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Don’t get me wrong, I love healthy coffee. I’m reaching an age where I have to stop drinking it by 2:00pm or I won’t sleep at night. If I want to enjoy a non-water beverage then I turn to the list below of healthy caffeine alternatives.

I’ve got both hot and cold options that will help you enjoy a tasty drink alone or with friends, without the effects of caffeine.

Hot Caffeine Alternatives

I’ve lovingly created every one of the drinks listed below over several years and use them all throughout the year. I love offering the warm almond milk steamer to my kids as an evening treat without chocolate, and I enjoy the pink moon milk as a way to destress in the afternoon.

Whether you want a creamy, latte-like experience or a fruity warming drink, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you!

Warm Almond Milk
4.9 from 8 votes
Try this delicious warm almond milk recipe to end your evening on a sweet note. My non-caffeinated, glucose regulating beverage helps you sleep well and start the next day on an energetic note.
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pink moon milk with culinary rose petals in 2 white mugs.
Pink Moon Milk
5 from 1 vote
Try this warm pink moon milk recipe to help you drift off into dreamland. I like to sip this at night to calm my mind and body before sleep.
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best turmeric tea recipe
How to Make Turmeric Tea
5 from 10 votes
The anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric are well known. Itโ€™s easy to consume enough each day in this simple-to-make tonic. Follow along with this step by step tutorial on how to make turmeric tea.
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Lavender Sleep Tea
4.9 from 39 votes
This calming, warm tea is just the thing to help unwind and relax after a long day. Chamomile tea is steeped directly in almond milk and lightly sweetened. Add dried lavender buds for an extra calming effect.
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2 glass mugs of crockpot apple cider on a tea towel surrounded by fresh ingredients.
Crockpot Apple Cider
5 from 3 votes
Nothing says cooler weather quite like crockpot apple cider. This version takes it to the next level with flavor. Using a slow cooker makes preparing this hot beverage easier than ever and the mulling cider makes your house smell fantastic.
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Golden Milk Latte
4.9 from 24 votes
Turmeric and ginger are super heros when it comes to fighting inflammation. They are also really good for warming up your insides on a cold night, which is when youโ€™ll find me sipping on this drink. Enjoy this Golden Milk Latte in the morning or evening (it's actually caffeine-free!) for some wholesome nourishment.
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best detox tea recipe for weight loss.
Best Detox Tea Recipe
4.9 from 25 votes
Start your day with the best detox tea for weight loss using lemon, ginger root and cayenne pepper to activate the digestive system, boost the metabolism and remove toxins gently.
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chilled caffeine alternatives including an adrenal cocktail, Italian soda, virgin sangria and strawberry lemonade.

Cold Caffeine Alternatives

When everyone else is reaching for a can of *insert preferred soda here* I like to lean on some caffeine-free refreshment. Caffeine can often make people jittery and can also affect blood sugar levels (even if the drink isn’t sugary!). Here are my go-to cold drinks:

Italian soda recipe
Italian Soda Recipe
5 from 7 votes
When you embrace a plant-powered life and try to avoid processed foods, sodas are one of the first things to go. My twist on a classic Italian soda recipe is a fabulous way to bring back โ€œsodaโ€ in a nutritious way. My kids still donโ€™t like carbonated beverages, but as they get older and their tastes change, I know what we will be making first!
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Non-Alcoholic Berry Sangria
4.9 from 7 votes
Dress up your next party not only with decor but also with this vibrant non-alcoholic Berry Sangria. It's full of fruit and flavor, and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
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2 glasses of adrenal cocktail in short glasses with stainless steel straws.
Adrenal Cocktail
5 from 2 votes
When you find your adrenal system working in over drive (rising blood pressure, increased heart rate, feelings of anxiety) drink my adrenal cocktail to naturally reset. This calming beverage uses plants to provide a vitamin C, potassium and sodium boost.
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glasses of homemade strawberry lemonade
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
5 from 5 votes
After you try this homemade strawberry lemonade, you won't want to every get store-bought again. It's made with super fresh, real ingredients and is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy.
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Ginger Switchel recipe
Ginger Switchel
5 from 3 votes
Blend up this refreshing ginger switchel recipe or hot flash drink to help cool off, naturally. Perfect for those pregnancy hot flashes, menopausal women or just a hot summer night.
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3 glass jars of fruit-infused water with ingredients like oranges, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, strawberries, blueberries and basil.
Fruit-Infused Water
4.8 from 10 votes
Up your water consumption with this simple, tasty detox water recipe that helps fight belly bloat and hydrate your body.
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Chia Fresca Drink
5 from 5 votes
Try this refreshing chia fresca drink if you’re spending a long time outside doing strenuous work. I like to pack it when I’m on a long trail run, doing a day in my garden or hiking the Grand Canyon.
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Healthy Caffeine Alternatives FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for coffee?

If you’d like a warm option, go for my warm almond milk. It’s got the creaminess of a fancy coffee beverage, without the caffeine spike. If you want to go the cold route, my chia Fresca will give you a natural energy bump without the slump after a few hours.

What can I drink instead of caffeine for energy?

Chia Fresca is a great pick-me-up when you need a good energy boost. For a warmer option, my detox tea recipe is a great way to start the day without caffeine. It wakes you up and gets your metabolism moving without any kind of mid-morning crash.

What is the best natural caffeine?

Natural caffeine comes in many forms: coffee (without all the fluffy extras), black or green tea, or cacao. Yet if you want a truly caffeine-free option, you can check out my list of healthy caffeine alternatives for delicious beverages to get you through your day.

How to Break Up with Caffeine

I realized my love of coffee was quickly turning into dependency as a young, working mom who was struggling to have energy by 3:00pm. I wanted to stop relying on caffeine yet didn’t want to just replace it with another dependency on sugar, etc. So I turned to a holistic nutritionist who helped me create a whole food, plant-based cleanse to truly help my body detox.

In the end, caffeine was no longer running my life, I was! I had so much natural energy I even picked up my love for running again. I now participate in some version of this cleanse at the start of each season to help reset my body and mind for the months ahead. I’d love for you to join me if you want to break free from caffeine (sugar, sluggishness, trouble with sleeping, low energy), too!

lemon tea with pinch of cayenne pepper in a mug surrounded by cilantro, lemons and ginger.

Naturally Energized Morning Routine

If you’re looking to ditch the morning caffeine fix and focus on healthy caffeine alternatives, then you need to focus on your morning routine. Here’s how I start my day caffeine-free:

  1. Don’t look at my phone upon waking, instead, I quietly set my intention for the day, then do some light stretching.
  2. Do start with the best detox tea to wake up my metabolism and give me a warming start.
  3. Don’t immediately turn on the TV or other electronic devices.
  4. Do try and step outside for some fresh air as soon as possible. For me, this happens when I take my dog for his morning walk. It helps wake both of us up.
  5. Do blend a green smoothie for nourishment and natural energy.

I find these five simple dos and don’ts really set me up for success in my day and honestly give me more energy than espresso does. Give this routine a try for a week and see how your body feels, you might just be surprised. Then leave a comment letting me know how you feel!

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Comments

  1. I’m really starting to notice caffeine withdrawal in the afternoon, so I’m inching closer to swapping my morning cup of comfort to something else. I love that you have so many fun recipes to try, hot AND cold. Many of my friends only do iced coffee, even in the morning! But, I love the warmer options for something cozy. The first one I want to try is the lavender tea. Do you recommend Matcha?

    1. Hey there Delany,

      Great question. Matcha green tea powder does have some health benefits and a more moderate amount of caffeine compared to coffee. It would be a great tool to decrease your dependency on caffeine over time. We have some recipes you could use to get you started: How to Make a Matcha Latte and this delicious Vanilla Matcha Smoothie. We have awesome seasonal cleanses too, to help you kick the caffeine habit and feel more energized than ever. Click here to check out our 2022 Autumn Cleanse. You’ve got this!

  2. The slow cooker apple cider is the best. Love that stuff this time of year! And it makes my house smell so good.

  3. Have had the warm spiced almond milk many times. I’ve found that I’m not always needing caffeine, but just something hot to drinkโ€”especially at night. I want to try some of the other drinks here!

  4. I love the Detox Tea in the morning – the lemon, ginger and cayenne really give me that burst of energy I need to get going. It really wakes me up. It can be a little rough on my stomach first thing (but so is coffee!), so I usually eat something while drinking it.

    And my fave before bed – the Spiced Almond Milk. Perfect way to relax and transition into winding down for the night. I have a hard time falling asleep most nights, so this really helps me.

  5. This pregnant mama thanks you for this post! I love warm drinks this time of year, but am trying to cut back on the caffeine. That warm almond milk reminds me of a steamer; can’t wait to try it!