What Makes a Mocktail Functional?
“Functional beverage” might be a term you’ve seen floating around — but what does it actually mean? And more specifically, what makes a mocktail functional?
In short: a functional beverage is a drink designed to offer benefits beyond basic nutrition — whether that’s energy, calm, focus, gut health, or hydration. Think of it as a drink with a purpose.
But not all “functional” drinks are created equal.
Let’s break it down.
First: What Is a Functional Beverage?
A functional beverage contains ingredients that actively support physical or mental well-being — things like:
-
Adaptogens (to help the body manage stress)
-
Nootropics (for focus and clarity)
-
Electrolytes (for hydration)
-
Probiotics (for gut health)
-
Vitamins or minerals
They’re drinks people reach for when they want more than just flavor or fizz. They want a feeling — energy, calm, balance — but without the crash, jitters, or even a hangover.
So, What Makes a Mocktail Functional?
Mocktails are usually alcohol-free alternatives to cocktails — but when you add functional ingredients, you get a new kind of beverage experience. One that doesn’t just replace alcohol, but actually supports how you want to feel throughout your day.
Today’s consumers expect more from their beverages — not just flavor, but real benefits they can feel. That’s where we come in.
Our Approach to Functional Mocktails
At The NA Beverage Company, we don’t just throw in trending ingredients and call it a day. We build our drinks with intention from the ground up.
Here's what makes us different:
1. Organic Tea Bases
Every drink starts with a foundation of organic brewed teas — like hibiscus, yerba mate, chamomile, or lavender. Tea isn’t just flavorful; it’s functional.
-
Yerba mate naturally contains caffeine and theobromine, which provide a clean, balanced energy boost without the crash of coffee.
-
Chamomile and lavender are time-tested botanicals known to support relaxation and reduce anxiety — perfect for calming the mind and body.
-
Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants that support cardiovascular health and help fight oxidative stress.
-
Ginger tea has long been used to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and support gut health.
2. Organic Fruit Juices
We use organic fruit juice blends (think pineapple, blueberry, yuzu, pomegranate) to bring natural flavor and sweetness to the drink — no added sugars, no fake flavors.
But these fruits do more than taste good — they’re functional, too:
-
Blueberry and pomegranate are loaded with antioxidants that support brain health and fight inflammation.
-
Pineapple juice contains bromelain, an enzyme that may aid digestion and reduce bloating.
-
Ginger juice is well-known for its digestive benefits and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Adaptogens + Nootropics That Work Together
Our “functional stack” uses adaptogenic and nootropic ingredients, like:
-
L-Theanine: for calm focus
-
Ashwagandha: for stress relief and balance
-
Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane, and Turkey Tail Mushrooms: supports brain function, immune health, gut health, and inflammation
-
Magnesium: for nervous system support and deeper rest
-
Probiotics + Prebiotics: for gut health
4. Guilt-Free: Low Calorie, Low Sugar, Clean Label
We keep it clean: no added sugar, low in calories, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. Most of our drinks are under 15 calories and have less than 3 grams of sugar per can.
Functional for Real Life
When we first started exploring what it would look like to create a mocktail, we noticed something right away: most of the options out there just… kind of sucked. Many were too niche — overly herbal or earthy, or designed specifically for a single use case, like nighttime relaxation. Others were packed with sugar or preservatives, or aimed to replicate a buzz using ingredients like THC or kava.
That’s not what we were looking for.
We wanted something we could actually drink every day at any time of day — something that tasted good, made us feel good, and fit into real life without giving us a head change.
Mocktails today fall on a wide spectrum. Some prioritize taste and presentation but offer little functional benefit. Others lean heavily into functionality but sacrifice drinkability with strong or unfamiliar flavor profiles. Functionality and drinkability often exist on separate axes.
At The NA Beverage Company, we aim to sit at the intersection of both. Our drinks are highly functional and highly drinkable — made with organic ingredients, low in calories and sugar, and crafted to support how you want to feel throughout the day. Whether you're looking for energy, calm, hydration, or gut support, our mocktails are designed to be enjoyed anytime, anywhere — no crash, no buzz, no guilt.
Meet the Lineup
Each drink is designed for a specific mood or moment:
Energy: Yerba Mate Tea + Yuzu
Boosts energy and clarity with yerba mate, 50mg of plant-based caffeine, l-theanine, and lion’s mane mushroom
Calm: Lavender Tea + Blueberry
Soothes your system with turkey tail mushroom, ashwagandha, magnesium, and l-theanine
Hydration: Hibiscus Tea + Watermelon
Refreshes with electrolytes from celtic sea salt, l-theanine, reishi mushroom, and organic watermelon juice.
Gut Health: Ginger Tea + Pineapple
Supports digestion with chaga mushroom, prebiotics, probiotics, magnesium, and ginger.
Curious which one fits your vibe? Explore the full lineup and find your functional go-to here.