What to Drink Instead of Coffee? 10 Alternatives

If you're looking to cut down on coffee, give up altogether, or simply have a change of scene, there are plenty of other hot drink alternatives to tempt you away from the dark side and re-charge.

From caffeine-free yet coffee-like, and options like cafe d'orzo and mushroom coffee, to interesting health-boosting alternatives like golden milk or herbal teas, these are the drinks to take you out of your comfort zone the next time you come to order at your local cafe.

What to drink instead of coffee? Here are 10 alternatives

Chicory coffee

Chicory coffee, otherwise known as 'poor man's coffee' is a hot drink made from the roasted and ground root of the chicory plant. It tastes similar to coffee, but with an added earthy, nutty flavour, and can be used as a caffeine-free alternative, or mixed in with regular coffee to enhance its flavour.

Find out more about chicory coffee, including how to brew a cup.

Matcha

Matcha is green tea powder from Japan, which is more like green cocoa than classic tea. Its taste, high in vegetable notes, is slightly astringent and presents a sensation of tannins, as well as a slightly sweet side.

Find out all about matcha tea.

Yerba mate

This caffeine-rich herbal drink is imbued with ancient traditions and culture. It's an astringent drink with earthy tones that can take a little getting used to.

Find our more about yerba.

Golden milk

An immune-boosting beverage with a golden glow, thanks to the addition of turmeric. It's made with a cup of milk (dairy or plant based), 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder (or an inch of grated turmeric root), 1 teaspoon of honey or another natural sweetener such as maple syrup and 2-3 black peppercorns.

Discover how to make golden milk.

Lemon water

Lemon water is freshly-squeezed lemon juice combined with water, and may be consumed hot or cold, with additions such as lemon zest, honey, mint or spices like turmeric or cayenne pepper. It's said to have multiple benefits for health, including digestive health.

Chai 

A milky, sweet and aromatic tea that's widely enjoyed across India. It's extremely comforting and a great hot drink alternative made with strong black tea, milk and sugar. 

Kombucha

This fermented black or green tea drink, which originated in China over 2,000 years ago, sprung to fame a few years ago, where it became widely appreciated for its health benefits.

Discover all you need to know about kombucha.

Orzo coffee

Orzo, or barley coffee, is a serious contender as a caffeine-free coffee alternative. It's a grain beverage made from ground barley, usually made espresso-style, meaning it's found in most Italian bars for those looking to cut out caffeine. Interestingly, it was actually used as a coffee subsitute during World War Two in Europe, when coffee was pricey and hard to find.

Dandelion coffee

Dandelion coffee (or dandelion tea) is a tisane made from the root of the dandelion plant, which is acutally quite similar to coffee in appearance and taste.

Mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee is a delicate blend of ground mushrooms and coffee beans combined to brew a dark, smooth, and nutty drink, much like coffee. Mushroom coffee generally uses medicinal mushroom extracts rather than culinary mushrooms like shiitake and portobello, and comes under other names like lion’s mane, chaga, reishi or cordyceps.