I made myself a science experiment for “mood-altering” NA beverages

Stacy London on QVC? + Last chance to get an early bird ticket to F#ck Middle Age!

Aug 20, 2024

6 non-boozy beverages that could put you in a good mood

There are countless good reasons to nix alcohol from your diet. It’s addictive, disrupts sleep, causes hangovers, taxes your liver, and causes inflammation (which is why we wrote a guide to our favorite mocktails!).

As the health and wellness industry has grown over the past decade, a next-level type of herbal/botanical beverage has emerged. These “functional beverages” — which are not only alcohol-free but actually contain health-boosting ingredients like ashwagandha, ginseng, and reishi — have been gaining serious ground.

In a December 2023 Food & Beverage Insider trend piece, Philip Caputo, the marketing manager at beverage company Virginia Dare, noted that delicious, functional drinks, “fit the bill for women looking to support mental health, the gut microbiome, aging, or skincare.”

As a dabbler in herbal medicine and self-diagnosed “Beverage Goblin” who’s often sipping three libations at a time, I wanted to find the best mood-altering, yet nonalcoholic (NA) beverages to help me either energize or chill, depending on the time of day. (There’s just something about drinkable remedies, right? They feel more holistic than popping a pill.) For a full week, I made my body a science experiment for different beverages that promised to alter my mood in various ways.

Here are the drinks I tried and their effects on my mood:

Three Spirits Livener Non-Alcoholic Elixir

This “energizing elixir” was created by Three Spirits; the company’s NA spirits are designed by plant scientists and bartenders to “enhance moods throughout day and into the night.” Ingredients include guayusa, guava leaf, Schisandra, and big flavors from vibrant berries, bright aromatics, and heat.

Taste: The herbaceous, peppery notes are strong and distinctive, and the ginger, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar flavors are extremely forward. This isn’t something you sip in the background — its flavors command your attention. I’m guessing that smokers or spicy food lovers would be extra drawn to this taste. Ever smelled actual smelling salts? This is kind of like the drinkable version.

Mood-altering capability: I poured one out (over ice) when my 2 p.m. slump rolled around and hoped for a green-tealike effect. I didn’t get that long-lasting caffeinated experience, but the elixir was so boldly spicy that it definitely jolted my senses from their sleepiness, even if only temporarily.

How to get it: Enjoy at stores and restaurants near you or on the Three Spirits site.

Cann Lemon Lavender Social Tonic

Cann Social Tonics are canned beverages that contain a microdose of THC and CBD. (Meaning, they’re nonalcoholic, but not 100% sober-friendly). Cann, like other THC beverage companies, uses hemp (not “weed” as we know it), which typically contains less than 0.3% of THC, the ingredient that makes you feel high. Ever tried a CBD oil tincture or a low-dose gummy? That’s kind of very gentle “mood-altering” you’ll get from this THC beverage.

Taste: Flavors available are: Grapefruit Rosemary, Blood Orange Cardamom, Lemon Lavender, and Ginger Lemongrass. I chose the Lemon Lavender (2mg THC/4mg CBD) and drank two cans while friends drank beer. The taste was very pleasant, akin to a lemon La Croix, and it didn’t taste like weed, but did have the faintest, earthiest whiff of it.

Mood-altering capability: Apart from my shoulders dropping a bit, I didn’t experience much of an effect until the second can, when I felt ever-so-slightly more relaxed. No loss of inhibition, however, and like the company boasts, “no hangover.”

How to get it: Find it at supermarkets and dispensaries in your area or the Cann’s website. (Since I live in Chicago where cannabis is legal, I was able to snag it at my neighborhood Binny’s Beverage Depot.)

Final countdown!

Hey GALs,

Tuesday, August 20, is the last day to score an early bird ticket to F#ck Middle Age: A Day in The Midst in Chicago! I realize the event is two months away, but you know what they say: the early bird gets the hook-up.

The five-hour event features delicious food and drinks from The Robey during the panels and the happy hour. And wait til you see the tote bags loaded with cool stuff.

I hope to meet you in person!

xo,

Amy Cuevas Schroeder

Founder of The Midst

We’ve added new speakers!

Lele Mason is a seriously funny lady with a unique perspective. Her high energy and thought-provoking approach to comedy keep audiences engaged and immersed in laughter. Lele has been trained in organizational development since 2005, having begun her journey with The Second City as a student over a decade ago. An NBC Bob Curry fellow, teacher, coach, designer, and facilitator are some of the many Second City hats she’s worn. Read more about Lele Mason.

Ashlee Piper is a sustainability expert, TV personality, author, and globally recognized speaker whose work has been featured on 310+ television segments, including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly & Mark, and CNN, and in VOGUE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Marie Claire, The Atlantic, and Newsweek. Piper‘s 2018 book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (Running Press) has been hailed as a “sustainability Bible” by celebrities and reviewers. Read more about Ashlee Piper.