What is a social tonic?
"Social tonic" is a marketing term, not a regulated category. Brands use it for alcohol-free drinks meant for the moments people usually reach for a beer or a glass of wine: parties, dinners, concerts, the bar. Most are sparkling cans blended with botanicals (ginger, lemon balm, passionflower), adaptogens (ashwagandha, reishi) or nootropics (L-theanine, lion's mane).
Hiyo is the brand that made the name stick. Its co-founder describes it as a social tonic rather than a functional beverage, and the company has grown into thousands of stores, from Costco and Target to Whole Foods.
Searches for "social tonic" nearly doubled over the past year (Semrush, US), so expect more brands to use the name.
Social tonic vs. other alcohol-free drinks
- Social tonics are built around a blend of botanicals and are meant to be sipped socially.
- Adaptogen drinks are similar cans, often marketed for any time of day. See the best adaptogen drinks.
- Kava and kanna drinks are built around one traditional plant. They come with their own cautions, listed below.
- Non-alcoholic spirits, wine and beer taste like the drink they replace. See non-alcoholic spirits.
Some brands also sell THC "social tonics." We don't cover THC or hemp drinks, so they're not on this list.
How we picked
We compared the social tonics people search for most, using what each brand's label and product page list: ingredients, calories, sugar, caffeine and price per can. We didn't rank them on effects. How any botanical affects a person varies, and these labels don't make that easy to compare.
Social tonics compared
| Drink | Format | What's in it | Calories / sugar | Caffeine | Price per can | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiyo Our review | 12 oz sparkling can | 1.7 g blend: ashwagandha (KSM-66), L-theanine, lion's mane, lemon balm, passionflower, ginger | 30 / 4 to 5 g | None listed | About $3.75 | Brand site |
| Kin Euphorics Lightwave Our review | 8 oz sparkling can | Passionflower, reishi, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, L-serine, magnesium glycinate; lavender-vanilla and smoked sea salt | 45 / 2 g | None | About $4.75 | Check price on Amazon |
| Moment Our review | 11.5 oz can, sparkling or still | Adaptogen blend listing L-theanine and ashwagandha (amounts not printed) | 15 to 20 / 0 g added | None | About $3.00 to $3.33 at Walmart (Nov 1, 2026) | Check price on Amazon |
| Recess Mood Our review | Sparkling can | Magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) plus adaptogens | Check the can | Check the can | Check Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
| BBCo Kanna Pomegranate Fusion Our review | 12 oz can, sparkling | 20 mg kanna isolate; "Triblend" of three kanna types (label checked Oct 14, 2026) | 48 / 12 g (label checked Oct 14, 2026) | Not stated | On sale: $7.65 (4, $30.60) · $7.23 (12, $86.70) · $7.44 (24, $178.50); checked Oct 21, 2026 | Shop |
Our picks
Hiyo is the default social tonic: four fruit flavors (blackberry lemon, peach mango, strawberry guava, watermelon lime), 30 calories, 4 to 5 g of sugar, and one of the few that prints how much of its blend is in the can. Read our Hiyo review.
Kin Lightwave is the one to pour into a coupe. It's moody and complex, closer to an amaro cocktail than a seltzer, with lavender, vanilla and smoked sea salt. It's caffeine-free; Kin's other can, Spritz, has 50 mg of caffeine, so don't mix them up at night. Read our Kin review.
Moment is the light, low-calorie option at 15 to 20 calories, and the only one here that also comes still. Read our Moment review.
Recess Mood is the gentlest: a lightly flavored sparkling water with magnesium L-threonate. Good for seltzer drinkers. Read our Recess review.
A different kind of social drink: kanna
Kanna is a South African succulent with a long history of social use there, and it now shows up in a handful of alcohol-free cans. Botanical Brewing Co.'s Kanna Pomegranate Fusion is one of the few ready-to-drink kanna cans on the market. Read who should skip kanna below before you try it, and see all the options in the best kanna drinks.
Before you try one
- Check the caffeine before an evening event. Most social tonics have none, but some cans in the same brand line do.
- If you take daily medication, show the ingredient list to your pharmacist. Many blends include several botanicals.
- Don't combine a kanna can with antidepressants, and don't mix any of these with alcohol.
Sources
- Hiyo ingredients, calories and sugar: Hiyo's Walmart product listing (12-pack, checked Nov 1, 2026); company background: BeverageDaily, Jan 20, 2026
- Kin, Moment and Recess facts: our reviews of each, linked above
- Botanical Brewing Co. Kanna Pomegranate Fusion
Brands change formulas and prices often, so the can in your hand is the final word.
Who should skip kanna
- Kanna drinks are for adults 21+. Skip them if you're under 21.
- Skip kanna if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Never combine kanna with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) or other serotonergic medications.
- Talk to your doctor first if you take sedatives, sleep aids or any other daily medication.
- Rules on botanical products vary by state and country. Check your local rules before you buy.
- One can is one serving. Don't drink it with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.
These are general cautions, not medical advice. If you're unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions people ask
What is a social tonic?
An alcohol-free drink made for social moments like parties and dinners, usually sparkling and blended with botanicals, adaptogens or nootropics. It's a marketing term, not a regulated category.
Do social tonics contain alcohol?
The ones on this list contain no alcohol. Some brands also sell THC "social tonics," which we don't cover.
What's in Hiyo social tonic?
A 1.7 g blend of ashwagandha (KSM-66), L-theanine, lion's mane, lemon balm, passionflower and ginger, with 30 calories and 4 to 5 g of sugar per 12 oz can.
Do social tonics have caffeine?
Most don't. Hiyo, Kin Lightwave and Moment are caffeine-free, but Kin Spritz has 50 mg, so check the can.
What's the difference between a social tonic and an adaptogen drink?
Mostly the marketing. Both are alcohol-free cans with botanical blends; "social tonic" is pitched at parties and nights out.
Is kanna a social tonic?
Kanna is a South African plant with a long history of social use, and a few alcohol-free cans now feature it. Never combine it with antidepressants.
