Recommended Articles

Types of Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Author: Kevin Olsen

Last Updated: 10/08/2022

A non-alcoholic beverage is any drink that does not contain alcohol. There are a variety of non-alcoholic drinks that are known as mocktails. A mocktail is a beverage that looks like an alcoholic drink but contains no alcohol. These non-alcoholic drinks are so beneficial for recovering alcoholics or for anyone who just wants to indulge in a delicious treat. 

Alcoholic drinks become addictive and may lead to health concerns. A benefit of having a non-alcoholic drink is that you can have as many as you like without the worry of not being able to drive home or not feeling well the next morning. Alcoholic drinks are often used for a social image. A non-alcoholic drink can be ordered and look just like the typical drink, which makes for a great replacement. For more information on non-alcoholic drinks, continue reading.

What are the Types of Non-alcoholic Beverages?

There are numerous types of non-alcoholic beverages such as stimulating, nourishing and refreshing. Stimulating drinks are made for energy, refreshing drinks are designed to rehydrate, and nourishing drinks contain needed vitamins. Common non-alcoholic beverages are soda, milk, juice, tea, lemonade, and coffee.

We list the common types of non-alcoholic beverages below.

  • Stimulating beverages
  • Refreshing beverages
  • Nourishing beverages

Learn more about each type of non-alcoholic beverage.

Stimulating Beverage

A stimulating beverage is a drink that contains caffeine. A stimulating beverage is commonly consumed daily, tea and coffee are the most universal. The caffeine in these drinks gives energy that is often needed for individuals to get through their busy days. Tea and coffee are habit-forming but if the recommended amount a day is not abused, they are not harmful. Most individuals contain one to two cups per day. 

There are many forms of tea and coffee. Tea can come hot or iced, and coffee can come hot, iced, frozen, or in sweet forms such as candy and ice cream. More stimulating beverages are soda and hot chocolate as they also contain caffeine.

Refreshing Beverages

A refreshing beverage is a drink that helps when you feel dehydrated, especially on a hot day. Some refreshing beverages include lemonade, juice, and electrolyte drinks like Gatorade, smoothies, and mocktails. These are great beverages for when it’s hot out or you just want to enjoy some sweetness. 

All of these juices are great because they don’t contain alcohol so there’s no need to count how many you have. They can contain large amounts of sugar, so they shouldn’t be consumed multiple times a day. There are low-sugar and no-sugar options which can be beneficial for individuals with diabetes or who need to monitor their daily glucose intake.

Nourishing Beverages

A nourishing beverage is packed full of vitamins and nutrients. Some examples of nourishing beverages would be a green smoothie or a protein shake.

They don’t always taste the best, but they are meant to give the body vegetables or daily protein that the average person doesn’t receive in their meals. When buying these drinks it is important to read the label as they are often marketed as healthy but may contain large quantities of sugar and sodium. Many green smoothies and protein shakes have the number of calories and nutrients that are meant to count as a meal. These beverages are often used after workouts to nourish the body.

What You Need to Know About Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks are beverages that contain little to no alcohol. While that’s what a non-alcoholic beverage is at its core, there are many variations and things you should know.

There is beer sold that does not contain alcohol. Non-alcoholic beer is a beneficial option for recovering alcohol use abusers. The taste is very similar and a person can have the same effect as if they are having alcohol. When it comes to non-alcoholic beverages there are also non-alcoholic wines and liquors.

Furthermore, drinking non-alcoholic beverages is healthier than consuming alcohol. Consuming non-alcoholic drinks is also a great way to reduce the risk of alcoholism and other alcohol abuse disorders.

What are the Benefits of Drinking Non-Alcoholic drinks?

The benefit of drinking non-alcoholic drinks is that they are not addictive. There is little concern about long-term illness or disease. Non-alcoholic drinks don’t cause hangovers and the symptoms that come along with them. They also can give a similar feeling as if you are consuming an alcoholic beverage. Common beverages for individuals who want to experience this feeling often order mocktails such as non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiris and pina Coladas. Non-alcoholic beer is also a beneficial option for social drinking.

Below we list several more benefits of drinking non-alcoholic beverages.

  • Improved brain health
  • Reduced risk of liver disease
  • Lower risk of cancers (mouth, throat, and liver)
  • Better heart health
  • Improved memory
  • More restful sleep
  • Improvements in mood and behavior
  • Lower risk of weight gain

These are only several of the benefits of drinking non-alcoholic beverages. Depending on the drink, there may also be more benefits.

What are the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks?

The best non-alcoholic drinks are based on preference such as sweet, sour, and carbonation. Mocktails made as Pina Coladas, flavored seltzers, and strawberry daiquiris are all commonly enjoyed beverages. Popular everyday drinks such as juices, sodas, Shirley Temples, and teas are all delicious non-alcoholic drinks. A lot of the best non-alcoholic drinks are kept in the majority of households and consumed daily.

We list several of the best non-alcoholic drinks below.

These are only some of the best options. The best non-alcoholic beverages depend on personal preference.

What is the Difference Between Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic?

The difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is that non-alcoholic beverages have close to 0% alcohol. While some non-alcoholic beers will have .01 to .05 percent ABV, mocktails and other replacements have 0% alcohol. Because of this factor, non-alcoholic beverages don’t get people drunk.

On the other hand, alcoholic beverages have higher ABV. In fact, one or two beets will make some men and women feel buzzed. Non-alcoholic drinks don’t cause headaches and upset stomachs the next day, even if you drink upwards of 10 of them. The only discomfort you’ll experience is from the carbohydrates in something like non-alcoholic beer.

Non-alcoholic beverages also feel as though you are enjoying an alcoholic drink without the worry of addiction.

Do Non-Alcoholic Drinks Have Any Health Risks?

Yes, there are some health risks to note when consuming non-alcoholic drinks. Although alcoholic drinks have health risks, non-alcoholic drinks can have their concerns. A lot of non-alcoholic beverages such as juices and lemonades contain large amounts of sugar. 

Sugar content is concerning for individuals who have to monitor their sugar intake. If these beverages are consumed daily and over the long term, it leads to diabetes and other ailments. Many stores do often offer low or no-sugar options for these popular drinks that come with little to no health risks. 

Are Non-Alcoholic Drinks Healthy?

Yes and no, some non-alcoholic drinks are healthy but others are not. Non-alcoholic drinks are healthier because they don’t have as many dangerous risk factors as alcoholic drinks. Just looking at non-alcoholic drinks themselves is not necessarily healthy. It is important to read the label to see exactly what is in them because they are not always what they seem. 

An example of this is apple juice. Apple juice sounds like a beverage made out of apples but it contains added sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. Again, healthier low-sugar options are available in drinks like these but it’s necessary to do your research. Even low-sugar/calorie drinks can be made with a lot of sugar substitutes, which come with health concerns.

Is a mocktail considered a non-alcoholic drink?

Yes, mocktails are considered non-alcoholic drinks. Mocktails are made just like cocktails without alcohol. They are beneficial substitutes for recovering alcohol use abusers or people who don’t like to consume alcohol. Mocktails are a safer choice as they have fewer health concerns. In fact, some mocktails will improve your health and vitality.