There’s a cultural shift happening around how and why we drink. More Americans are saying “no thanks” to alcohol, not just for Dry January, but year-round. Whether it's about dodging the dreaded hangxiety, improving mental clarity, or just staying more present, the rise of sober curiosity and mindful drinking has turned personal wellness into a full-blown movement.

And right at the center of it all? Mocktails. But this new wave of booze-free beverages goes beyond club soda and lime.

You’ve probably seen bottles and cans labeled as “social tonics,” “functional elixirs,” or “alcohol alternatives” on shelves next to wine and beer. But behind the sleek packaging and clever names, not all mocktails are made equal. Some lean on nootropics and mood boosters, some keep things natural, and others pack in more sugar than a regular soda.

We took a look at a few brands making noise in the non-alc space and why Good Wolf is proudly doing its own thing.

For Bitter For Worse: Booze-Free, Bittersweet, and Botanical

For Bitter For Worse makes bold, complex non-alcoholic cocktails inspired by traditional aperitifs. Their drinks (like Eva’s Spritz and Smoky No. 56) are built for sipping deeply flavored, slightly bitter, and meant to mimic the ritual of drinking.

Pros

• Local! Made in Portland by our good friends Shelley and Jeff.
• Alcohol-free aperitif (≤0.5 % ABV) that delivers the complexity of a true spritz with botanicals like gentian, dandelion, hibiscus, rhubarb, and orange
• Low in sugar (~5 g per 4 oz serving, ~8 g per 6.3 oz can) and low in calories (25 cal per 4 oz; 39 cal per can)
• Vegan, gluten‑free, preservative‑free, and crafted with organic ingredients, a mindful drink
• Recognized in taste tests and editorials — for instance, ranked among top canned non‑alcoholic spritzes

Cons

• Contains trace alcohol (<0.5 %), which may concern strictly alcohol‑free seekers or those avoiding it during pregnancy
• Unique flavor profile leans earthy and bitter - some find the gentian notes overpowering.
• Slightly higher calories than water or zero‑cal fizzy NA options (25–40 cal per serving) — still low, but worth noting

Hiyo: The Social Tonic with a Functional Twist 

Hiyo markets itself as a “better-than-booze” beverage designed to boost your mood with ingredients like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and L-theanine. It's bubbly, lightly fruity, and aims to give you a sense of calm without the hangover.

Pros

• Alcohol‑free (0.0 % ABV) sparkling tonic with lively blackberry and zesty lemon notes—great for those wanting complexity without alcohol
• Low in sugar (5 g total, 3 g added sugars) and low in calories (~30 cal per can)
• Packed with organic adaptogens and nootropics—ashwagandha, L‑theanine, lion’s mane, passionflower, ginger, turmeric—to support stress relief, mood, and focus (“the float”)
• Certified USDA Organic, vegan, gluten‑free, preservative‑free

Cons

• Modest carbonation might disappoint those craving a fizzy, soda‑like experience
  Functional ingredients could affect your brain/mood. Something to look out for.
• Tastes can be a bit acquired as well.
• Contains ~1 g dietary fiber and added sugar, so not suitable for zero‑sugar diets, though still low overall
  

Mingle Mocktails: Fruity, festive, and made for the moment.

Mingle creates ready-to-drink mocktails designed for celebrations, brunches, and all things bubbly. Their Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini is lightly sparkling and full of fruity flavor—without the alcohol.

Pros

• 0.0 % ABV sparkling mocktail that feels celebratory and elegant—perfect for brunches, showers, or evening sips without alcohol
• Low calorie & sugar: only ~20 calories and 5 g sugar per 4 oz serving (≈60 cal, 12 g sugar per full 12 oz can)
• Clean ingredients: carbonated water, organic cane sugar, blackberry concentrate, hibiscus extract—vegan and gluten-free
• Strong customer reception: rated ~4.8–4.9★ from dozens of reviews; many call it “delicious,” “not too sweet,” and suitable for mixing

Cons

• Light carbonation: may feel less fizzy than typical cocktails; described as “low fizz,” more of a gentle sparkle than bold bubbles
• Doesn’t strongly mimic a traditional Bellini: Drinkhacker rated it C+, noting it’s neither fruity-sweet enough nor sufficiently dry/effervescent for cocktail fans.
• Full-can sugar content: ~12 g added sugar per 12 oz can—more sugar than carbonated water, though still modest for a treat .
• Flavor subtlety may miss some: those expecting a bold fruity punch or intense floral notes may find it understated, better suited as a mixer than standalone.

Why Good Wolf Is In a League of Its Own

Here’s the truth: most mocktails are trying to mimic alcohol. Good Wolf? We’re not here for that. Good Wolf wasn’t made to replace anything, it’s here to change the game.

Good Wolf is a probiotic soda that benefits your body. Each can is a fizzy, flavorful gut-health win that skips the gimmicks, dodges the sugar bombs, and delivers the kind of daily wellness most mocktails can’t touch.

Here’s what we’re bringing to the party:

• Smoother than kombucha
• Only 6g sugar from fruit
• Hand Crafted in Portland, OR.
  

And unlike the others, we’re not pretending to be a cocktail or chasing a fake buzz. Good Wolf is the drink you reach for when you want to feel good and do good for your body, your brain, and your belly.

It’s functional. It’s flavor-forward.

And it’s proudly doing its own thing.

The mocktail aisle is booming, and we’re here for it. Whether you’re exploring functional drinks like Hiyo, craft-style sips from For Bitter For Worse, or the brunch-ready sparkle of Mingle, there’s no shortage of options. But if you're looking for something that’s truly refreshing and supports your gut health?

Grab a Good Wolf.

Your belly (and taste buds) will thank you.

References:

1. How Functional Mocktails Are Changing the Nonalcoholic Landscape
2. ‘Mindful drinking’ and non-alcoholic mocktails growing in popularity among wellness-focused Americans
   
3. Hangxiety and Mocktails: A Social Shift in Drinking Culture
4. The Sober Curious Movement: 49% of Americans Trying to Drink Less Alcohol
   
5. Mocktails & More: Benefits & Risks with Alcohol Alternatives
6. The Trending Mocktails in 2025: A Deep Dive into Non-Alcoholic Innovation