Dry, Not Boring: The Best Non-Alcoholic Canned Beverages

I’m a pro cook, *not* a bartender. Though I can make a few classic cocktails (especially anything with a 50/50 ratio), it’s not my strong suit, especially when you throw non-alcoholic (NA) into the mix. I’m also not a huge fan of spirits on their own—straight up or on the rocks—so a NA version of a gin or vodka doesn’t quite do it for me. Enter: the non-alcoholic canned beverage taste test run by yours truly.

For my Dry January this year, I wanted to still give myself special beverage moments—which is arguably the best part of having a drink—without feeling like it *had* to be alcoholic. I love to cap my day, especially as a work-from-home gal, with a cute little drink to signal that my workday has ended and my night can begin.

But, as someone who lives alone, I’m not keen to open a bottle of wine knowing I won’t have the whole thing and it’ll probably go to waste, and I’m not always in the mood to drink solo. Or even when at a friend’s dinner party, sometimes I want to feel like I’m a part of the culture of drinking without having to have an alcoholic beverage. Thankfully, there are so many canned NA beverages on the market to suit any mood. From wanting to feel toasty, to seeking relaxation, here are some of my favorite canned beverage moments that I’ll continue to sip on all year long.

Free AF 12-Pack — $44.00

Free AF is definitely interesting, as their lineup features notable classic cocktail flavors–”Apero” Spritz, Cuba Libre, and Cucumber Gin & Tonic to name a few—but their most definable trait is their ingredient that they call Afterglow. Afterglow is a botanical extract that mimics that cozy warm feeling you get when you’ve done a shot of whiskey/tequila (IYKYK), hoping that this canned beverage is perfect for people dipping their toes into not drinking, but don’t want to lose everything that can go along with feeling pleasant after a beverage.

TBH, my *least* favorite part of drinking is when I start to feel warm and then my face feels flushed and then I am self-conscious to the max. So, the Afterglow wasn’t a selling point for me. But, their Sparkling Rosé flavor was perfectly tart, not too sweet, and was truly what I wished more canned wine tasted like.

Health-Ade Kombucha 12-Pack — $40.00

Okay, so this is usually a bottle, but they do make canned versions. Kombucha is probably one of the OG beverages of Dry January—with its fizzy complexity and many flavor combos (like Pomegranate Blueberry, Lemon Ginger, and Blood Orange Carrot), Health-Ade not only a great non-alcoholic substitute, but it’s full of probiotics. So, why not give a double dose of goodness to yourself: No drying alcohol, and lots of gut health benefits. Your whole body will be happy you did. I sure was happy to pick up a can of this in lieu of anything alcoholic.

The only downside here is that some of the flavors are very powerful, so if you’re having it with a meal, or serving it as a mocktail at a dinner party, it may help to serve this over ice with some seltzer to make it even more cocktail-esque. Add a little herb or citrus garnish for flair too, if you’d like.

The NA Beverage Co. 12-Pack — $45.00

Vegan and gluten-free, the NA Beverage Co. touts a lineup of seltzers that have fun little bonus ingredients like L-theanine for relaxation and lion’s mane mushrooms for energy—aka nootropics—that provide drinkers a little extra oomph.

I do love a beverage with adaptogens (like chamomile and lavender, which can promote feelings of calm when used over time, and at the very least provide soothing scent and flavor). Let’s be real, I could do with a little more “chilling the eff out” in 2025, which their Lavender Blueberry flavor said it would provide. They also come in Yerba Mate Yuzu, Hibiscus Watermelon, and Ginger Pineapple flavors; the latter sounding excellent for a warm spring/summer day outside in the park or the beach. I enjoyed winding down with one of these after work, and since they weren’t overtly sweet, I could pair them nicely with a lot of my dinners.

Cann 12-Pack — $66.00

Spoiler: This is my favorite product of the bunch. Like I said above, your girl needs to chill and Cann—a THC-infused beverage company—is the exact thing to accomplish that. I’ve also always prefered edibles over smoking weed, though I know that this isn’t for everyone.

I got to try two products: their classic “Cann,” and their Roadie, which was a to-go squeeze pack that contains the same amount of THC (2mg) per serving as their other offerings, but you can add it to any beverage. Over the holidays, I tucked these little packs into my bag, and whether out at a bar, or at a friend’s soirée, when prompted for my next round, I was opting for a seltzer, and adding my Roadie of choice. I left every party feeling happy and hydrated. Plus, I have to say their flavor combinations are some of the best I’ve seen: Blood Orange Cardamom and Grapefruit Rosemary, just to name a few.

G Spot 12-Pack — $48.00

Forget the name, this canned sparkling beverage is *so* good it won’t matter that the cashier ringing you up keeps giving you sly glances. It’s 2025 and we’re having a good time; get with the program. G Spot was my runner up favorite of this group, and my go-to if I didn’t want a THC-laced beverage. It doesn’t hurt that it was founded by Gillian Anderson, who could sell me just about anything. (Have you SEEN her jumpsuit game on Sex Education? Outrageous.)

Four distinct flavors: Passionfruit & Habanero (Arouse), Red Berries & Sarawak (Lift), Ginger & Peppercorn (Protect), Scarlet Apple & Sage (Soothe), all lend themselves to the company’s motto of being “rooted in pleasure.” Whether you need a brain boost from cordyceps, immune system support from ginger and turmeric, or some pepper to spice things up, there’s probably a beverage in this lineup that will slot right into your Dry January. Maybe queue up an X-Files marathon while you’re at it.