Herbs>Alc: 6 Herbs that serve as alcohol replacements
6 Herbs to Use as Alcohol Replacements
Welcome to the world of herbal mixology - replacing alcohol with plant extracts that actually do something for your body and mind.
These aren't just fancy ingredients to make your mocktail look sophisticated. These are plants with thousands of years of traditional use, backed by modern research, that help you relax, connect, and feel good without the hangover, brain fog, or next-day anxiety that comes with alcohol.
Here are 6 of our favorite plants to use in zero-proof cocktails, plus a few honorable mentions we specifically chose not to work with (and why).
The 6 Herbs We Use (and why they work)
1. Kava
Kava has been consumed ceremonially by natives on the islands of Polynesia for over 3,000 years. It's quickly spreading as an alternative to alcohol in Australia, Europe, and North America.
Kava is cherished for its support of healthy relaxation, grounding sensations, and connecting properties. It works on GABA receptors (like alcohol) but without impairing your judgment or clouding your mind. You feel calm, social, at ease - but you're still present. Still yourself.
How to use it: Kava has an earthy, slightly bitter taste that pairs well with citrus, tropical flavors, and coconut. Think margaritas, piña coladas, anything with lime or pineapple.
In our blends: Altared combines kava with damiana for a nervine blend that eases tension and elevates mood.
A note: If you're on medications or have liver issues, check with your doctor first. Also, kava can make your mouth feel slightly numb - that's normal and temporary. Traditional preparation methods (water-based extraction, noble kava varieties) are key for safety.
2. Kanna
Kanna is a succulent originating from South Africa. The Khoikhoi people used it to uplift the spirit and support concentration during long journeys.
Today, kanna is gaining popularity as a way to "open the heart." It reduces anxiety and provides a mild euphoria - inviting calm, emotional warmth, presence, and authentic connection. People describe it as making everything feel a little softer, a little more possible.
How to use it: Kanna has a slightly herbaceous, earthy taste. It works well in citrus-forward drinks, berry cocktails, or anything with a bit of sweetness to balance it out.
In our blends: Ecstatic combines kanna with damiana for a thymoleptic (mood-enhancing) blend that genuinely shifts your capacity for joy.
A note: Do not use kanna if you're on SSRIs, MAOIs, or other serotonergic medications. Also avoid combining with MDMA/molly. Kanna affects serotonin, so mixing it with other serotonin-modulating substances can be dangerous.
3. Damiana
Damiana, native to Central and South America, has been used by indigenous peoples to support emotional balance and romantic vitality. The ancient Mayans prized it as a powerful ceremonial aid and aphrodisiac.
Fun fact: fermented damiana was the liqueur used in the original margarita recipe. So when we use it in our Altarita (our take on a margarita), it's actually staying true to the drink's roots.
Today, research shows a wide range of benefits attributed to this desert dame including antioxidant, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant effects. It's also known for supporting... let's just say, romantic vitality. No whiskey d*ck with damiana.
How to use it: Damiana has a slightly sweet, herbal flavor with notes of chamomile and citrus. It's versatile - works in almost any cocktail style.
In our blends: We use damiana in both Altared (with kava) and Ecstatic (with kanna) because it plays so well with other nervines and mood-supporting plants.
A note: Generally well-tolerated, but if you're pregnant or have hormone-sensitive conditions, check with your doctor.
4. Blue Lotus
Native to the Nile river, this divine water lily has been revered since the time of the Pharaohs. Blue lotus was a powerful symbol in Ancient Egypt - depicted in hieroglyphics, used in ceremonies, associated with rebirth and transcendence.
This ethereal bloom is cherished for calming the nerves, reducing anxiety, and providing a gentle euphoric feeling of wellbeing. It's also known to promote vivid and lucid dreams for some people.
How to use it: Blue lotus has a delicate, slightly floral taste. It works beautifully in gin-style botanicals, champagne alternatives, or any drink where you want a subtle, dreamy quality.
In our blends: Lucid is pure blue lotus - designed for chilling out and tapping into something deeper. It's a nervine with mild hypnotic qualities, perfect for evening rituals or when you want to drop into a more meditative state.
A note: Blue lotus is generally gentle, but it can be mildly sedating. Don't drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming. If you're on any medications, especially sedatives, check with your doctor.
5. Rhodiola
Native to the high mountain regions of China, Russia, and North America, rhodiola has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for supporting steady energy and mental focus.
Viking warriors used the root before battles to enhance strength. Siberian folklore tied it to a long life and vitality. This prized adaptogen is quickly gaining popularity for its ability to combat stress, relieve fatigue, and increase energy and focus without the jitters.
How to use it: Rhodiola has a slightly bitter, rose-like taste. It pairs well with citrus, berries, and anything bright and energizing.
In our blends: Long Rhode combines rhodiola with schisandra for an adaptogen + stimulant blend that helps you stay regulated and resilient when life gets intense.
A note: Rhodiola is generally well-tolerated, but because it's slightly stimulating, you might want to avoid it late at night if you're sensitive to stimulants.
6. Schisandra
Native to the wild, mountainous regions of China and the Russian Far East, schisandra is known as the "Five-Flavor Fruit" because it contains all five classical tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent.
Siberian hunters valued the berries as a tonic to increase endurance and stave off exhaustion during long expeditions. Today, this adaptogen is praised for its ability to support overall stamina, vitality, and resilience. It's also hepatoprotective - meaning it actually supports liver health.
How to use it: Schisandra has a complex, tart-sweet flavor with berry notes. It's fantastic in lemonades, berry cocktails, or anything where you want depth and complexity.
In our blends: Long Rhode combines schisandra with rhodiola for a powerful one-two punch of stress resilience and sustained energy.
A note: Generally very safe, though if you're on medications metabolized by the liver, check with your doctor as schisandra can affect drug metabolism.
Honorable Mentions (and why we don't use them)
There are plenty of other herbs popular in the alcohol alternative space. Here's why we chose not to work with some of them.
Ashwagandha
Why it's popular: One of the most well-known adaptogens. Great for stress, anxiety, and sleep support. It's everywhere right now.
Why we don't use it: Honestly? It's already widely available, and we wanted to work with plants that aren't as mainstream. Also, ashwagandha makes a lot of people groggy or sedated, which isn't the vibe we're going for. We're building drinks for socializing, connecting, being present - not for bedtime.
Passionflower
Why it's popular: Beautiful nervine with strong calming effects. Great for anxiety and insomnia.
Why we don't use it: Too sedative for what we're creating. Passionflower is amazing for sleep support, but it's not what you want when you're out with friends or trying to stay engaged at a gathering. We wanted plants that help you relax without knocking you out.
Kratom
Why it's popular: Strong opioid-like effects. Some people use it for pain relief or as an alcohol/opioid substitute.
Why we don't use it: Kratom is addictive. It creates physical dependence. It can cause withdrawal symptoms. And honestly, it's not benevolent in the way we think about plant allies. We're looking for plants that support your nervous system and help you feel more like yourself - not plants that replace one addiction with another.
CBD/Hemp
Why it's popular: Huge wellness trend. Anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, widely accepted.
Why we don't use it: Not our vibe. CBD is great for some people, but it's oversaturated in the market and it doesn't align with the kind of experience we're creating. We're more interested in plants with rich ceremonial histories and traditional use - not cannabinoids extracted for wellness supplements.
How to Use These Herbs in Your Own Drinks
Here's the thing about herbal mixology: you can get creative. These plants work in almost any cocktail format you can imagine.
For citrus-forward drinks (margaritas, cosmopolitans, whiskey sours): Try kava, kanna, or rhodiola. The bright, tart flavors balance out any earthy notes from the herbs.
For tropical drinks (piña coladas, mai tais, tiki cocktails): Kava is your friend. It pairs beautifully with coconut, pineapple, and lime.
For herbaceous, botanical drinks (gin alternatives, mojitos, spritzes): Blue lotus, damiana, and schisandra all shine here. They add complexity and depth.
For berry or fruit-heavy drinks: Schisandra and kanna work wonderfully with berries, stone fruits, and anything slightly tart.
For evening/wind-down drinks: Blue lotus or damiana. They're calming without being too sedating.
For daytime/energy drinks: Rhodiola and schisandra. They give you sustained energy and focus without the crash.
The best part? You can layer these. Combine kava with damiana for social ease. Mix rhodiola with schisandra for stress resilience. Add kanna and damiana for heart-opening, mood-lifting vibes.
Or just use our blends, which we've already formulated for specific effects: Altared (kava + damiana), Ecstatic (kanna + damiana), Lucid (blue lotus), and Long Rhode (rhodiola + schisandra).
Ready to try an altarnative?
Plants are not alternative medicine, they're the original. Our ancestors knew how to work with these allies for thousands of years. We're just bringing that wisdom into modern rituals - drinks that taste good, feel good, and support your body instead of depleting it.
All of our Altar Native blends are crafted with these herbs using water-based extraction methods, third-party tested, and designed for flavor, feeling, and function.
Shop our blends:
Altared ✦ Kava + Damiana
To ease tension and elevate mood. Perfect for socializing or unwinding.
Ecstatic ⟡ Kanna + Damiana
To open your heart and increase joy. For when you want to feel more connected.
Lucid ✦ Blue Lotus
For chilling out and tapping in. Evening rituals, creative flow, or introspection.
Long Rhode ⟡ Rhodiola + Schisandra
Adaptogen + stimulant blend for stress resilience and sustained energy. When life gets intense.
If you have questions about these herbs, how to use them, or which blend is right for you - reach out. We're still small enough that I personally respond to every message.
in peace + purpose,
Yas ☾