in a variety of flavors and are beloved for actually delivering a noticeable, pleasant effect without going overboard. Best for evening use — and start with one can to gauge your tolerance if you’re new to THC beverages.
Functional Sodas
Functional sodas are the most accessible category on this list. They look and feel like a regular soda, but they’re formulated with ingredients designed to shift your mood or energy levels.
Olipop
Olipop is one of the most popular functional sodas on the market, and its prebiotic fiber blend genuinely makes you feel good — it comes in nostalgic flavors like Vintage Cola, Strawberry Vanilla, and Classic Root Beer. The functional benefit here is more gut-health focused than mood-focused, but it’s a great everyday swap for regular soda. Best for people who just want to replace their soda habit with something that’s actually good for them.
Poppi
Poppi is a prebiotic soda made with apple cider vinegar that supports gut health and digestion, and it comes in fun, colorful flavors. The buzz is subtle—more of a feel-good, energized sensation than anything dramatic. Best for sober-curious people who want something fun and fizzy, though if you’re sensitive to ACV, start with one of the fruitier flavors.
THC-Infused Drinks
THC-infused beverages are arguably delivering the most noticeable and consistent buzz of any non-alcoholic drink on this list. These drinks contain low doses of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, which is federally legal in the U.S. thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, and they’re faster-acting and more controllable than edibles. Think of them as a bubbly, functional alternative to cracking open a beer or pouring a glass of wine.
CANN Social Tonics
Each classic CANN can is microdosed with 2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD, made with all-natural ingredients, and is gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. The 1:2 THC to CBD ratio makes it incredibly approachable for newer cannabis consumers. The buzz is light, warm, and social with an onset of just 10-15 minutes, and effects that can last two-plus hours. Best for people who are sober-curious or want a low-key alternative to alcohol. And if you have a higher tolerance, they also make Hi Boys with 5mg THC.
Wynk THC Seltzers
Wynk features a balanced 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, zero calories, zero sugar, and zero alcohol, and comes in doses ranging from 2.5mg to 10mg so there’s something for every tolerance level. It kicks in within 10-15 minutes and the effects subside after about 90 minutes, making it much more controllable than an edible. Best for anyone who wants a sessionable, zero-calorie alternative to alcohol seltzers. Just start with the 2.5mg cans if you’re new to THC beverages!
Don’t know what to order when out with your friends? Check out the best non alcoholic drinks to order at a bar.
