Alcohol-free drinks for a cookout
A cookout without alcohol mostly comes down to the cooler. Set up three and nobody has to ask what's in their cup.
The three-cooler setup
- Cooler 1: NA beer and seltzers. The "beer with the burgers" ritual, without the alcohol.
- Cooler 2: a big-batch pitcher. Lemonade with muddled berries and mint, or iced tea with peach slices. Everyone can drink it, kids included.
- Cooler 3: botanical cans, adults 21+ only. Keep it separate and labeled, away from the kids' drinks.
Botanical cans for the adults' cooler
Pick by what suits a hot afternoon outside:
- Something light and fizzy: a kratom seltzer, the hard-seltzer format. Mitra9's lists zero sugar and no caffeine, per the brand.
- Something fruity: juice-style elixirs like Blueberry Lemonade, Tiki Apple and Island Breeze.
- Already a kava-bar regular: blends like New Brew put kava, kratom and tea in one can, so don't add another botanical can on top.
Prices, ingredients and flavors from each brand's own site and major retailers, checked September 2026. Brands change formulas, so check the can.
Heat, sun and the drive home
- Keep everything on ice and put out a water jug next to the coolers.
- One botanical can is one serving. Don't stack them over a long afternoon.
- Anyone driving home skips the botanical cooler.
Who should skip kava
- Kava drinks are for adults 21+.
- Kava has rare reports of liver problems, mostly linked to concentrated supplements. Skip it if you have a liver condition, are pregnant or nursing, or take medications that affect the liver or nervous system.
- Don't mix it with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure.
Who should skip kratom
- Kratom drinks are for adults 21+.
- Kratom can be habit-forming with regular use. The FDA hasn't approved it for any use, and it's restricted in some states and cities, so check your local rules.
- Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing, in recovery from alcohol or other substance use, or take any daily medication. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure.
- One can is one serving. Don't drink it with alcohol or other botanicals, and don't drive after drinking it.
Related: Non-alcoholic drinks for a party · Kratom drinks by occasion · Kava and kratom together
Ready to try it?