# What to Drink Tonight Instead of Alcohol: Pick by Occasion | The Softer Hour

> Not drinking tonight? Start with the kind of night it is: in on the couch, out with people, dinner, game night. Then pick a drink that fits.

Source: https://softerhour.com/what-to-drink-tonight

Going alcohol-free

# What to drink tonight (instead of alcohol)

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)

Not drinking tonight? Start with the kind of night it is, not the plant. Here's what fits each one, from plain non-alcoholic options to the botanical cans we link to.

Not sure where to start? The [60-second drink finder](https://softerhour.com/#quiz) asks about your night and your favorite flavors.

## A night in

Home, couch, nowhere to be. A cold non-alcoholic beer, an herbal tea, or a kava can poured over ice. If kava is new to you, start with [your first kava night at home](https://softerhour.com/kava-night-at-home).

## Out with people

At a bar, order something that looks like a drink: soda and bitters, an NA beer, a mocktail. [What to order at a bar](https://softerhour.com/what-to-drink-instead-of-alcohol-at-a-bar).

## Hosting

Set out a pitcher everyone can drink, plus a labeled bucket of cans for adults. [Non-alcoholic drinks for a party](https://softerhour.com/non-alcoholic-drinks-for-a-party) has the full setup, and [Kanna Pomegranate Fusion](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/kanna/products/pomegranate-fusion?sca_ref=12358316.LbbEA40zk2Gdk&utm_source=softerhour&utm_medium=affiliate) pours pink in a wine glass.

## Dinner

Non-alcoholic wine or sparkling water with citrus works with food. [What to drink instead of wine](https://softerhour.com/what-to-drink-instead-of-wine).

## Game night or a movie

Something cold in a can, or one pitcher for the room. [Game-day drinks](https://softerhour.com/alcohol-free-drinks-for-game-day) and [movie-night drinks](https://softerhour.com/alcohol-free-drinks-for-a-movie-night).

## Earlier in the evening

If you still have things to do, keep it simple: sparkling water, iced tea or an NA beer. If you want a botanical can, choose by flavor. The elixirs come in blueberry lemonade, apple and lemon, and tropical.

Every elixir flavor **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)

## The rules for every can

- One can is one serving.
- Never with alcohol, and one botanical at a time.
- Adults 21+ only, and nobody drives after.

Want the plant-by-plant comparison instead? Our sister site covers [kava vs. kratom](https://thefunctionalsip.com/article/kava-vs-kratom).

Every kava flavor **Kava Variety 12-Pack** $102 · 12 cans

[Shop at BBCo →](https://botanicalbrewingco.com/collections/kava-1/products/kava-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.

## Who should skip kanna

- Kanna drinks are for adults 21+.
- Never combine kanna with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) or other serotonergic medications.
- Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing, and talk to your doctor if you take any daily medication.
- One can is one serving. Don't drink it with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.

Related: [Your first kava night at home](https://softerhour.com/kava-night-at-home) · [How to drink less alcohol](https://softerhour.com/how-to-drink-less-alcohol) · [What to drink instead of wine](https://softerhour.com/what-to-drink-instead-of-wine)

**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)