To me, a functional drink has to be transparent about what is in it, why those ingredients are there, and how the whole product has been designed. It also needs to fit into a ritual people already understand and want to return to.
Wine works so well because it is not just a beverage. It is a ritual. If functional drinks are going to become part of people’s lives, they need to respect that.
Let's jump in:
- What is a functional drink?
- What are they made from?
- The benefits
- The ALTINA standard
- How to choose a functional drink
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is a functional drink?
A functional drink is usually described as a beverage made with ingredients chosen for a specific purpose. That might include amino acids, botanicals, tea extracts, minerals, adaptogens, nootropics, probiotics, prebiotics, vinegars or other active ingredients.
But I think that definition is incomplete. A functional drink is not just a drink with something added. A better definition is this:
A functional drink is designed around a specific intended experience, with ingredients chosen transparently and formulated to work within the flavour, texture and ritual of the drink.
Here is the framework I use when assessing whether a functional drink has been properly designed.
| A functional drink should have | What to check as a consumer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Named functional ingredients | Can you see the actual ingredient, not just “wellness blend” or “botanical complex”? | You should know what you are drinking and why it is there. |
| A clear reason for each ingredient | Does the brand explain why the ingredient was chosen? | Functional drinks should be transparent, not mysterious. Look for those that link to research rather than vague traditional uses. |
| A drink that tastes balanced | Is it too sweet, thin, bitter, medicinal, or artificial? | If it does not taste good, you will not keep reaching for it. |
| Claims that feel responsible | Is the brand educating you, or promising dramatic results? | Big promises are a red flag in a category built on trust. |
| A real drinking occasion | Can you imagine when you would drink it, such as 5pm, dinner, social occasions, or daytime refreshment? | A functional drink is only useful if it fits into your life. |
What are functional drinks made from?
Functional drinks may include amino acids, adaptogens, nootropics, botanicals, tea extracts, minerals, electrolytes, probiotics, prebiotics, fermented ingredients, plant extracts, acids or vinegars.
These ingredients are generally chosen for a specific role in the drinking experience. That role might relate to energy, focus, relaxation, hydration, digestion, mood, or another intended state or occasion.
Amino acids
Amino acids are building blocks of protein, and some are used in functional beverages for their specific properties.
One example is L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea leaves, particularly green tea. Research has explored L-theanine in relation to areas such as stress response, mood and cognition. Read more about L-theanine research here.
In the AVEC FlowState range, which was born from the idea of calm and clarity, L-theanine is the lead functional ingredient we chose.
Adaptogens
Adaptogens are plant derived ingredients traditionally associated with helping the body adapt to stress. Common examples include ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng and reishi mushroom.
They are popular in functional drinks, but they are also a good example of why transparency matters. Consumers should be able to understand which adaptogens have been used, why they were chosen, and how much is in the drink.
Nootropics
Nootropics are ingredients often associated with cognition, attention or mental performance. In drinks, this might include caffeine, L-theanine, certain plant extracts, or other compounds used in focus style beverages.
Botanicals and plant extracts
Botanicals can include herbs, flowers, roots, barks, spices and other plant based ingredients.
In functional drinks, botanicals are generally added with a traditional use, for example passionflower extract.
At ALTINA, botanicals are central to how we build flavour. They are part of the architecture of the drink. They can also help create a more adult drinking experience, which is particularly important for people who are coming from wine.
Tea extracts
Tea based ingredients, including green tea, black tea, matcha and yerba mate, can bring bitterness, depth, tannin like structure and aromatic complexity.
They can also carry naturally occurring compounds, depending on the ingredient and how it is used.
I like tea ingredients because they are familiar, but still complex. They help a drink feel grounded rather than sugary or soft. They also connect naturally to ritual, which matters because the experience has to be something people actually want to return to.
In FlowState Yuzu Spritz, green tea helps build depth and complexity alongside the brightness of Japanese yuzu.
Minerals and electrolytes
Minerals and electrolytes are common in hydration, recovery and performance style drinks. Examples include magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium.
These ingredients can have specific roles in formulation, and the brand should be clear about what is included and avoid overstating what the finished product does.
Probiotics, prebiotics and fermented ingredients
Some functional drinks are designed around gut health or digestion. These may include probiotics, prebiotics, fibre, fermented ingredients, kombucha style bases, kefir style cultures or vinegar based formulations.
If gut health is part of the product story, consumers should be able to understand what ingredient is doing the work, whether it is present in a meaningful way, and how the brand is talking about it.
Acids, vinegars and flavour structure
Acids and vinegars are sometimes included in functional drinks, but they also play an important role in flavour and structure.
This is especially relevant in non alcoholic wine alternatives, because acidity is one of the things that gives wine its shape. It creates lift, freshness, length and balance.
In FlowState Yuzu Spritz, we use an apple cider vinegar base.
That was an important choice because I wanted something cleaner, preservative free, and easier on my body. I also wanted a can format that still had structure. Apple cider vinegar gives the drink freshness, lift and grip. It helps create the kind of shape you would normally look for in wine, while giving Yuzu Spritz its own distinct expression.
Clean formulation is related, but different
A drink being alcohol free, low sugar, preservative free, free from artificial sweeteners, or free from juice concentrates does not automatically make it functional.
For many mindful drinkers, removing alcohol is only one part of the decision. They are also looking at sugar, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, juice concentrates and additives. They want to understand what is in the drink and how it will fit into their body and their life.
That matters to me personally, and it matters to a lot of our customers.
The benefits of functional beverages
The main benefit of functional beverages is choice. They give people more intentional alternatives to alcohol, soft drinks or plain sparkling water, while still offering flavour, ritual, and ingredient transparency.
I want to be careful with the word “benefits”, because functional drinks should not be treated like a shortcut to health.
In Australia and New Zealand, nutrition, health and related claims are regulated under FSANZ Standard 1.2.7, which sets requirements for how food and beverage brands can make nutrition content and health claims. So when I talk about the benefits of functional beverages, I am not talking about overpromising what a drink can do. I am talking about why people are seeking them out.
They bring more intention to mindful drinking
For many people, mindful drinking means choosing when to drink alcohol, when not to, and how they want to feel the next day. Non alcoholic wine, beer and spirits created a new kind of freedom. They gave people permission to participate in the ritual without automatically choosing alcohol.
Functional drinks take that one step further. They ask a different question: What is this drink designed for?
They can support a ritual people already value
The end of the workday. A glass while cooking. A drink with dinner. Something to hold at a party.
Wine understands that. That is why it has such a powerful place in people’s lives.
A good functional drink should not ask people to abandon that ritual. It should offer another way to participate in it.
They can create better choices
A functional drink gives people another option between alcohol, water, soft drink and standard non alcoholic alternatives.
For people who love wine, that option needs to feel considered. It needs structure, dryness, acidity, complexity and a reason to come back.
The problem with functional drink hype
The biggest frustration I have with the functional drinks category is the lack of transparency. There is a lot of vague language – adaptogenic, mood enhancing, calming.
That is why some people dismiss functional drinks as wellness marketing. And honestly, I understand why.
This AFR functional drinks article made this point clearly when it contrasted our approach with “fairy dusting”, the practice of adding trace quantities of ingredients for marketing purposes.
If a drink is built around function, the brand should be able to explain what is in it and why. That does not mean every product needs to become clinical or complicated. It still needs to be beautiful, enjoyable and easy to understand.
The ALTINA Standard: Designing function and flavour together
Function and flavour cannot be separate.
You cannot build a beautiful drink and then sprinkle function on top. You also cannot start with a list of functional ingredients and then try to cover up the taste.
When I was developing FlowState, I started with the ritual and feeling in mind. A slow evening after work. A sunny afternoon with good company. A pick me up during the day. We went through many iterations to ensure not just the flavour matched these occasions, but that the functionality matched the moment too.
Acidity, bitterness, aroma, mouthfeel, sweetness, body, finish and functional ingredients all have to work together. If they do not, the result either tastes compromised or feels like marketing.
Wine teaches you this. It is the relationship between acidity, tannin, aroma, texture and finish that makes wine satisfying.
For me, the goal is to make a drink people actually want to pour again.
How to choose a functional drink
Choose a functional drink by looking for named ingredients, clear formulation logic, responsible claims, good flavour structure, and a ritual fit. If the brand cannot explain why an ingredient is included, be cautious.
Here is the checklist I would use.
-
Can you name the functional ingredient?
Look for clear ingredient language. “Botanical blend” or “wellness blend” is not enough if the product is built around function.
-
Can you understand why it is there?
A functional ingredient should have a clear role in the product concept. It should not feel added for trend value.
-
Does the flavour structure hold up?
If you love wine, look for acidity, bitterness, aroma, mouthfeel and finish. Those are the things that make a drink satisfying enough to repeat.
-
Does it fit a real ritual?
Can you imagine pouring it at 5pm, with food, at a long lunch, or in a proper glass? If not, it may be interesting once, but hard to return to.
-
Are the claims responsible?
Be careful with products that promise too much. The most trustworthy functional drinks explain their ingredients clearly without overstating what the finished drink can do.
The ultimate functional non alcoholic wine experience: AVEC FlowState
The AVEC FlowState range brings together our expertise in non alcoholic wine, botanical blending and dry flavour structure with the added functionality of L-theanine.
This functionality is echoed in the name FlowState – designed to give you a sense of calm and flow, and helping you unwind at the end of the day.
As Nina H. wrote in her review:
“It definitely gives you a nice wind down feeling, and the best thing is you’re drinking it totally guilt free!”
FlowState Mango Spritzer is deliciously bright and refreshing. Designed to be uplifting and super easy to drink, we’ve layered mango over a crisp sparkling wine base. As Amanda writes, it’s:
“Just perfect. Grabbed a couple of bottles and now signing up for a case every month. Perfect mango balance and I feel great after a couple of glasses. This will definitely keep me away from alcohol spritzes and wine.”
Our FlowState Shiraz was made for pairing with food. Being more robust and offering depth and complexity, it’s perfect for 5pm wind-downs, cheese boards and meals. Russel G agrees:
“The AVEC Shiraz have filled that mid week 'kick-back with a red' perfectly with the added satisfaction of no sugar or alcohol.”
FlowState Yuzu Spritz comes in cans for a refreshing, anytime pick-me-up. In a slightly different style to our bottles, it is built on an apple cider vinegar base, layered with Japanese yuzu and green tea. Nicole S. recommends this as
“A lovely drink for any time, but especially long warm summer afternoons. Yuzu Spritz is a lovely, fresh, guilt-free alternative to white wine.”
How to incorporate functional drinks into your lifestyle
Functional drinks work best when they fit into a ritual you already understand.
Here are a few ways to think about them.
The end of day ritual
For many people, the 5pm glass of wine is not really about alcohol. It is about transition.
Closing the laptop. Starting dinner. Moving from output to presence.
A functional drink can give that moment a new shape. Pour it into a wine glass. Serve it cold. Give it the same respect you would give a traditional drink.
With food
If you love wine, you will probably want drinks that work with food.
Look for acidity, dryness, bitterness and structure. These are the things that help a drink hold its own at the table.
This is where non alcoholic wine alternatives and functional wine style drinks can be especially useful.
At social occasions
One of the best things about mindful drinking is being able to participate fully without feeling like you are explaining yourself.
A good functional drink should feel beautiful enough to bring to dinner, open with friends, or pour into proper glassware.
During the day
This is where a can format can make sense.
Sometimes you want something cold, sparkling and easy. But easy should not mean childish, sweet or throwaway.
FlowState Yuzu Spritz was created for that kind of moment. Something refreshing and convenient, but still considered.
Nicole S. described it as a fresh alternative to white wine for warm afternoons, while Jennifer M. said she was looking for something special on alcohol free days and had kept Yuzu Spritz on high rotation. That is what I want from this category: drinks that fit into real life, not just a trend report.
Conclusion
Functional drinking is personal.
Some people come to ALTINA because they want a wine alternative. Some are curious about FlowState. Some want something more grown up than sparkling water, but lighter than wine. Some are looking for low sugar or preservative free options.
The ALTINA Taster Collection is a good place to start if you want to understand the range without committing to one expression straight away. If you already know what you like, the Build Your Own Bundle gives you more control over the rituals and flavours you keep on hand.
For those who want the ritual to keep evolving, the ALTINA Wine Club is where we share new releases, seasonal drops and member first tastings.
FAQs
- Are functional drinks the same as non alcoholic drinks?
- No. A non alcoholic drink is defined by the absence of alcohol. A functional drink is defined by ingredients chosen for a specific role in the drinking experience.
- What ingredients are commonly used in functional drinks?
- Functional drinks may use amino acids, adaptogens, nootropics, botanicals, tea extracts, minerals, electrolytes, probiotics, prebiotics, acids, vinegars or plant extracts.
- Are functional drinks healthy?
- It depends on the formulation. Look for transparent ingredients, responsible claims, low sugar if that matters to you, and a drink you genuinely enjoy.
- How do I choose a functional drink?
- Look for named ingredients, clear formulation logic, flavour structure, responsible claims, and a ritual fit.
