A great non-alcoholic get-together starts with drinks that feel like an upgrade, not a substitute. Stock a mix of kratom seltzers, CBD beverages, and low-dose THC sodas so every guest has something interesting to sip. Our doyens have curated six picks below that work for hosts at any experience level.
The bar cart is changing. Search interest for non-alcoholic party drinks has been climbing year over year, and the data on alcohol-alternative beverages tells the same story: more hosts, more often, are putting something other than wine and beer in the cooler. Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, which makes it a good time to think about what you actually want to serve this summer.
This guide is built for the host who wants to throw a get-together that does not revolve around alcohol, whether that is a Memorial Day cookout, a Pride brunch, a backyard hang, or a dinner party where you want guests to remember the conversation. The picks below come from our doyens at all 55+ CBD Kratom locations, and every product is third-party tested for purity.
| ✓Stock a mix of categories. Kratom for social energy, CBD for an easy unwind, and low-dose THC for guests who want something a little more. |
| ✓Cans beat batched cocktails. Pre-mixed beverages keep serving sizes consistent and let guests pace themselves. |
| ✓Start low. Most kratom seltzers and THC sodas are designed for a half-can or single-serving start, then more if a guest wants it. |
| ✓The same lineup carries you through summer. Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and beyond. |
| ✓Our doyens can build a starter mix at any of our 55+ locations if you want a hand putting it together. |
Why the Sober-Curious Are Hosting Differently
The label most people are using for this shift is "sober-curious," and it covers a wide range. Some guests are not drinking at all. Some are cutting back. Some are just looking for something else in the cooler that does not stick out. The host who plans for all three is the host whose parties get remembered for the right reasons.
What has changed is the product. A few years ago, the non-alcoholic option at a summer party was a warm bottle of water and maybe a soda. Now the category includes kratom-infused seltzers, low-dose THC drinks, CBD beverages, and combinations of all three. The format is the same as what your guests already reach for, the experience is just different.
Set the Bar: The Centerpiece Sippers
These three are the headliners. They are what we recommend stocking first if you are building a non-alcoholic bar for the first time. Each one fills a different role at a gathering, and together they cover almost every guest preference.
If you can only buy one, our doyens almost always recommend starting with DER. The format is familiar (12oz can, looks like a craft brew), the experience is social, and the brand has a story your guests will want to ask about.
Mix the Cooler: THC and CBD Options
Round out the lineup with a few THC and CBD beverages. These bring something different to the mix, and they pair well with the kratom flagships above. All three are low-dose, designed for sipping over a long afternoon rather than one-and-done.
A note for hosts: THC beverages take effect over 30 minutes to two hours and can last three hours or more. That is different from kratom seltzers, which tend to come on faster. Talk your guests through the difference if anyone is new to it.
How to Host a Better Get-Together
A few practical tips from our doyens on running a non-alcoholic gathering that actually feels like a party:
- Have something for everyone. Even if you are not drinking, plan as if half your guests might be. A few six-packs of kratom seltzer, a few THC drinks, and a non-cannabis option (sparkling water, mocktail base) covers every preference.
- Cold beats warm. Get cans on ice an hour before guests arrive. Cans warmer than fridge temperature read as an afterthought, no matter what is in them.
- Label the cooler. A small chalkboard or sticky note next to each variety lets guests pick without asking. "Kratom seltzer, 75mg, half-can serving" is the kind of detail a curious guest appreciates.
- Tell the story when asked. The DER brewski exists because Nico Tortorella got sober and wanted a beverage that fit in. That kind of context turns a drink choice into a conversation. Same with the Margo Price seltzer.
- Pace yourself. Most kratom and THC drinks are designed for a half-can or single-can start. Start there, then more if you want it. Your guests will follow your lead.
Memorial Day to Labor Day and Beyond
The lineup above carries through the whole summer and into the rest of the year. Here is how the same six picks map to the occasions ahead:
- Memorial Day weekend (May 25 to 27): The opener. DER plus No. 539 Lemon plus a small selection of THC drinks. Stock more than you think you need. Hot weather plus social gatherings means cans go faster than expected.
- Pride Month (June): The Margo Price collab is a strong centerpiece here, along with the New Brew Guava. Both make for natural conversation pieces.
- Fourth of July: The Delta-9 THC Soda Lemon Lime pairs well with the classic cookout food. DER for the cooler crowd.
- Labor Day: The end-of-summer hang. Lean into New Brew and the kratom seltzers for the unwind angle.
- Football season and the holidays: DER is built for game day. The Golden Haze 3mg THC and CBD drinks scale into the colder months as evening sippers.
- New Year's Eve and Dry January: The whole lineup. Reach for the variety packs for the easiest stocking.
Browse our full kratom, CBD, and THC beverage selection online, or stop into one of our 55+ locations. Our doyens will help you build a starter mix based on the size of your gathering and your guests' experience level.
Shop Beverages Find a StoreFrequently Asked Questions
For adults 21 and over, kratom seltzers, low-dose THC sodas, and CBD beverages are popular alternatives that come in the same can or bottle format as a beer or hard seltzer. Brands like DER Kratom Brewski, Korthal's Collection, New Brew, and beeZbee are commonly chosen for hosting because they are pre-portioned and easy to share.
The general rule is start low and go slow. Most kratom seltzers are designed for a half-can or single-can serving. Most THC sodas at 3mg to 5mg per can are also designed for a single-can start. Wait an hour before deciding whether to have more, especially with THC beverages, which take longer to come on. Individual results may vary.
Yes. Many hosts stock both. Kratom and THC are different plants with different experiences, so guests can choose what fits. Keep them separated in the cooler and labeled so people know what they are picking up. Our doyens recommend not mixing them in the same glass for a first-time guest, since the experiences can be hard to compare side by side.
Kratom and hemp-derived CBD products are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, though state laws vary. The hemp-derived Delta-9 THC beverages CBD Kratom carries fall within the federal hemp framework. Always check your local regulations and ship-to address. Our doyens can confirm what we ship to your state.
A traditional alcohol hangover is caused by ethanol, which these beverages do not contain. That said, like caffeine or sugar, kratom may be habit-forming, and THC beverages can leave some users feeling groggy the next morning if consumed in larger amounts. Stick to lower serving sizes for the best next day.
For a four-hour gathering with mostly experienced guests, plan on two to three cans per person across the lineup. For a first-time crowd, plan on one to two cans per person and keep extra plain sparkling water on hand. Hot weather increases consumption.
Like caffeine and sugar, kratom may be habit-forming. Use kratom responsibly and only as directed. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Must be 21+.
