With the economy on the blink and AI coming for everyone’s jobs, perhaps it’s no surprise the booze-free movement has been gaining momentum. The days of rolling into work bleary-eyed are long gone — we simply can’t afford the hangover.
And yet, though headaches may be out, escapism, social connection and having a laugh are still very much in. The moderation movement is still evolving, as the “low” half of the “no and low” category continues to grow. It seems more and more of us are giving the “less but better” thing a go, and while that may mean forgoing lunchtime pints in favour of an evening Negroni for some, for others it’s about entirely new alternatives.
Enter the new era of drinking: mood-boosting blends driven by a wave of alternative spirits and beers. Crafted with botanicals, adaptogens, nootropics and neurotransmitter-targeting compounds, these beverages promise everything from calm, clarity and focus to more energy, increased sociability, better sleep and even a few (legal) semi-psychedelic highs.It’s a category known as “functional drinks”, where the benefits take centre stage.
“Most of the focus so far has been about mimicking flavour, as opposed to the sensory experience of alcohol itself,” says Collider drinks founder Harry Cooke. “With thousands of compounds out there that are well studied for their mood-boosting effects, it seemed obvious to try to emulate that experience.”
The result? “I wouldn’t be surprised to see over half the non-alcoholic offerings on the market contain some sort of functional component within five years.”
It’s time to get on board, then, even if it’s worth pointing out that some of these “mood-boosting” claims are just that — claims.
“While some scientific studies suggest positive effects on mood and energy levels from specific plant compounds, such as theobromine (found in cacao beans), caffeine and myrcene (found in hops and cannabis), there is a noticeable gap in peer-reviewed research for some plants widely used in Eastern medicine,” says Dr Shelini Surendran, the international associate dean at the University of Surrey’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. “It’s possible that they could hold the key to improving memory, cognitive function, or stress reduction — but further research is needed to understand their full benefits or side effects.”
But, as a booze journo who essentially drinks for a living, I was keen to find out if there was any truth in the drinks promising all of the fun but none of the consequences. Let’s pour them out.
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