The 7 Best Coffee Alternatives for Energy

Many of us can't imagine a day without coffee. What would we do without that cup of energy that helps us focus and get things done? On the one hand, the right amount of coffee is good for us. On the other hand, caffeine is considered a potentially addictive drug. Consider the coffee alternatives for energy below if you want to cut back on caffeine or stop drinking it altogether.  

Why Coffee Alternatives Are Good for You

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, coffee can help protect us from numerous health concerns. However, individuals who struggle with anxiety and sleep problems should reduce or avoid caffeine. As you consider coffee alternatives for energy, look for ingredients with little to no caffeine and plenty of nutritional value to improve your overall health outcomes. 

You also want a variety of hot and cold energy-supporting drinks to suit your taste and needs. Here are seven alternatives to coffee that are easy to find, cheap, and simple to add to your diet.

Top 7 Best Coffee Alternatives for Energy

Try these delicious coffee alternatives to manage your caffeine intake and improve your health today.

1. Matcha Tea 

Matcha is a type of green tea consumed as a fine powder rather than brewed tea leaves. It's a rich source of catechins, particularly EGCG, that can help protect the skin, boost antioxidant levels, and more. It also contains lower quantities of caffeine than coffee, depending on your brewing method.

Matcha tea is easy to prepare: dissolve one or two teaspoons of matcha powder in hot but not boiling water until it forms a light foam on top. Add honey or milk to taste and enjoy. 

2. Golden Milk 

Golden milk is a rich, delicious, vibrant drink made with turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, whole milk, and honey. It's an all-natural, invigorating drink that contains no caffeine. Ingredients in golden milk deliver nutrients, like curcumin, calcium, vitamins, and antioxidants, that have anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties. Try a pre-made golden milk mix, or use the basic golden milk recipe below for the calming and recharging effects:

• Warm 1 cup of milk on low heat
• Stir in ½ teaspoon of turmeric, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon of ginger, and a pinch of black pepper
• Add honey to taste

3. Chicory Coffee 

Chicory coffee is a great alternative if you're looking for a near-coffee experience without caffeine. It's made from roasted, ground, and brewed chicory root. Chicory coffee tastes almost like regular coffee but has an earthy, nutty flavor.

Chicory root is a natural source of inulin, which aids digestion. You can brew chicory coffee in a French press or drip coffee maker and add spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, or cloves to taste. 

4. Kombucha 

Fermented beverages like kombucha offer various health benefits, from probiotics for your gut to immunity. Kombucha uses green and black tea, sugar, and scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) fermented over a week or two at room temperature. Kombucha contains minimal amounts of caffeine since the fermentation process breaks it down. It's one of the best coffee alternatives for energy if you enjoy iced drinks.

5. Yerba Mate Tea 

The Mate plant grows in South America, where its infusion, Yerba Mate, is a hot drink served in a gourd or cold over ice. Yerba Mate's popularity is steadily increasing as a coffee or tea alternative since it contains a similar amount of caffeine (80mg) per serving. Because of its potency, be sure that it’s safe for you to have caffeine before consuming.

6. Rooibos Tea 

Also known as red tea, Rooibos is a sweet and earthy herbal tea from South Africa. It contains no caffeine and low tannins compared to green or black tea. This means that it supports healthy liver function, particularly in absorbing iron. Rooibos also contains antioxidants that help overall wellness. 

Since Rooibos has a longer brewing time than other teas, steep it in boiling water for up to 10 minutes or simmer it gently for up to 30 minutes. Enjoy Rooibos tea hot with honey or iced with lemon and fresh mint. 

7. Greens Powder 

Lastly, you can take a super greens powder as a nutrient-packed alternative to coffee. The best greens powder comes from natural sources like broccoli, ginger, spirulina, leafy greens, and many more, like this review of Live it Up Super Greens. Add your super greens powder to your favorite smoothie, fruit juice, soup, or salad recipe to enjoy maximum benefits.

Green powders are excellent coffee alternatives for energy support because they have concentrated plant-based compounds that get into your bloodstream faster than eating raw fruits and vegetables. Be sure to check the ingredients to see if your green powder has caffeine by seeing if it has green tea extracts. Live it Up, for example, is fully caffeine-free. 

Final Thoughts 

With these coffee alternatives for energy support in your daily diet, you may have plenty of strength and focus without relying on a cup of Joe. Switching to matcha or Yerba Mate can help you transition away from coffee; then, eliminate coffee altogether with a greens powder, golden milk, or Rooibos tea. Try these methods if you need to reduce your caffeine intake for health reasons or want to kick the coffee habit altogether.

For those looking to reduce their caffeine intake, green supplements can be a revitalizing alternative. Products like Live it Up and Athletic Greens offer potential energy maintenance without the jitters associated with coffee. Dive into this Athletic Greens review to explore its potential as a morning pick-me-up.