# Alcohol-Free Drinks for a Cookout or BBQ | The Softer Hour

> What to put in the cooler for an alcohol-free cookout: NA beer, a pitcher drink, botanical cans for the adults, and how to keep them apart from the kids' drinks.

Source: https://softerhour.com/alcohol-free-drinks-for-a-cookout

Occasion

# Alcohol-free drinks for a cookout

Our pick **Elixir Variety 12-Pack** $102 · 12 cans

[Shop at BBCo →](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/elixir/products/elixir-variety-12pk?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate)

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](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/elixir/products/blueberry-lemonade?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate), [Tiki Apple](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/elixir/products/tiki-apple-with-green-elixir?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate) and [Island Breeze](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/elixir/products/island-breeze?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate).
- **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.

Stock the cooler **Elixir Variety 12-Pack** $102 · 12 cans

[Shop at BBCo →](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/elixir/products/elixir-variety-12pk?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate)

## 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](https://softerhour.com/non-alcoholic-drinks-for-a-party) · [Kratom drinks by occasion](https://softerhour.com/kratom-drinks-by-occasion) · [Kava and kratom together](https://softerhour.com/kava-and-kratom-together)

**Ready to try it?**

[Shop Elixir Variety 12-Pack →](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/elixir/products/elixir-variety-12pk?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate)[Not sure? Take the 60-second quiz](https://softerhour.com/#quiz)