Lift the mood with functional drinks

It used to be simple: your drink either had alcohol in it or it didn’t, but walk into a bar today and you’re just as likely to see CBD spritzes or lion’s mane-laced cocktails as a standard G&T. Welcome to the world of functional drinks.

According to KAM research, 76% of UK adults are actively moderating their alcohol intake, a behavioural change that is opening doors for functional drinks to flourish. Sales of functional beverages – drinks with wellness or mood-related ingredients – grew by over 30% in 2024 (according to Mintel and Kantar), outpacing traditional soft drinks.

In venues such as Club Soda’s Tasting Room, more than half of cocktail sales now come from mood-enhancing options. For bar menus, this isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s increasingly core.

The most popular types of added compounds are adaptogens, which help the body manage stress, and nootropics, which aim to enhance brain function. For adaptogens, think ashwagandha (a shrub), reishi mushroom and ginseng (a root), which are all aimed at restoring balance and promoting calm. Nootropics include cognitive enhancers such as lion’s mane (a mushroom), L-theanine (an amino acid found in green tea) and ginkgo biloba (a leaf), which are known to boost memory, focus and clarity.

To tap into this movement, venues could offer a ‘focus flight’ or a ‘mood boost’ menu section that clearly labels ingredients and effects. CBD works well in spritz-style serves or as a lengthener in cocktails – our Golden Horizon Cocktail combines Goodrays CBD Blood Orange & Grapefruit with Rebels Malt Blend, Giffard Ginger, homemade lemon cordial and aquafaba.

Venues can also build excitement with tasting boards, drinks flights or by simply marking drinks with effect icons (eg 🌿 calm, ⚡ focus, 😊 uplift) to help guide customers.

There’s no shortage of innovative, UK-based brands making functional drinks that are easy to introduce. Three Spirit offers complex, functional spirits (Livener, Social and Nightcap) that could be grouped into energising, sociable or digestif categories in cocktails, and Smiling Wolf creates alternatives for gin, rum, tequila, vodka and aperitivo and could be used in reimagined classics such as a G&T or Negroni with a wellness spin.

Goodrays provides CBD sodas in cans, which are great at festivals or can be used as a mixer in CBD highballs, while NuWave blends beer with mood enhancers and postbiotics (beneficial, gut-friendly compounds produced post-fermentation) that can be used on menus focused on gut health and modern beer alternatives.

With alcohol sales plateauing and functional alternatives growing, bars and brands are moving fast. Drinks that help you unwind, focus or elevate your mood aren’t just a fad – they’re the new normal.

Laura Willoughby is the founder of Club Soda