Walk into almost any social gathering, and the first thing someone will hand you is an alcoholic drink. It doesn’t matter if you’re there for a birthday, work team dinner, or just a casual Tuesday hangout — alcohol has become the default way people connect, relax, and mark time together. If you’re choosing not to drink for any reason, this default can leave you feeling left out, awkward, or stuck sipping plain water in the corner. That’s exactly why we’re breaking down 11 Alternatives for Drinking that work for every mood, group, and occasion.

You don’t need to be sober long-term, or even quit drinking entirely, to want better options. Maybe you’re driving home that night, tired of waking up with headaches, saving money, or just don’t enjoy how alcohol makes you feel. A 2023 survey from Morning Consult found that 72% of US adults regularly choose non-alcoholic options at least once per month, but most still report feeling bored with what’s available. This list isn’t just a bunch of boring soda swaps. Every option here feels intentional, fun, and something you’ll actually look forward to — no awkward explanations required.

1. Craft Sparkling Botanical Mocktails

Gone are the days when skipping alcohol meant you got stuck with a sad can of cola. Modern craft mocktails use fresh herbs, fruit, bitters, and sparkling water to create drinks with the same complexity, aroma, and satisfying fizz as cocktails. You don’t need a fancy bartender to make these, either. Most require just 3 or 4 ingredients you can pick up at any regular grocery store.

When you serve these at a gathering, most people won’t even notice there’s no alcohol. In fact, it’s common for people drinking alcohol to ask for a second round of your mocktail instead of refilling their wine. The best part? You get all the ritual of mixing, pouring, and toasting without any of the downsides. Start with these crowd favorite base combinations:

• Rosemary, grapefruit, and honey sparkling water
• Mint, cucumber, lime, and a dash of aromatic bitters
• Blackberry, sage, and ginger ale
• Orange, thyme, and vanilla bean soda

You can also set up a small self-serve station at your next get together. Lay out all the ingredients, add some nice glassware and straws, and let people build their own. This turns drinking into an activity, not just something people do on autopilot. People will linger longer, laugh more, and no one will be checking the clock waiting for the night to end.

On average, a well-made mocktail costs less than $1 per serving, compared to $7-$12 for an alcoholic cocktail at a bar. Over the course of a month, swapping just two weekend drinks can save you over $80. You’ll also wake up the next morning ready to go, instead of losing half the day recovering from even a light night of drinking.

2. Group Coffee Flight Tasting Nights

Most people only think of coffee as a morning drink, but good coffee makes an incredible evening alternative to alcohol. Coffee tasting works exactly like wine tasting: you sample small portions of different roasts, talk about the flavors, and enjoy the slow, intentional vibe. You can do this at home, or visit a local specialty coffee shop that offers flight nights.

Specialty coffee has just as much flavor variety as wine. You’ll taste notes of berry, chocolate, caramel, floral, citrus, and even nutty or earthy profiles. Unlike alcohol, coffee leaves you alert, present, and able to actually remember all the good conversations you have that night. For a proper tasting at home, follow this simple order:

1. Start with light, bright roasts first
2. Move to medium roasts next
3. Finish with dark, rich roasts
4. End with one small decaf option for anyone who doesn’t want caffeine late

You don’t need fancy equipment to pull this off. A basic pour over dripper or french press works perfectly. Pick up 4 different 4oz bags of coffee from a local roaster, most will sell these small sample bags for $2-$3 each. Write the name and origin of each coffee on small slips of paper next to the cups. This takes 10 minutes to set up, and will keep your group engaged for hours.

A 2022 study found that social coffee gatherings create the same level of reported connection as alcohol gatherings, but with zero next day regret. This option works especially well for weeknight hangs, when no one wants to show up to work tired the next morning. Even people who normally drink will jump at the chance to try good coffee instead of another beer.

3. Artisan Soda & Bitters Bar

Bitters aren’t just for alcoholic drinks. A couple dashes of bitters can turn a plain bottle of soda into something interesting, complex, and satisfying. This is one of the easiest alternatives for large parties, because you can set it up once and forget about it for the whole night. No mixing, no refilling individual drinks, no mess.

All you need is a selection of good soda, 3-4 different bitters, some fresh fruit garnish, and ice. People can experiment as much or as little as they want. Some will just grab a soda and go, others will spend 10 minutes testing different combinations. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, which makes this feel low pressure for everyone.

Soda Base	Best Bitters Pairing
Plain sparkling water	Orange or aromatic bitters
Ginger ale	Chocolate or cherry bitters
Lemon lime soda	Lavender or grapefruit bitters
Root beer	Vanilla or cinnamon bitters

One of the best things about this option is that it works at literally any event. It fits backyard cookouts, birthday parties, wedding receptions, and work events equally well. No one will feel singled out for not drinking, because everyone is using the same bar. You can even put out little paper cups for people to test small mixes before pouring a full drink.

Most quality bitters cost around $10 a bottle, and will last for dozens of parties. Unlike alcohol, bitters don’t go bad, so you can keep them on your shelf for months. This makes this option one of the most budget friendly on this entire list, and one that you can pull out on short notice when friends show up unannounced.

4. Casual Herbal Tea Ceremony Gatherings

Herbal tea doesn’t have to be something you only drink when you are sick. High quality loose leaf herbal teas come in hundreds of flavors, from bright and fruity to warm and earthy. A casual tea gathering gives you the same slow, cozy vibe as sitting around drinking wine, without the fog.

You don’t need fancy rituals or expensive teapots for this. Just boil water, lay out 5-6 different tea tins, and let people pick what sounds good. Add a plate of cookies or small snacks, and you have a perfect low-key evening. For first timers, start with these universally loved options:

• Hibiscus mint for bright, tart refreshment
• Chamomile lavender for calm relaxation
• Ginger lemon for warm, zingy comfort
• Rooibos vanilla for smooth, sweet richness

Tea naturally encourages slow conversation. No one chugs their cup, no one gets loud or rowdy, and everyone stays present. This is an amazing option for when you want to catch up with one or two close friends, rather than host a big loud party. It works just as well on rainy Sunday afternoons as it does on weekday evenings.

Loose leaf tea costs roughly 10 cents per cup, making this the cheapest option on this list. Most tea tins will last for 6 months or more, so you can build a small collection over time. Unlike alcohol, tea will never leave you regretting how much you had that night.

5. Fresh Pressed Juice Blending Sessions

Turning drinking into an activity removes all the awkwardness of skipping alcohol. Instead of everyone just opening a beer, you all work together to make fresh juice combinations. It feels playful, creative, and gives everyone something to do with their hands while you talk.

All you need is one good blender, a selection of frozen and fresh fruit, and some liquid bases like coconut water or almond milk. People can take turns blending, test each other’s creations, and joke about the terrible combinations someone accidentally makes. Follow this simple formula for good juice every time:

1. 2 parts sweet base fruit (banana, mango, apple)
2. 1 part bright flavor (berry, citrus, pineapple)
3. 1 handful of neutral greens (spinach works perfectly)
4. Enough liquid to blend smooth

You will be shocked how long this keeps a group entertained. People will keep testing new combinations for hours, long after most normal parties would have died down. No one checks their phones, everyone participates, and you end up with something delicious to drink at the end.

This option also works great for outdoor events, beach days, and picnic gatherings. You can pre-chop all the fruit ahead of time, and bring a portable blender that runs off a car battery. It’s healthy, fun, and leaves everyone feeling good instead of sluggish at the end of the day.

6. Sparkling Water Infusion Stations

Plain sparkling water is boring. Infused sparkling water is something people will rave about for weeks. This is the perfect low effort option for big parties, weddings, or work events where you have a wide range of tastes to accommodate.

Set out a big cooler of cold sparkling water, and arrange bowls of chopped fruit, herbs, and berries along the side. People can drop whatever they want into their glass, and give it 2 minutes to infuse. It’s zero work for you, and everyone gets exactly the flavor they want. Most popular infusion combinations include:

• Strawberry and basil
• Cucumber and mint
• Peach and rosemary
• Blueberry and lemon

One of the best parts of this option is that it looks fancy, even though it takes almost no effort. People will comment on how nice the drink station is, and no one will even notice that there is no alcohol available. You can add nice glassware, paper straws, and little signs for each ingredient to make it feel even more intentional.

A case of sparkling water costs less than $5, and will serve 20 people. The fruit and herbs will add another $10 total. For less than $15, you can create a drink station that feels far more special and thoughtful than buying a case of cheap beer.

7. Non-Alcoholic Cider & Fermented Soda Tasting

Fermented non-alcoholic drinks have the same complex, tangy flavor that many people love about beer and wine, without the alcohol. Modern craft producers make thousands of different flavors, from dry apple cider to fruity kombucha and traditional root beer.

This works exactly like a beer tasting. Grab 6-8 different bottles, pour small sample cups, and go around the group rating each one. You can sort them by sweetness, flavor profile, or style. Most people have never tried good non-alcoholic fermented drinks, so this will feel like a brand new experience for almost everyone.

Drink Type	Flavor Profile	Best For
Non-alcoholic hard cider	Dry, crisp, apple	Beer drinkers
Artisanal root beer	Rich, spicy, sweet	Casual gatherings
Low sugar kombucha	Tangy, bright, fruity	Wine drinkers

Most of these drinks have just 5-20 calories per serving, and many contain healthy probiotics. Unlike alcohol, they won’t dehydrate you or ruin your sleep. You can drink 3 or 4 servings and still feel completely normal an hour later.

Most grocery stores now carry a whole section of these drinks. You can pick up 8 different bottles for less than $20 total. This is a great option for people who miss the taste of fermented drinks, but don’t want the effects of alcohol.

8. Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bars With Mix-Ins

Hot chocolate isn’t just for kids. A good gourmet hot chocolate bar is one of the most universally loved drink options that exists. It works for winter parties, movie nights, bonfires, and pretty much any cold weather gathering.

Start with a big pot of good quality dark hot chocolate. Then lay out every possible mix-in you can think of. People will spend 10 minutes building their perfect cup, and then sit around sipping and talking for hours. Some favorite mix-in ideas include:

• Whipped cream and toasted marshmallows
• Crushed peppermint and white chocolate shavings
• Peanut butter and sea salt
• Cinnamon, chili powder, and orange zest

This option feels cozy, nostalgic, and completely low pressure. No one will ask why you aren’t drinking alcohol. In fact, most people will abandon their beer within 5 minutes of seeing the hot chocolate bar. It brings out the playful side of everyone, no matter how old they are.

You can feed 15 people a full gourmet hot chocolate experience for less than $25. Add a plate of homemade cookies, and you have a perfect night that people will talk about for months. This is easily one of the most reliable crowd pleasers on this entire list.

9. Kava Relaxation Drink Nights

Kava is a traditional root drink that creates calm, relaxed feelings without any intoxication or brain fog. It has been used for social gatherings for thousands of years, and has become a popular alcohol alternative in recent years.

Most cities now have kava bars, or you can prepare kava at home for gatherings. It creates the same relaxed, social vibe that people chase with alcohol, but you stay completely present and in control. When trying kava for the first time:

1. Start with one small serving
2. Wait 15 minutes before having more
3. Drink it on an empty stomach for best effect
4. Stick to reputable, tested kava products

Kava is perfect for people who miss the relaxed feeling that alcohol gives, but hate the hangovers, poor decisions, and fog. You can sit around laughing and talking for hours, go to bed whenever you want, and wake up perfectly fine the next morning.

Always buy kava from trusted sources, and check local laws before serving it at gatherings. When used responsibly, it is one of the closest feeling alternatives to alcohol that exists with almost none of the downsides.

10. Smoothie Bowl Happy Hours

Who says happy hour has to involve alcohol? Swap out beer and wings for a build your own smoothie bowl station, and you have an afternoon or evening event that everyone will love.

Make a big batch of thick smoothie base, then lay out bowls and every topping you can imagine. People build their own bowl, sit down, and eat together. It’s casual, satisfying, and feels like a special treat. Popular topping options include:

• Granola and toasted nuts
• Fresh sliced fruit and berries
• Honey, peanut butter, and chocolate chips
• Chia seeds and coconut flakes

This works great for weekend afternoons, post-work gatherings, and brunch events. It’s healthy enough that people won’t feel guilty about it, but indulgent enough that it feels like a fun break from normal life. No one will even mention alcohol once the bowls come out.

You can put together a full smoothie bowl spread for 10 people for around $30. It is far cheaper than buying everyone drinks at a bar, and everyone will leave feeling full and happy instead of buzzed and hungry.

11. Traditional Barley & Root Beverages

Before alcohol became the default social drink, people drank all kinds of flavorful, mild grain and root beverages. Many of these are still made today, and make amazing alcohol alternatives.

Drinks like barley water, horchata, root tea, and roasted grain drinks are rich, satisfying, and designed to be drunk socially. They have enough depth and flavor that you won’t feel like you are missing out on anything. Classic options to try first:

Drink	Origin