There’s a social movement that’s caught our attention, and it’s changing the way many people think about alcohol. Have you ever heard of the term Sober Curious? It was coined by author Ruby Warrington in her 2018 book, “Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol.” This movement encourages people to reexamine their relationship with alcohol, not out of necessity but out of a desire for greater clarity, balance, and well-being.
The first thought that crossed our minds was that we have the perfect alternative. Tea lovers know that tea is much more than a beverage. It’s a ritual, one that invites presence, calm, and connection. Let’s explore how tea can gently step into the spotlight in social settings, replacing alcohol with intention and ease.
Teas to Unwind
Unwinding doesn’t have to come in a glass of wine or a cocktail. For those moments when the day feels heavy or your mind won’t settle, tea can offer a softer landing. Herbal blends like chamomile and hemp offer a calming, restorative ritual without the side effects. Tea can help the body relax naturally, making it an ideal companion for quiet evenings. It’s a different kind of nightcap, one that soothes without clouding.
- The Hemp Division – Founded by Michael and Paul Harney, The Hemp Division blends premium tea with calming CBD for a natural, alcohol-free way to unwind. Grown at the Harney & Sons estate in Millerton, NY, these hemp-infused teas offer a soothing, mood-lifting experience – no hangover required.
- Kava Root – Prepared from the roots of Piper methysticum, a plant native to islands in the South Pacific. This tea is a foundational pillar of the social fabric of these cultures, traditionally used for its naturally relaxing and social-enhancing qualities.
- Deep Sleep – Unwind and enjoy a deep sleep through botanical wellness with this unique blend of hemp, moringa, holy basil, bold turmeric, goji berries, and coconut.
- Chaga Ashwagandha – Wild-grown Canadian Chaga mushrooms are combined with the powerful adaptogens like Ashwagandha root to craft a new herbal infusion. The result is an earthy, toasty blend, perfect for a moment of self-care.
- Chamomile – We source the finest chamomile flowers from Egypt for an exceptional herbal tea with a light body. This blend is great for winding down after a long day.
- Vanilla Comoro – A decaffeinated version of our popular Vanilla Black tea. The aroma alone evokes the warm, nostalgic comfort of sugar cookies fresh from the oven. You can enjoy it late in the day and still get a good night’s sleep.
Teas To Keep You Busy
When drinking becomes the social default or something to do out of boredom, it can be helpful to swap the ritual, not just the beverage. Tea offers endless avenues of exploration: new flavors, brewing methods, cultural traditions, and experience. These teas aren’t just alternatives, they’ve invitations to slow down, experiment, and engage. If you’re looking to replace a habitual pour with something more intentional, here are some blends to keep your hands (and mind) delightfully busy.
- Oolong – A crossover between black tea and green tea, oolongs provide a great body and the most intense, varied aromas and flavors. Many oolongs are creamy, coating your mouth like fresh cream, while others are almost effervescent, practically fizzing like Champagne. Curious? Start with our Milky Oolong or Pomegranate Oolong and see what sips.
- Pu-Erh – Another intense flavor profile that’s become a most loved blend! This rich, savory tea hails from Yunnan, China. It is crafted in the shou (cooked) style and fermented before packaging for a deep, earthy flavor. A favorite of Brigitte Harney, it’s a bold brew with a devoted following.
- If you’re drawn to the smoky, roasted depth of Whiskey, Hojicha or Lapsang Souchong might just be your kind of tea. Hojicha offers a toasty, nutty warmth thanks to its roasted green tea stalks and twigs, while Lapsang Souchong brings bold campfire smokiness from its pinewood drying process. Both are rich, complex, and endlessly sippable.
- Matcha – If you’re drawn to the art of making a drink, take a moment to try matcha. From sifting the vibrant green powder to whisking it into a smooth, frothy bowl, preparing matcha is a grounding ritual in itself. For centuries, this tea-making process has been used to invite focus, presence, and intention. Add some steamed milk for a delicious latte.
Make a Mocktail
If you need a true swap, tea makes an excellent base for alcohol-free cocktails, offering the same complexity, flavor, and versatility you want in a drink minus the booze. Iced teas, especially, can be dressed up with fresh herbs, citrus, or sparkling water for a refreshing daytime sip. Our Fresh Brewed Iced Tea collection is the perfect place to explore mocktail options.
- Peach Tea – Enjoy the light, refreshing flavor of summer anytime with this simple sparkling tea mocktail.
- Kombucha – Kombucha mixes extremely well with iced tea, and it can add a fun, fizzy twist to tea-based mocktails. You can balance bold black teas with fruity kombucha for a fermented taste similar to a sour beer.
Mocktails don’t have to be cold. Hot teas offer a cozy, flavorful base for warm, booze-free sips that feel just as special. Ginger Lemon brings a zesty kick that’s ideal for a refreshing, tea-based twist on a classic Moscow Mule. Verveine (Lemon Verbena), with its bright, citrusy notes, pairs beautifully in a Green Tea Mockarita – light, herbal, and alcohol-free. For something cozy and comforting, Center, a calming herbal blend, is a natural fit for a non-alcoholic hot toddy. It has the cinnamon spice flavor you love combined with orange cloves and CBD hemp extract. Each offers its own way to elevate the moment.
Drink Inspired
Some teas are crafted with cocktail culture in mind. There are countless blends inspired by the bold, citrusy, or botanical notes that alcohol drinkers know and love. These teas offer a familiar flavor experience, making them perfect swaps for your go-to pours. From smoky profiles reminiscent of dark spirits to bright, zesty blends that echo spritzes, these creations deliver the depth and satisfaction of a cocktail in a whole new way.
- New England Teamaker Hops – A friend of ours makes these teamaker hops. Turns out that this particular type of hops is not bitter like the ones used in an IPA. If you want a unique and bracing brew, give it a try.
- Bee’s Knees – Our 2020 Blend Contest winner, this tea is a play on the 1920s gin cocktail. So, of course, we had to make a non-alcoholic version of this drink featuring the blend. It's sure to arouse the senses with its beautiful botanical aroma and silky smooth and sweet taste.
- Black Cask Bourbon – We set out to combine the full body and intense aromas of black tea with the rich flavors of finely aged bourbon. The result is both simple and striking: warm bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel, and smoky oak cask beautifully layered over a bold, smoky black tea base. Great for sipping slow and steady, as a bourbon should be.
- Raspberry Mojito – The winner of our 2019 Blend Contest, this tea offers a refreshing, caffeine-free drink full of bright, fruity notes. It’s a unique and delicious blend of raspberry, hibiscus, sweet apple, lime, and mint.
- Japanese Whisky – Made with a rare tea that comes from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It’s made using the same cultivar as most Senchas but is finished with an 8-hour smoking over wood chips made from Japanese whiskey barrels. We swap regular whisky for this tea to create a lovely Apple Whisky Mocktini.
Whether replacing the evening glass of wine or bringing intention to social gatherings, tea offers a gentler, more grounding way to unwind. For those exploring a sober curious path, we believe tea can be both a replacement and a revelation.