Do Kin Euphorics Actually Give You A Nonalcoholic Buzz?

This review is not sponsored and contains the author’s personal experience. The Good Trade was gifted this product. The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.

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Summary: After tasting and testing the entire Kin Euphorics line, I am happy to recommend them as an alcohol alternative, and despite the higher cost they’re actually easier to drink slowly than alcoholic drinks that are similar. (Plus, these flavors are way more complex). Kin makes unique non-alcoholic drinks that provide a natural boost or calm, without the hangover (but sometimes with caffeine or melatonin, respectively). While they’re a bit pricey and some mixers require prep, the flavors and functional benefits make them a standout alternative. Plus, their eco-friendly packaging is a thoughtful touch — cheers to that!

Pros

• Kin Euphorics drinks are delicious and genuinely enjoyable. The flavors are unique and refreshing, making them a great substitute for “traditional” alcoholic beverages. My favorite is the mimosa alternative, called Actual Sunshine.
• The functional ingredients add more to these bevvies than just great taste. They provide a natural boost or calming effect, depending on the variety, without the downsides of alcohol like hangovers or bloating.
• If you’re a fan, you can save more by purchasing larger quantities, and the subscribe and save option offers an additional 10% off!
• Also worth noting: Kin’s packaging is efficient, and the shipping is quick.

Cons

• Even with the subscribe and save and bulk discounts applied, Kin is going to cost you. At around $3.38 per can, these drinks are more expensive than your average 12-pack of craft beer, despite being less “crushable” than lighter beers so they’ll last you a bit longer. The cost might be a bit steep for some people (but compared to the cost of a hangover? I’m just putting that out there).
• While the canned drinks are convenient, the mixers require some preparation, which might not be ideal for everyone, especially those who prefer ready-to-drink options (like me).
• Some ingredients, like 5-HTP and GABA, might be unfamiliar to people, and it’s best to consult a doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing before consuming these drinks. Also note, half of Kin’s entire line contains caffeine, in case you have a sensitivity to it.

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For the past several years, I’ve been searching for effective (and delicious) ways to slow my roll on alcohol consumption. Ever since 2020, like many of us, I’ve been trying to figure out what I want my life to look like and whether — or not — it includes drinking.

That led me to test Athletic Brewing, Curious Elixirs, and other alcohol alternatives. While I found the flavors I liked, I was not finding the function that felt social or soothing (two of the functions I was most searching for). But there’s been one brand on my radar that I’ve wondered about since its founding in 2017 — and that’s Kin Euphorics.

Kin arrived on the wellness scene with an exciting twist on “traditional” alcoholic beverages. Co-founded by Jen Batchelor and Bella Hadid, Kin Euphorics set out to revolutionize how we think about social drinking.

“I tested the Full Kin Kit, which retails at $138 and includes four four-packs of their pre-mixed cans and the brand’s two mixable concentrates — if you’re not sure what you’re going to like, It’s a great place to start.”

The brand’s mission is all about creating “euphoric” experiences without the drawbacks (and well-known health consequences) of alcohol. Using a blend of adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals, Kin is designed to uplift your mood and enhance social connections with a natural buzz — without the hangover.

I mean, they had me at “euphoric.” So I decided to give their entire product line a test by trying the Full Kin Kit, which retails at $138 and includes four four-packs of their pre-mixed cans and the brand’s two mixable concentrates. I did the math and found this price to be not much of a savings, although you can only get packs starting at eight units of the cans outside of this bundle. If you’re not sure what you’re going to like, It’s a great place to start.

It all came packaged quite efficiently in cardboard, with very little plastic to speak of (as in, only used for the seals of the mixers), which I was glad to see. But the real test — do these drinks actually live up to their tasty and functional benefits? Here’s how each drink tasted, and how each bevvie made me feel afterwards. 😄

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Actual Sunshine

I’m going to go ahead and say it, while I did enjoy Kin’s entire range, Actual Sunshine is my very favorite. This functional, anti-inflammatory drink tastes just like a mimosa, but it’s made with pineapple juice instead of orange juice. The ginger gives it a champagne-like spice, and the turmeric adds a lovely color and weighty texture. This is the only Kin drink that *isn’t* vegan as a heads up, but I do love that it has collagen in it for an AM glowy skin boost. I felt nice and focused after drinking it, even though I had it right before my usual afternoon slump. (There are 33 mg of caffeine in Actual Sunshine, plus 7 grams of sugar). I want to host a brunch at my place just to be able to serve this drink!

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Kin Spritz

I didn’t have an aperol spritz until I was…well, I think it was like last year. Kin’s Spritz reminds me of that classic summer drink with its not too sweet, enjoyably bubbly presence. (You can definitely taste the licorice, but in a pleasant way.) This gently caffeinated refresher clocks in at 50 mg of caffeine and 6 grams of sugar, but doesn’t upset my stomach like coffee always does. I feel optimistic, energized, focused, and ready for whatever the rest of the day brings! Kin even says you can drink this before a workout to get some extra oomph, which I actually might try. Next time I’m spending an afternoon at a pool, I’m packing a Spritz or two. (Plus, the herbs, ginger, and orange bitters lend a bit of warmth to this drink so it’ll be quite cozy on a chilly afternoon, too.)

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Kin Bloom

I’ve never quite been a rosé girlie, but Bloom was so gentle on my stomach with its rich strawberry and grape base that I could imagine sipping this, preferably, instead. With Damiana, Schisandra, and L-Theanine, the function of this drink is to elevate the mood and enhance your joyful experience. I’ll admit that I didn’t quite feel this drink the same way I felt the previous two (mostly because I missed the caffeine, oh no!). But, the flavor and texture of an all-day rosé is there, making this a suitable swap-out for those Trader Joe’s canned sparkling wines that seem too good to be true (until the headache sets in). There are only 5 grams of sugar in this, and yet — wait for it — 6 grams of fiber!

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Lightwave

I’m about to sound like a seasoned wedding DJ, but it’s time to slow things down a bit with Kin’s calming Lightwave. Forever intrigued by Reishi mushrooms, I couldn’t wait to sip this beauty before bed. (Add in the combination of lavender and vanilla, and I officially grant this “sleepytime tea” status.) This drink has a bit of smoky spice to it, again thanks to the ginger — seriously is there anything ginger can’t do? — and it’s a little less sweet than the others. Thanks to the addition of L-Theanine and L-Tryptophan (the amino acid that’s commonly credited with the post-Thanksgiving turkey sleepiness), this drink did help my eyelids get a little heavier. Plus, there are also only 3 grams of sugar total, so that makes this one especially suited for winding down.

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High Rhode

Now entering into the mixers, I will say I’m not a fan of having to prepare drinks before consuming them. I’m more of a crack-it-open-and-enjoy type of person. High Rhode was a pleasant surprise! Kin recommends keeping it simple with this one, mixing it only with tonic water and lime juice. In my ever-frugal way, I opted out of getting a liter of tonic water I’d never finish, and chose to go with sparkling water instead (fewer sugars, too!). Next time I’ll adjust the ratios to allow for more lime and High Rhode to let the flavor shine through — at its full potency it reminds me of a cranberry vodka with more complex flavors. A sprig of rosemary would make this drink absolutely divine.

With 50 grams of caffeine in only 2 ounces of mixer, though, I will caution to not drink too many of these. You’ll be feeling great, but if you have a sensitivity to caffeine like I’ve recently developed, 2 or more of these drinks might have you feeling a bit anxious, even with the added GABA for stress relief. That being said, there are no sugars and it’ll stay that way if you opt for sparkling water over tonic water. This is a great early evening drink, especially in social situations — put it in a fancy cocktail glass, and no one will know you’re not drinking a cran-vodka. (Not that they should judge, anyway).

A heads up, High Rhode is best refrigerated after opening and drank within 14 days of opening.

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Dream Light

Hello, Christmas in a bottle. Kin’s Dream Light mixer really is dreamy, taking the Lightwave to a new level by including L-Tryptophan, Reishi, and also adding Melatonin for a sleepy one-two punch. I followed the instructions on the bottle to pour this over ice with oat milk and cinnamon — I knew even before pouring it that I wouldn’t love this version. Plant based milks and ice are a no-go for me, because of the strange texture that can emerge, not to mention the watery flavor. Absolutely no, thank you. However, I can see how this’d be tasty warmed up in a mug, and can imagine myself in checkered flannel pajamas sipping by a fireplace.

While I didn’t love the brand’s cold cocktail recommendation, I can see where this drink might shine most — the mixer itself is extremely tasty. Kin recommends pouring it over ice cream (!!) but I think it’d be equally delicious mixed with apple cider or alongside warm apple cobbler in the fall. Plus, there’s no sugar in this mixer, another win for the zero sugar crowd if you create the right concoction.

One more note — my Dream Light had a bit of sediment gathering at the lip of the bottle when I poured it, so I’d recommend giving it a little swirl or flip upside down a couple times to distribute that before pouring. This mixer is also best refrigerated after opening and drank within 14 days of opening.

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Overall, I’ve found Kin’s drinks to be both tasty and actually give me a little something more. While I prefer the variations with more potent additions, such as caffeine or melatonin, I can’t help but feel good about all the times I’ve opted for a Kin Euphoric instead of a bloatworthy beer. (Although, to be honest, I still don’t want to part ways with my craft cuties permanently — at least just yet). Basically, Kin’s drinks feel more celebratory than other alternatives I’ve tried that simply try to replicate flavors without the functional ingredients. 

“Kin’s drinks feel more celebratory than other alternatives I’ve tried that simply try to replicate flavors without the functional ingredients.”

If you’re not yet sure which of these drinks you’ll like most, my recommendation is to start with the Full Kin Kit. As I said above, it’s not going to save you lots of money, but it will give you information on what to start with. From there, you can purchase 8, 12, or 24 packs of the canned drinks and 1, 2, or 3 packs of the mixers for progressively lower per-unit prices the more you get. And if you’re really sold? You can opt to subscribe and save to take 10% more off your scheduled purchase. 

If you do have a good idea of which Kin Euphorics you’ll benefit most from, you can find them in boutique groceries like Erewhon, Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, Lassens, Sprouts, and even in some Targets. Head here to see all the locations near you.

“As someone who prefers to not have to mix anything, my favorites are the canned drinks for easy grab-and-go, but I still recommend the mixers to friends who are even the most casual of mixologists.”

With the canned drinks coming in at around $3.38 per 8-ounce can at the highest level of savings online, that does make these a more expensive per-unit product than your average 12-pack of craft beer. My line of thought, though, is that it’s much easier to knock back multiple beers than it is to get through these genuinely enjoyable and savorable drinks in a single night, which makes the cost much more appealing (plus the bonus — no cost of a headache or hangover the next day). 

Whether you’re going low- or no-alcohol, or just want a weeknight alternative, I recommend Kin Euphorics. Do note, though, that some of these have ingredients that are best to discuss with a doctor beforehand if you’re pregnant or nursing. Otherwise, as someone who prefers to not have to mix anything, my favorites are definitely the canned drinks for easy grab-and-go, but I still recommend the mixers to friends who are even the most casual of mixologists. It’s not difficult to craft tasty drinks that actually give you a little boost, or a little chill, depending on the mood.

Whatever you choose, and for whatever reason, I’m raising a glass of Actual Sunshine to cheer you on!

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Emily McGowan is the Editorial Director at The Good Trade. She studied Creative Writing and Business at Indiana University, and has over ten years of experience as a writer and editor in sustainability and lifestyle spaces. Since 2017, she’s been discovering and reviewing the top sustainable home, fashion, beauty, and wellness products so readers can make their most informed decisions. Her editorial work has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and BBC Worklife. You can usually find her in her colorful Los Angeles apartment journaling, playing with her two cats, or crafting. Say hi on Instagram or follow along with her Substack, Pinky Promise.

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