Adaptogen Drinks: What Are They and Do They Work?
We all joke about chill pills, but what if they actually existed? And what if they weren’t pills you had to choke down, but drinks you could really sit back and enjoy?
That’s the whole premise behind adaptogenic drinks. While some of these drinks might be nothing but marketing and empty promises, others really can help you feel calmer and more focused. Read on to learn more about adaptogenic drinks and how they work.
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens, opens in a new tab are herbs and fungi that can help your body adapt to stressors and bring things back to baseline. These superplants aren’t the latest TikTok wellness fad, either. They’ve been used for centuries across Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine to support energy, stamina, and overall resilience.
Now, let’s be clear: adaptogens don’t cure stress, nor will they replace therapy, a nap, or a long walk outside. But there is some modern science backing up what ancient healers already knew — certain adaptogenic herbs, opens in a new tab can help support the body's stress response and even promote homeostasis (the fancy word for inner balance).
What Are Adaptogen Drinks?
There are so many different adaptogenic drinks on the market, but for the most part, they can all be grouped into five categories. Let’s talk about adaptogenic sodas, teas, mushroom coffees, non-alcoholic spirits, and kombuchas.
Sodas
Instead of caffeine overload and 40 grams of sugar, these bubbly beverages often feature calming herbs like holy basil (also called tulsi), lion’s mane, opens in a new tab, ashwagandha, or schisandra berry. Some even toss in nootropics or probiotics for good measure.
Kin Euphorics, Recess, and Hiyo are among the popular brands mixing herbs and carbonation. These drinks promise a subtle uplift or wind-down, depending on the formula, but without the caffeine crash.
While research on adaptogen sodas specifically is limited, the ingredients they feature, like ashwagandha and L-theanine, opens in a new tab, have been studied for potential benefits like stress regulation, opens in a new tab and cognitive clarity.
Teas
Historically, adaptogenic herbs were often consumed as decoctions or infusions. Reishi and chaga were boiled down into earthy, immune-supporting brews. Licorice root and tulsi were steeped in Ayurvedic medicine to calm the mind and soothe digestion.
Today’s adaptogen teas follow that same ritualistic vibe but with modern convenience like tea bags and ready-to-drink cans. While most adaptogen teas won’t deliver instant Zen, consistently using herbs like holy basil or lemon balm can help support healthy cortisol levels, opens in a new tab and help you fight off fatigue.
Mushroom Coffee+
When we say mushroom coffee, we don’t mean just any mushroom coffee — we’re talking about our Mushroom Coffee+. This isn’t your average cup of joe. It's a daily ritual that features a blend of lion’s mane, chaga, collagen, and L-theanine.
Traditional coffee can contain over 200 mg of caffeine per cup, which can spike cortisol and make you jittery. But our Mushroom Coffee+ provides only 45 mg of caffeine per serving, which is enough to help you wake up without sending you off the deep end.
Lion’s mane and chaga have been studied for their potential neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, while L-theanine (which is naturally found in green tea) supports focus and relaxation without knocking you out for the night. Plus, L-theanine can help counteract the negative side effects of caffeine.
Overall, this combo of ingredients can help support focus, relaxation, balanced mental health, memory recall, and mental clarity. Not too bad for something that tastes like a delicious cup of joe!
Non-Alcoholic Spirits
Non-alcoholic adaptogen cocktails — or "functional mocktails" if you're fancy — are crafted to mimic the ritual and complexity of a mixed drink, minus the booze. They won’t leave you texting your ex or ordering $80 of sushi at 1 a.m.
Brands like De Soi (co-founded by Katy Perry) and Curious Elixirs are the main options here. These drinks often feature calming adaptogens like ashwagandha or lemon balm, along with nootropics or mood-boosting botanicals. Some are bubbly, some are bitter, but all of them are designed to give you that social-sip feeling without the next-day regret.
Kombucha
Kombucha has long been the darling of the gut health crowd, but now it has even more value thanks to added adaptogens. Brands like Health-Ade and Rowdy Mermaid are infusing their kombuchas with ashwagandha, maca, and reishi to up the ante.
This twist means that kombucha provides both live probiotics and adaptogenic support for stress and stamina. Gut health and mental health are closely connected, and many adaptogens can also support immune and nervous system regulation.
How Do Adaptogen Drinks Work?
Adaptogens work by interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is your body’s command center for the stress response. When stress hits, your HPA axis fires up, releasing stress hormones like cortisol. Adaptogens can help regulate that response.
Some adaptogens, like lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms, have been shown in studies to support mental and physical resilience, opens in a new tab when used consistently. Others, like ashwagandha, can actually lower cortisol in the body. Still others, like L-theanine, can help you get a good night’s sleep, opens in a new tab, which can do wonders for your stress levels.
What Are the Benefits of Adaptogens?
Adaptogens aren’t magic, but they kind of seem like it when you experience the effects for yourself. What they can offer, according to growing research, is support for stress management, improved focus, and a little extra stamina to handle whatever chaos life tosses your way. Basically, adaptogens help you roll with the punches—without needing to punch back.
Are All Adaptogens Created Equal?
Not all adaptogens (or adaptogen drinks) are created with the same care, sourcing, or potency. The quality of the herb, how it’s extracted, and how much you’re actually getting in your drink matter.
Many adaptogen studies are based on specific doses of concentrated extracts, not the sprinkle of ashwagandha you find in a trendy can. Plus, sourcing matters. Wild-grown or lab-tested herbs can have significantly different levels of active compounds.
No matter what, make sure you look for brands that show third-party testing, clinical backing, or transparency about what’s inside. Remember that weird fillers and overhyped claims don’t belong in your cup, especially when they can’t be backed up with data.
The Bottom Line
Adaptogen drinks are a smarter, calmer, and tastier way to handle life’s stress curveballs. With ancient roots and modern science, they can help gently nudge you toward balance without the crash or chaos that comes with caffeine.
Whether you’re looking to chill out at the end of a long day or you need to dial down your nerves before a busy workday, adaptogens can help. Visit the Everyday Dose blog, opens in a new tab to learn more about adaptogens and how they can support your health!
Sources:
Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus | PMC, opens in a new tab
In Search of a Safe Natural Sleep Aid | PubMed, opens in a new tab
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