Best Mood-Boosting Drinks to Help You Bounce Back When You Feel Low
Ever have one of those days where you just feel off? You’re not particularly tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, but for some reason, your energy is low and you can’t find motivation to do anything.
Low moods can sneak up out of nowhere, dragging down your energy and turning simple tasks into a challenge. And sure, the usual go-to fixes like coffee or a sugary snack might give you a quick burst of energy, but we all know how that ends – with an even worse crash a few hours later.
Instead of grabbing a temporary pick-me-up, why not try something better?
Mood-boosting drinks are packed with nootropics, adaptogens, and other health-promoting ingredients that can help restore balance, lift your mood, and keep your energy steady.
These beverages offer a healthier alternative to caffeine and sugar-filled quick fixes to help you tackle a demanding workday or get a quick mental boost. Let’s explore the best mood-enhancing drinks and how they work.
What Are Mood-Boosting Drinks?
Mood-boosting drinks are beverages that can improve your mood, mental clarity, and sense of well-being.
Some of these drinks are specifically designed as alternatives to alcoholic beverages. You still get the calming effects you’re after, just without the hangover, dehydration, or fuzzy memory.
On the other hand, many mood energy drinks provide a natural pick-me-up to get you through the stresses of everyday life. They can help you battle an afternoon slump, focus on an important meeting, or overcome emotional stress.
Drinks that boost mood are often packed with feel-good ingredients such as:
Type |
Most common options |
Effects |
Nootropics |
L-theanine, Bacopa monnieri, Rhodiola rosea |
Improve focus and reduce stress without drowsiness. |
Adaptogens |
Ashwagandha, Holy basil, ginseng |
Help the body adapt to stress and maintain emotional balance. |
Herbal extracts |
Chamomile, lemon balm, lavender |
Promote relaxation and help reduce anxiety. |
How Does a Mood Enhancer Drink Work?
Mood-enhancing beverages combine functional ingredients that interact with the body’s systems to keep you balanced, focused, and ready for whatever life throws your way.
Adaptogens, like ashwagandha, help balance the levels of cortisol, which is a hormone our body makes when we’re under stress. As a result, it’s easier to stay calm and focused, even when you’re juggling a million things.
Then, you’ve got natural nootropics like L-theanine to interact with neurotransmitters that control your mood, focus, and motivation. Nootropic drinks clear your mind, improve concentration, and keep your energy levels in check. All without the jittery highs and lows you’d get from coffee or energy drinks.
Some mood-boosting beverages contain herbal extracts that calm an overexcited nervous system to help you relax while staying sharp. They are an excellent option for keeping you centered no matter how busy your day gets.
7 Best Mood-Boosting Drinks to Try
Number one: wine. Nah, just kidding. Wine is the last thing you need when trying to curb stress. Sure, it may give you a quick buzz, but alcohol is actually a depressant, which means that long-term, it can make you feel even worse.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of mood-boosting drinks that can lift your spirits without the negative side effects. Here are the best ones:
1. MTE
Most energy drinks give you a quick jolt and then leave you crashing harder than a sugar rush. But MTE (More Than Energy) is built differently.
MTE is a caffeine-free energy drink powder that’s packed with the best nootropics for mood, along with adaptogens and superfoods to help you power through your day feeling as good as you can.
The formulation combines 11 powerful ingredients, such as ashwagandha, L-theanine, and maca, that work together to promote mood, reduce stress, and sharpen focus while providing a flow of steady, calm energy (no jitters or crash).
The best part is that this energy drink alternative fits right into your routine without any hassle. It comes in easy-to-carry single-serve packets you can take at work, in the gym, at home, or on the go. You just rip one open, mix it with water, and bam – you have a mood-boosting, stress-busting drink ready to go.
Best of all, MTE doesn’t rely on caffeine or sugar, so you can sip it any time of day without having to worry about afternoon crashes or sleepless nights. Plus, there’s zero artificial ingredients or nasty additives.
2. Recess Mood
Recess is a sparkling water infused with hemp and adaptogens that are supposed to take the edge off without alcohol. Unlike alcohol, which gives you a short-term dopamine hit but messes up your dopaminergic system over time, these drinks support dopamine levels for a steady, calm feeling throughout the day.
The Recess Mood sparkling drink contains magnesium L-threonate that promotes cognition, L-theanine to support calm focus, and lemon balm to reduce anxiety. Together, these ingredients help you stay relaxed without having to bust out that bottle of pinot noir.
The company also offers Recess Mood powders that add passion flower and electrolytes to the mix for extra calming effects and hydration.
Interested in how Recess compares to MTE? Check out our in-depth comparison of these two adaptogen drinks.
3. Four Sigmatic Balance
When life’s got you feeling frazzled and burned out, Four Sigmatic Balance can help you hit the reset button. This powder combines eight powerful adaptogens, including functional mushrooms, Tulsi, ashwagandha, and eleuthero. The goal is to stabilize your stress levels and promote calm.
So, what’s so special about this coffee alternative that made it a must-have on our list?
The Balance mix helps you improve memory and mental clarity, which is perfect for those days when you feel stuck in a mental fog and can’t seem to get going.
Plus, it’s pretty versatile. You can mix it with water, blend it into your coffee or smoothie, or even sneak it into your pancake batter (because why not?). It’s a simple, hassle-free way to support a calm, focused brain throughout the day.
4. Magic Mind
Magic Mind is a productivity shot that promises to help you work smarter, not harder. The goal is to help busy people (think entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone with a packed schedule) improve focus and mental performance. In addition, it relieves stress.
Magic Mind combines the brain-boosting powers of nootropics and the stress-reducing potential of adaptogens to give you sustained energy.
One of the key players here is matcha, which gives you a natural caffeine kick but with the bonus of L-theanine to keep the jittery vibes away. Matcha alone is great for focus, but when you add Lion’s Mane mushrooms into the mix, you get even better mental clarity.
Oh, and the best part? It’s quick, portable, and fits perfectly into your morning routine or mid-day slump. You can drink it and get back on track with less stress and more brainpower.
Check out our MTE vs Magic Mind comparison to see how these wellness drinks stack against each other.
5. neuroBliss
neuroBliss is a stress-relief beverage that improves mood, promotes relaxation, and reduces anxiety. It combines potent ingredients like:
- Alpha GPC for overall brain health and memory
- Chamomile for its calming properties
- Vitamin D2 supports brain health and the immune system
The manufacturer claims that the drink can shift your brain’s oscillatory rhythm to alpha waves where your mind is calm yet focused.
In 15-30 minutes, you can feel the effects, which last for up to three hours. This makes neuroBliss perfect for those times when you need to get in the zone or want to wind down after a stressful day.
6. Hiyo
Hiyo is a sparkling tonic that’s supposed to unlock a stress-relieving, mood-boosting sensation that makes everything feel just a little lighter. They call this “the float.”
So, how does it work?
Inside each can, you have organic adaptogens to help your body chill out by regulating cortisol levels. It also contains the best nootropics for mood and botanicals that can help you stay sharp and relaxed.
So, you’re not just relaxing – you’re staying balanced, mentally clear, and handling the day’s pressures without feeling weighed down. Perfect for when you want a clear head and a calm mood, minus the downsides of alcohol or caffeine.
Want to learn more? Read our Hiyo vs MTE comparison.
7. MUD\WTR
MUD\WTR is a vegan coffee alternative created for those who want to cut back on caffeine but still need focus, energy, and wakefulness. It blends powerhouse ingredients like Lion’s Mane, chaga, and cinnamon with only a tiny bit of caffeine to help you stay alert without the energy crash or trouble falling asleep at night.
MUD\WTR also has the Rooibos Evening Blend that offers a way to unwind in the evening with a calming combination of nutty rooibos, floral chamomile, chai spices, and functional mushrooms.
This blend is perfect for those moments when stress gets a little too intense and you need to bring things back to balance. Ingredients like reishi mushrooms and ashwagandha help you lower stress and float into a calm space, whether you’re unwinding for bed or going through a particularly rough day.
When to Drink Mood-Boosting Beverages?
Mood-boosting beverages work anytime your body needs support. In the morning, nootropics help you wake up focused to set a calm and productive tone for the day.
In the afternoon, when stress and fatigue hit, adaptogens can fight them away and provide steady energy to keep you clear-headed.
In the evening, these mood-boosting drinks help you unwind thanks to ingredients that promote relaxation and stress relief (just make sure they are caffeine-free).
And when the day throws extra stress at you, adaptogens and nootropics can quickly restore balance to help you manage it all without relying on stimulants.
Boost Your Mood With MTE
In a world full of quick fixes, mood-boosting drinks can offer a more balanced approach to tackling those low-energy, off days. With the right mix of nootropics, adaptogens, and calming botanicals, these beverages help you stay calm, focused, and ready to handle whatever life throws your way.
Although all the beverages from this list offer something unique, MTE stands out as the best mood-enhancer drink thanks to its powerful blend of ingredients.
MTE’s adaptogens, nootropics, and superfoods work together to reduce stress, sharpen focus, and provide long-lasting energy without relying on caffeine.
Discover a better way to feel great. Try MTE to stay balanced and energized no matter how crazy your day gets.