Why a starter pack?
The hardest part of drinking less isn't the drink. It's the moment: 6pm on a Tuesday, the dinner party, the game on TV. If there's nothing good in the fridge for those moments, you'll pour what you always poured. Stock these and you won't have to think about it.
Kava Orange Dream
Kava is the backbone of a sober-curious fridge. It's a South Pacific root that's been the end-of-day drink there for centuries, and Orange Dream makes it taste like a bright orange soda. Keep a 12-pack in the door.
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Kanna Pomegranate Fusion
Kanna is a South African succulent, and Pomegranate Fusion is sparkling pomegranate and raspberry that pours pink in a glass. It's our bottle-of-wine replacement: something to put on the table when friends come over. Never with antidepressants.
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Kava Tutti Frutti
Rainbow sherbet kava. The one to hand a friend who's skeptical, and the one that disappears first at a barbecue.
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Red Elixir Blueberry Lemonade
Sweet blueberry and tart lemon over red-vein kratom leaf. Kratom is for adults 21+, can be habit-forming with regular use, and isn't sold in every state; read who should skip it below.
Shop Blueberry LemonadeZero alcohol · Ships direct from Botanical BrewingHiyo Social Tonic Classic Pack
Hiyo is a light social tonic with adaptogens and nootropics, 30 calories and no caffeine. Good for the afternoons when you just want something better than plain seltzer.
Check price on AmazonKin Euphorics Lightwave
Kin Lightwave: lavender-vanilla, smoked sea salt and passionflower, caffeine-free. Moody and complex, like a bar drink.
Check price on AmazonSeedlip Spice 94
Seedlip Spice 94 with tonic and an orange twist is the easiest zero-proof cocktail there is. Allspice, cardamom, citrus peel.
Check price on AmazonGiesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc
Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc keeps the bright, grassy citrus of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc with the alcohol removed (under 0.5% ABV).
Check price on AmazonHow to make it stick
- Keep the good stuff cold. A can of kava ready in the fridge door is the whole trick.
- Use a real glass. Pour it over ice with a citrus slice. The ritual matters as much as what's in it.
- Start with a variety pack. Botanical Brewing's kava variety pack is the easiest way to find your favorite.
- In recovery? The botanical cans on this list (kava, kanna and kratom) aren't recommended if you're in recovery from alcohol or other substance use. The zero-proof spirits, alcohol-free wine and seltzers are the better picks.
Buying for a sober-curious friend? Our non-alcoholic gift guide sorts gift sets and sampler boxes by budget. Comparing bottles and six-packs? See the best non-alcoholic spirits, the best non-alcoholic wine and the best non-alcoholic beer.
Who should skip kava
- Kava drinks are for adults 21+. Skip them if you're under 21.
- Skip kava if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Skip kava if you have a liver condition or drink heavily. Kava has been linked to rare cases of serious liver injury.
- Skip it if you take antidepressants (including SSRIs), sedatives, sleep aids or medications that affect the liver, unless your doctor says it's OK.
- Rules on kava vary by place. Check your local rules before you buy.
- One can or shell is one serving. Don't mix kava with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.
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 does sober curious mean?
Being sober curious means questioning your drinking and choosing to drink less or not at all, without necessarily committing to full sobriety.
What should I drink instead of alcohol at night?
A sparkling kava drink is our favorite evening replacement. It's built around an end-of-day ritual, like a beer or a glass of wine used to be.
What's a good non-alcoholic drink for a party?
Kanna drinks like Pomegranate Fusion, a zero-proof spirit with tonic, or a sparkling alcohol-free wine.
