Alcohol Alternatives: 14 Drinks That Are Replacing Alcohol

Non-alcoholic drinks are no longer an afterthought on a menu; they’re having a moment of their own. What used to look like a choice between soda and water has expanded into a vibrant category of beverages designed to satisfy taste, ritual, and experience without the alcohol. From alcohol-free spirits and mocktails to inventive botanical blends, alcohol alternatives today are crafted with intention, flavor, and social life in mind.

The idea of alcohol alternatives used to mean opting out. Now, it means opting in and choosing drinks that are just as expressive, interesting, and enjoyable as their alcoholic counterparts. Increasingly, people are exploring these options not because they feel like they’re missing out, but because they genuinely enjoy what’s being offered. 

Whether it’s for taste, wellness, or experimentation, alcohol-free alternatives are reshaping what it means to raise a glass. In this guide, we’ve rounded up 14 drinks that are replacing alcohol, from non-alcoholic classics to modern functional alternatives you might not have tried yet. 

14 Best Alcohol Alternatives For You

Non-Alcoholic Beer

Non-alcoholic beer is made using the same grains, hops, yeast, and brewing process as regular beer. The difference is that the alcohol is removed or kept extremely low after fermentation. This allows the drink to retain the bitterness, maltiness, and carbonation people expect. That familiarity is why it remains one of the most common alcohol alternatives.

Non-Alcoholic Wine & Sparkling Wine

These drinks start as traditional wine made from fermented grapes, then go through a process to remove the alcohol. The goal is to keep the aroma, acidity, and mouthfeel intact. Modern alcohol-free alternatives focus heavily on balance rather than sweetness. They’re often chosen when wine feels like part of the occasion.

Alcohol-Free Spirits (Zero-Proof Spirits)

Alcohol-free spirits are distilled botanical blends made with ingredients like herbs, roots, spices, and citrus peels. Instead of alcohol, they rely on water-based extraction to build flavor. They’re designed to be mixed into cocktails rather than consumed straight. This makes them some of the best alcohol alternatives for cocktail-style drinks.

Ready-to-Drink Mocktails

Ready-to-drink mocktails are pre-mixed alcohol-free cocktails made with fruit juices, botanical extracts, spices, and carbonation. They’re formulated to taste balanced straight from the bottle or can. These alcohol alternatives remove the need for mixing or measuring. They work well when convenience matters as much as flavor.

Functional Botanical Drinks

Functional botanical drinks are made with plant-based ingredients such as herbs, roots, and natural extracts. These drinks often include bitter or earthy elements that give them depth. Functional drinks often come up in discussions around modern alternatives to alcohol because they offer more than just sweetness. The experience is subtle and intentional.

Adaptogen-Infused Beverages

Adaptogen-infused beverages contain ingredients traditionally used in wellness formulations, such as mushrooms or herbal extracts. They’re blended with juices, teas, or sparkling water to create a drinkable format. Many people explore them as alternatives to alcohol for a buzz-adjacent experience. They feel different from standard soft drinks.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea made using black or green tea, sugar, and a culture of bacteria and yeast. The fermentation process creates natural carbonation and a tangy flavor. This complexity makes kombucha a long-standing alternative to alcohol. It’s often chosen when soda feels too simple.

THC-Infused Drinks

THC-infused drinks are beverages containing measured amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, usually blended into sparkling water, juice, or tea. They’re alcohol-free and only available where legal. These drinks are commonly mentioned when people ask what can give you a buzz like alcohol. However, the laws and availability vary by location.

CBD-Infused Beverages

CBD-infused beverages contain cannabidiol derived from hemp, combined with water, tea, or juice bases. They often appear in alcohol-free alternatives conversations focused on calm and relaxation. These drinks are chosen for their gentle, non-alcoholic nature.

Alcohol-Free Aperitifs

Alcohol-free aperitifs are bitter, herb-forward drinks made with botanicals, roots, and citrus extracts. They’re inspired by traditional aperitif recipes but contain no alcohol. The flavor profile is dry and complex rather than sweet. These alcohol alternatives are designed for slow sipping before meals.

Sparkling Botanical Waters

Sparkling botanical waters combine carbonated water with natural fruit, herb, or floral extracts. They’re lighter than mocktails but more interesting than plain sparkling water. Many people turn to them as simple alcohol-free alternatives during social occasions. The appeal lies in subtle flavor and freshness.

Adult Craft Sodas

Adult craft sodas are made with natural flavorings, spices, citrus, and sometimes botanicals. They’re less sweet than traditional sodas and focus more on layered taste. These drinks work well as alternatives to alcohol when flavor matters more than buzz. They feel subtle without trying to imitate alcohol.

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Herbal Chill Drinks & Tea Blends

These drinks are brewed from herbs traditionally used in tea blends, such as calming or aromatic plants. They’re often served cold and lightly sweetened, if at all. People include them among alcohol alternatives for evenings or quiet moments. The emphasis is on slowing down, not stimulation.

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Kava & Kanna Drinks

Kava Seltzers and Kanna drinks are made using extracts from plants with a history of traditional use. They’re blended into teas, tonics, or ready-to-drink beverages. These drinks are often discussed when people explore what alcohol-free alternatives exist beyond common options. They appeal to those open to less conventional alcohol alternatives.

How Do These Alcohol-Free Drinks Compare?

This comparison highlights how different alcohol alternatives fit different moods, settings, and preferences, making it easier to choose what works best for the moment.

Why Are Alcohol Alternatives Replacing Traditional Drinking?

• Drinking habits are becoming more flexible: Recent consumer surveys and market reports consistently show that more people are reducing how often they drink, not necessarily quitting altogether. Alcohol alternatives fit this shift perfectly by offering a middle ground instead of an all-or-nothing choice.

• The market for alcohol-free drinks is booming: The global non-alcoholic drinks market was valued at around $1.46 trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach $2.18 trillion by 2030, showing steady growth as consumer preferences shift.

• People still value the ritual of drinking: For many, enjoying a drink isn’t just about the effect—it’s about holding a glass, sharing a toast, and being part of a moment. Alcohol alternatives let people keep that experience without alcohol.

• Social spaces are evolving with demand: Bars and restaurants are expanding their alcohol-free offerings, making alternatives to alcohol feel just as “normal” as their alcoholic counterparts. This makes choosing alcohol-free alternatives easier and more socially inclusive.

• Curiosity and moderation drive exploration: Searches for terms like what are alcohol-free alternatives and best alcohol alternatives have increased as people experiment with different drinks and lifestyles without feeling like they’re giving up something they enjoy.

So, What Drinks Are Actually Replacing Alcohol?

Alcohol isn’t being replaced by one single drink, it’s being replaced by alcohol alternatives that give people more choices than ever. From non-alcoholic beer and sparkling wine that keep the familiar ritual, to ready-to-drink mocktails, botanical blends, and kava or kanna drinks that offer a different kind of experience, these options are stepping into moments where alcohol used to be the default. 

What’s really changing is flexibility: picking a drink that fits the setting, the mood, or the kind of night it is, without forcing alcohol into every plan. With more alcohol-free alternatives showing up on menus and store shelves, it’s clear the shift isn’t temporary; these drinks are becoming a normal part of how people drink now. At Mitra9, we track emerging drink categories closely to understand how alcohol alternatives are reshaping modern drinking habits. What are yoy trying these days? Let us know!

FAQs

What can give you a buzz like alcohol?

Some alcohol alternatives are designed to create a buzz-adjacent experience without alcohol. These include THC-infused drinks (where legal), kava-based beverages, and certain functional botanical or adaptogen drinks. While the sensation isn’t identical to alcohol, these options are often chosen by people looking for alternatives to alcohol for a buzz without traditional drinking.

What else relaxes you like alcohol?

Alcohol-free alternatives that people commonly associate with relaxation include CBD-infused beverages, herbal chill drinks, kava drinks, and botanical blends. These drinks focus more on calming or unwinding rather than stimulation. For many, the relaxed feeling comes as much from the ritual of drinking as from the ingredients themselves.

What are the drops that give you a buzz without alcohol?

Drops that claim to give a buzz without alcohol are typically alcohol-free drink concentrates or botanical drops. They’re added to water or other beverages and may contain herbal extracts, adaptogens, or plant-based ingredients. These products are often discussed within alcohol alternatives conversations, especially by people who want customizable alcohol-free alternatives.

What does GenZ drink instead of alcohol?

GenZ drink coffee, functional and adaptogen drinks, flavorsome mocktails and non-alcoholic seltzers. 

About The Author

Alex Eagleton is a passionate Senior Research Editor at Mitra9 with over a decade of expertise in direct-to-consumer brands and digital media! An avid mocktail enthusiast, Alex loves to dive into the world of unique ingredients and flavors that elevate the non-alcoholic drinking experience. He’s dedicated to empowering readers to make informed, confident choices in this exciting and ever-evolving category.