Pumpkin spice may get most of the attention once fall arrives, but hot lattes aren’t the only way to drink your way through the season. We tried a variety of beverages this fall, from seasonal energy drinks and alcohol-free social tonics to functional waters and even sparkling bone broth.
Some were distinctly autumnal, while others earned a spot because they’re simply good options to keep in the fridge as schedules get busier. Two in particular, Alani Nu’s fall collection and Hiyo’s Apple Cinnamon, were huge hits with us.
Here are the fall beverages we tried, liked, and think are worth checking out this season.
Alani Nu’s Fall Flavors Were One of Our Favorites
If you’re the type of person who starts looking for apple everything the moment September arrives, Alani Nu understood the assignment. The brand expanded its popular Witch’s Brew energy drink into an entire fall collection this year, and we loved it. Witch’s Brew returns with its familiar combination of tart green apple and sweet caramel, but the collection also introduces Ruby Apple and Voodoo Vanilla.
Ruby Apple takes the candy-apple idea in a slightly different direction with crisp red apple and a caramel finish. Both Ruby Apple and Witch’s Brew come in 12-ounce cans with 200 mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and 15 calories.
Voodoo Vanilla is something completely different. The brand’s first energy elixir comes in a smaller 8.4-ounce can and combines whipped cream and marshmallow flavors. It has 65 mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and just 5 calories. You can drink it straight or use it to add a little vanilla sweetness and extra caffeine to another beverage.
The seasonal flavors make these genuinely fun for fall rather than simply another energy drink with autumn-themed packaging. If you already love Alani Nu, this collection is an easy seasonal switch.
Our take: One of our favorite finds in this roundup. The apple and caramel flavors deliver the fall feeling without requiring a hot drink, and we’ll happily keep these stocked while they’re available. Good luck finding yours!
Hiyo Apple Cinnamon Might Be Our Favorite Fall Swap for a Cocktail
Hiyo’s limited-edition Apple Cinnamon Social Tonic was another major favorite during our testing. It’s especially appealing when you want the ritual of opening a special drink at the end of the day but don’t necessarily want alcohol. Apple Cinnamon combines a fresh apple flavor with cinnamon, giving it a distinctly fall feel without turning the drink into liquid apple pie.
Like Hiyo’s other social tonics, Apple Cinnamon is alcohol-free and contains the brand’s blend of adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals, including ashwagandha, L-theanine, lion’s mane, lemon balm, passion flower, and ginger. Each can has 30 calories and 0% ABV.
Hiyo describes the feeling produced by its botanical blend as “the float.” Individual experiences with functional ingredients can vary, but we didn’t need a promised effect to enjoy this one. The flavor itself made it something we’d reach for again.
Pour it into a pretty glass over ice, and it easily feels special enough for a fall evening, dinner with friends, or a night when everyone else is having cocktails.
Our take: We loved this one. Apple Cinnamon feels made for fall, and it’s an excellent option when you want something more interesting than sparkling water without reaching for alcohol.
Halfday Makes Iced Tea an Easy Fall Fridge Staple
Not every fall drink needs cinnamon, caramel, or pumpkin. Sometimes you just want something cold and refreshing, especially when those supposedly crisp autumn afternoons still feel suspiciously like summer.
Halfday offers a lighter take on bottled iced tea, with 6 grams of prebiotic fiber and just 3 to 5 grams of sugar per can. Depending on the flavor, each can contains approximately 35 to 40 calories.
The lineup includes Peach Iced Tea, Tropical Iced Tea, Classic Half & Half, and a Strawberry Half & Half that combines brewed tea, lemonade, and strawberry flavor. These aren’t trying to recreate a seasonal latte. Instead, they’re the kind of drinks that are easy to grab from the refrigerator with lunch or during a busy afternoon.
Our take: Halfday is a good choice for iced-tea drinkers who want something flavorful without the heavy sweetness found in many bottled teas. Strawberry Half & Half is especially fun if you like a fruitier sip.
Yesly Brings Electrolytes Beyond the Gym
Yesly is built around the idea that electrolyte drinks don’t have to be reserved for workouts. Created by Essentia Water founders Ken Uptain and Scott Miller, Yesly comes in two varieties: Functional Water for everyday hydration and Functional Energy when you also want a caffeine boost.
Both lines contain electrolytes along with vitamins B6, B12, and C and have zero sugar, with no artificial sweeteners or dyes. The electrolyte profile emphasizes magnesium and potassium while using less sodium than many traditional sports drinks.
Functional Energy adds 114 mg of naturally derived caffeine from green tea, putting it roughly in coffee territory without actually requiring another cup of coffee.
Our take: This is less about embracing pumpkin-spice season and more about surviving everything that comes with it. We liked having a flavorful hydration option that didn’t feel as if it belonged exclusively in a gym bag.
Marrō Puts Bone Broth in a Surprisingly Different Package
This was easily the most unusual beverage we tried. Marrō bills itself as a cold, sparkling, ready-to-drink bone broth, which is probably enough to make you either immediately curious or deeply skeptical. But that’s exactly why it belongs in a roundup like this.
Available in Blueberry Lemonade, Blackberry Lime, and Peach Mango, marrō takes something normally associated with a warm mug or bowl and turns it into a portable functional beverage. Each can contains 12 grams of protein, zero grams of sugar, and approximately 60 to 70 calories.
The drinks are also dairy-free, gluten-free, keto, paleo, and non-GMO. Bone broth naturally provides amino acids and collagen, while marrō also contains electrolytes and vitamin B12.
It’s an intriguing option for someone looking to add more protein to the day without another shake or bar, and the grab-and-go format makes it considerably easier than preparing traditional bone broth.
Our take: Definitely the wild card of our beverage testing. If you’ve wished there were a more convenient way to drink bone broth, marrō has created one we certainly hadn’t seen before.
PATH Water Is the Practical Pick You’ll Keep Reusing
Sometimes the beverage isn’t really the story. The bottle is. PATH packages its water in reusable aluminum bottles designed to be refilled instead of immediately tossed in the recycling bin. They’re BPA-free, made in the USA, and available with still, sparkling, alkaline, and flavored water options.
The bottles can also be paired with reusable accessories such as swing caps and protective sleeves.
For fall entertaining, the sparkling varieties can work as a simple base for mocktails or cocktails. Once the original water is gone, you still have a lightweight refillable bottle that can go to work, school, the gym, or wherever the day takes you.
Our take: PATH is one of the most practical choices on this list. You’re getting water now and a reusable bottle for later, which makes it especially handy for busy households.
What We’re Drinking This Fall
After trying everything, Alani Nu and Hiyo were the two standouts we found ourselves most excited about.
Alani Nu nails the playful side of fall with apple, caramel, and vanilla flavors that actually make an energy drink feel seasonal. Hiyo’s Apple Cinnamon takes a different approach, creating an alcohol-free drink that feels perfectly suited to a crisp evening on the patio or a cozy night at home.
But there isn’t just one kind of fall beverage. Halfday gives iced-tea fans an easy refrigerator staple, Yesly brings functional hydration into everyday life, marrō completely rethinks bone broth, and PATH offers a practical approach to staying hydrated with packaging you can continue using.
Because as much as we love a good pumpkin spice latte, sometimes fall calls for something cold, fizzy, fruity, or just a little unexpected.
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