A Non-Alcoholic Cocktail That Will "Wake You Up"

This version of the Espresso Martini offers not just a tasty drink but the ever elusive alcohol-free buzz.

Legend has it that Dick Bradsell created the Vodka Espresso for model Kate Moss, who wanted something that would both wake her up and f-ck her up. Did he know that this “speedball” combination—later dubbed the Espresso Martini—would become one of the most popular cocktails in America? Probably. Bradsell was a seasoned bartender and understood well that when people walk into a bar, they’re often looking to feel something.

As much as I want mindful drinking to be a gateway to discovery—and believe a good story can replace a shot of Tequila—I also know that sometimes the two go hand in hand. I want people to be mindful of their drinking, but I’m not oblivious to why they drink. That shot of tequila is often used as a signal to the brain that we’re free from work’s constraints, a release from its incessant cycle of anxiety, exhaustion, and stress.

Too much of a good thing, of course, becomes a bad thing—amplifying the very stress we’re trying to escape. But a well-timed jolt of alcohol? It serves a purpose for drinkers whether we like it or not. It tells the brain to shut up—we’re trying to have a good time.

Usually, we’re chasing a buzz—that feeling of warmth, relaxation, and euphoria—not necessarily trying to get f-cked up. Fortunately for mindful drinkers, that “buzz” now comes in many forms beyond alcohol. Functional beverages are everywhere, from non-alcoholic spirits to RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktails, offering a virtual apothecary of effects—whether you’re looking for energy, relaxation, or focus.

Five Non-Alcoholic Drinks for St. Paddy's Day (with musical accompaniment) ☘️