· By Cecilia Rios Murrieta
The best non-alcoholic drinks to unwind after work
The best non-alcoholic drinks to unwind after work are the ones that give you the ritual of a cocktail without the alcohol: something cold, something with flavor, something poured into a real glass. Add a functional ingredient like ashwagandha and the drink does a little more than taste good. Here are our favorites, and how to make any of them feel like the end of the day.
Why we reach for a drink after work
Most of the time, the after-work drink isn't about alcohol. It's about the signal. Shoes off, glass out, the workday is over. That ritual is worth keeping. What you put in the glass is up to you.
1. An adaptogenic mocktail
Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms traditionally used to help the body unwind and find its balance. The best known is ashwagandha. A drink built around it gives you the cocktail moment and a functional ingredient in the same glass.
Our pick, obviously: JAS® Paloma Libre. Grapefruit, lime, cardamom, cinnamon and anise, with 225mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha to help you unwind. 50 calories, caffeine-free, so it works at 6pm or 10pm. Want to know more about the ingredient? Read What is ashwagandha?
2. Something bitter, aperitivo style
In Italy and France, the early evening drink is often bitter on purpose. Bitter roots like gentian have been used for centuries in aperitifs and digestifs to help ease digestion before and after a meal. A splash of non-alcoholic bitter aperitif over ice with soda and an orange slice is a great habit to borrow.
For a lighter, brighter version, JAS® Mojito Fresco is made with gentian root and yerba mate, with only 2g of added sugar. More on the root in Gentian root: the bitter behind the digestif.
3. A non-alcoholic Paloma, made by hand
If you have five minutes and a grapefruit, you can make a beautiful non-alcoholic Paloma at home: fresh grapefruit juice, lime, a little agave, soda water and a salted rim. Our full recipe is in How to make a non-alcoholic Paloma.
4. Herbal tea, iced
Chamomile, lemon balm and lavender are classic evening teas. Brewed strong, chilled and poured over ice with a lemon peel, they make a surprisingly good aperitivo stand-in.
5. Sparkling water, dressed up
The simplest option still works. Sparkling water, a heavy squeeze of lime, a few dashes of non-alcoholic bitters and a sprig of mint. The bubbles and the bitterness do most of the work.
What to skip in the evening
- Lots of caffeine. Energy drinks and cold brew are great at 9am. At 7pm they work against you. Mojito Fresco has about 30mg from yerba mate, a light lift, but if you're winding down, reach for the caffeine-free Paloma.
- Very sweet mocktails. A lot of mocktails are juice and syrup. Look for real juice, low added sugar and some bitterness or spice to keep it tasting like a cocktail.
How to make it a ritual
- Use a real glass. A rocks glass or a coupe changes how the drink feels.
- Ice, always. One big cube if you have it.
- Garnish. A grapefruit wedge, a lime wheel, mint clapped between your palms.
- Same time, same place. The patio, the kitchen counter, the couch. The ritual is the point.
Shop JAS® non-alcoholic cocktails →
Frequently asked questions
What can I drink instead of wine after work?
A non-alcoholic cocktail with a functional ingredient, like an ashwagandha Paloma, gives you the same end-of-day ritual. Bitter aperitifs, iced herbal tea and dressed-up sparkling water are good options too.
What is the best mocktail to relax?
Look for an adaptogen such as ashwagandha, no caffeine, and low added sugar. JAS® Paloma Libre has 225mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha, no caffeine and 50 calories.
Do adaptogen drinks work right away?
Adaptogens are traditionally used regularly over time rather than for an instant effect. Most people enjoy them as part of a daily wind-down ritual.
Written by Cecilia Rios Murrieta, Co-Founder & CEO of JAS®.
Have a JAS® and be libre.
