What’s the Best Non-Alcoholic Alternative to an Ice Cold Beer at the End of the Day?
The flavor of beer is rich and complex and I can’t think of anything to replace the experience of beer.
If it helps, I actually like fruity beer, something sweet but with still some bitterness and that complex flavor I can’t describe that most good beers have.
Why not a softdrink or a root beer? It’s just not the same, it’s like a different branch from beer.
30 minutes of high intensity cardio and a cold shower.
The idea to drink something to wind down comes from the effect of alcohol, trying to recreate the effect with non-alcoholic drinks won’t work.
300-500ml of beer will rehydrate you faster than 300-500ml of water.
Alcohol does have an effect, as everyone will attest, but there is also an effect to arriving home, cracking open a cold drink, and relaxing for a while. It may not work for all, of course.
I have a NA beer that tastes almost identical to its alcoholic brother, and there are definitely similar results from a single beer…
The good thing with the NA version is that I sleep better and can snap myself out of the relaxed state if needed. It also makes it possible to mix & match at social events, so that I don’t over-do it.
It’s the whole ritual that makes it so special. How about a tea ceremony?
Tea would be healthier but alas, I want something cold in hot weather!
Yep. I reserve specific sodas for those occasions, for exactly this reason. I’ve trained my lizard brain i relax as soon as that exact cola opening sound hits my ears. It’s silly, but it works.
For me it is seltzer. When it’s really cold and you’re thirsty, taking a gulp is like the same as drinking a really cold beer for the first few seconds.
A perfectly made Ocean Water from Sonic does it for me
deleted by creator
Sparkling water and shrub over ice
Strongly agree about iced tea and kombucha. Both can be bought or made at home, and are naturally complex, fruity, and diverse in flavor.
I think people suggesting very sugary drinks like coke are missing the point somewhat
I like a cold glass of homemade pineapple kombucha - family love it too.
I was gonna say kombucha as well, the experience of drinking it is kinda similar?
Ice-cold spiced coconut water. I like the kind with ginger, lime, and turmeric in.
You could try shrubs. Lots of fruity recipes out there, some herbal ones too
Honestly ginger beer is amazing for this.
Ginger beer, the spicier the better. Blenheim is the best I’ve found so far
Homemade ginger beer, fermented, is immeasurably much better than any commercially produced ginger beer. Is not quite non alcoholic but is not intoxicating. Easy to make too
Have you tried any non alcoholic beers? Some aren’t terrible but not sure if there are any that are fruity though.
This is just going to make you want a real beer even more, I’d wager. It’s like feeling really horny and playing “Just the Tip.”
not in my experience
Ngl I’ve had non-alcoholic beers that I could not distinguish from real ones.
(The same is not true for wine. Non-alcoholic wine is ass)
deleted by creator
I like to mix some fruit juice into seltzer. It’s nice to have something bubbly and it’s more refreshing than just drinking straight juice. Juice is too strong! I can’t do full strength!
A tiny bit of sugar free cordial is my go to, mainly as it gives it a hint of flavour without diluting the bubbles too much!
I’m drinking cranberry juice and seltzer rn
fruit smoothie
My family made homemade lemonade today while I was outside working all morning and it was delicious. It’s not a common occurrence, but it just hit the spot today.
