Alcohol Alternatives

You want to drink less, but plain tap water at a party can feel deeply tragic. It sits there, doing nothing, while everyone else has a glass that looks fun.

Have you considered alcohol alternatives?

They are not just for people who never drink. They are also for Dry January, midweek plans, better sleep, training days, saving money, and avoiding the Thursday morning “why did we do that?” meeting.

Even the NHS says drinking less can boost energy, support weight goals, and save money.

So let’s talk about swaps that still feel like a proper drink, not a sad little punishment.

9 Best Alcohol Alternatives to Try

1. CBD Drinks

A CBD drink is a booze-free drink infused with cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound from hemp. And hemp won’t get you high, drunk, or out of control.

CBD drinks are great if you want the feeling of having a proper drink in your hand, without the booze turning the next morning into a personal attack.

You still get the can, the flavour, the ritual, and the social bit, but without alcohol units. Some people use CBD drinks as part of their evening wind-down, especially when they want to feel a bit more settled without reaching for wine or beer.

Our Little Rick CBD drinks are full-spectrum CBD, with 32mg CBD per can, plus CBG and CBC. You can try our Mix Pack with all four flavours to test the line-up before picking your fridge favourite.

2. Alcohol-Free Beer

Alcohol free beer is the easiest swap for beer drinkers because the format already makes sense. You still get the fridge grab, the cold can, and the pub-friendly feeling.

It works well for BBQs, football, after-work plans, and nights when your favourite tipple is usually lager.

Drinkaware says swapping standard alcoholic drinks for alcohol-free alternatives can help cut overall drinking.

Just check the label. Some drinks are low alcohol, not fully alcohol-free.

3. Mocktails

Mocktails are non alcoholic cocktails made to copy the flavour, glassware, and theatre of cocktails. We are talking mojito-style, daiquiri-style, spritz-style, sour-style, and anything that deserves ice.

They are best for parties, dinners, and nights when you still want ice, garnish, citrus, and colour.

But they take some time to make, because good mocktail recipes often need fruit, syrup, herbs, or decent mixers.

Our Little Rick flavours can fit this mood too, with Mint & Lime giving mojito energy, Piña feeling tropical, and Raspberry Lemonade leaning daiquiri-style.

4. Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink with a sharp, fizzy, slightly tangy flavour. It has that fermented tang, so it feels less like a normal soft drink.

It is best for lunch, Sunday resets, and people who enjoy a bit of bite.

The downside is that not everyone likes the vinegar note. Some bottles may also contain trace alcohol, so check the label carefully.

5. Sparkling Botanical Drinks

Sparkling botanical drinks are booze-free drinks made with herbs, fruit, florals, spices, and bitters-style flavours. Think elderflower, rosemary, citrus, ginger, hibiscus, cucumber, mint, club soda, and sparkling water over ice.

They are best for wine, spritz, or gin alternative moments, especially when you want something pretty in a glass.

Choose them for dinner, garden drinks, or nights when the garnish matters.

But they can be pricey, because some botanical drinks cost like they went to private school.

6. Adaptogen or Functional Drinks

Functional drinks are drinks made with functional ingredients such as magnesium, lemon balm, chamomile, L-theanine, or lion’s mane.

They are best for people who want “something is happening” non alcoholic drinks.

But the effects vary a lot, and some are more marketing than magic. Choose this if you enjoy experimenting, but avoid expecting one can to rewrite your nervous system.

7. Premium Sodas and Adult Soft Drinks

Premium sodas are flavour-first soft drinks made for adults who still want something bold and fun.

Ginger beer, ginger ale, blood orange soda, yuzu soda, rhubarb soda, cloudy lemonade, and premium cola…

These are great if taste matters more to you than function.

Just know they come with a lot of added sugar, so check the label if that is on your radar.

Little Rick belongs near this lane too, because our drinks bring big soda-style flavour with a CBD twist, but with natural sweeteners.

8. Tea-Based Evening Drinks

Tea-based drinks use brewed tea as the base, either hot, iced, sparkling, or mixed into cold-brew tea mocktails.

If you stay at home, tea-based drinks can be the best non-alcoholic drink option, especially with chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, chai, iced green tea, or sparkling tea.

The downside is that they can feel less social unless you prepare them properly. A plain mug is lovely, but it is not exactly party gear. It may look weird.

9. Low-Alcohol Drinks

Low alcohol drinks still contain alcohol, but less than standard beer, wine, or spirits.

Low alcohol lager, lower-strength cider, and lighter sparkling wines…

Drinkaware says low and no-alcohol options can help cut down when they replace standard drinks. That “replace” bit matters. Adding them on top of normal alcohol consumption does not do much.

Best Alcohol Alternatives by Situation

What Makes a Good Alcohol Alternative?

A good swap needs more than “technically not alcohol.” It has to taste good, fit the moment, and feel like something you chose.

It Has to Taste Good

No one sticks to a healthy swap that tastes like wet cardboard wearing perfume. Look for proper flavour, balance, and a finish that does not feel cheap.

It Should Feel Like a Ritual

The can, bottle, ice, garnish, and glass all matter. People are often replacing the ritual of alcohol, not just the alcohol itself.

It Should Match the Moment

A pub night needs a different drink than a sofa night. Alcohol-free beer may suit one, while a CBD drink or mocktail suits the other.

It Should Be Clear About Ingredients

Labels matter. Check CBD content, alcohol percentage, calories, sugar, sweeteners, and testing.

It Should Not Feel Like a Punishment

The best alcohol alternative is the one you actually want to drink. If it feels like homework, it will live in the cupboard forever.

Why Are More People Looking for Alcohol Alternatives?

People are usually trying to fix a pattern that stopped feeling worth it.

The UK low-risk guidance says adults should not regularly drink more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days if drinking that amount.

So… Why?

• Hangovers feel less funny when Saturday plans matter.

• Better sleep becomes a bigger priority.

• Fitness goals clash with late-night drinking.

• Mental clarity feels better than fuzzy mornings.

• Money saved on rounds adds up quickly.

• Sober curiosity feels more normal now.

• Work-night socialising needs a cleaner option.

• Sunday dread gets worse when alcohol joins in.

• People still want fun, just with fewer consequences.

Alcohol Alternatives vs Alcohol: What Changes?

If alcohol works for you, fine. We are not here to wag a tiny finger. But if it keeps costing you sleep, money, or good mornings, there are better swaps now.

How to Make Alcohol Alternatives Feel Less Boring

The real fear is not “what will I drink?” It is “Will I feel like the boring one?” The trick is making the swap feel intentional.

• Use proper glassware. A nice glass makes almost anything feel less like fridge admin.

• Add ice and garnish. Lime, mint, berries, or cucumber do heavy lifting.

• Bring your own cans. House parties are easier when you arrive prepared.

• Try cocktail-inspired flavours. Mojito, daiquiri, and piña-style drinks still feel fun.

• Keep options in the fridge. Future you deserves better than emergency squash.

• Do not explain too much. “I fancied this” is enough.

• Choose something that looks good. A nice can helps you feel part of the room.

• Match the occasion. Sofa night, pub night, and dinner need different drinks.

Our Little Rick cans actually look fun in your hand. They are bold, colourful, and made for people who want alcohol-free drinks that still feel social.

Who Should Be Careful With Alcohol Alternatives?

• People in alcohol recovery may need to avoid drinks that mimic alcohol too closely.

• Pregnant people should speak to a healthcare professional about suitable choices.

• Anyone taking medication should check ingredients, especially functional drinks.

• CBD users should avoid mixing CBD with alcohol or sedatives unless advised.

• People subject to workplace drug testing should be careful with full-spectrum CBD.

Also, note that full-spectrum CBD may contain trace controlled cannabinoids, so it may come positive on a drug test. If your job tests, do not gamble with it.

Final Verdict: Little Rick is the Best Alcohol Alternative You’ll Actually Enjoy

Alcohol alternatives should not feel like a punishment for making a better choice. The good ones still give you flavour, ritual, and something fun to hold, without dragging alcohol into the night.

If beer is your thing, alcohol-free beer makes sense. If you miss cocktails, mocktails can do the job. But if you want something calm, social, colourful, and genuinely tasty, Little Rick is an easy place to start.

Our CBD drinks taste more like proper soda than plain wellness fizz, with 32mg full-spectrum CBD in every can.

Try the Little Rick Mix Pack, find your favourite flavour, and give your fridge a no-booze option that does not feel like a compromise.

FAQs

What is the best alternative to alcohol?

The best alcohol alternative depends on what you miss most. If you miss beer, try alcohol-free beer. If you miss cocktails, try mocktails. If you want a relaxing social drink without alcohol, a CBD drink may suit you.

What can I drink instead of alcohol at night?

CBD drinks, herbal tea, sparkling botanical drinks, kombucha, alcohol-free beer, and mocktails can all work well at night.

What gives you a buzz without alcohol?

Some people use CBD drinks, functional drinks, or botanical drinks when they want a different kind of wind-down. With UK CBD drinks, we would not call it an intoxicating buzz. It is more about a calm, alcohol-free ritual.

Are CBD drinks better than alcohol?

CBD drinks and alcohol are different, so “better” depends on what you want. CBD drinks do not contain alcohol and will not add alcohol units, but they should not be treated as medicine. For many people, they are a lighter way to relax socially.

What alcohol alternative has no hangover?

Alcohol-free beer, mocktails, CBD drinks, kombucha, sparkling water, and adult soft drinks do not cause an alcohol hangover because they do not contain standard alcoholic units. Just watch sugar, caffeine, and any trace alcohol on labels.

Can alcohol alternatives help me drink less?

Alcohol alternatives can help if they replace alcoholic drinks rather than being added alongside them. The goal is to lower alcohol intake, not build a bigger drinks menu.