Nootropic Drinks

Nootropics drinks promise to optimize cognitive function, brain health, and energy levels, whilst also ring-fencing long term cognitive wellbeing – all with a convenient delivery method – by drinking.

Most high quality nootropic supplements come as capsules. Simply crack open a bottle, throw a couple of capsules back with your breakfast, and get on with things – it couldn’t be easier.

However, there is very much a place for a different manner of taking your supplement – the nootropic drink. The best nootropic drinks are a very good, very healthy alternative to the kinds of synthetic, unhealthy energy drinks that overload you with caffeine, taurine, and e-numbers.

Keep a decent nootropic drink in your bag for that mid-afternoon energy dip. Drink it instead of reaching for a strong coffee or can of synthetic energy. Feel your brain boosting with longer lasting energy than caffeine might offer, free from the spike and crash associated with it. Feel your cognitive health being tuned up whilst your clarity and focus return to you, no matter what you’ve had on that day.

But what makes a good nootropic drink? Which one should you go for?

I’ve had a look. It turns out there are some good ones out there. There are a handful of spectacular ones.

Our Top Nootropic Drinks

There are a number of products out there claiming to be nootropic drinks, and whilst some are brilliant, somewhat are not so great. I’ve selected 7 of the best nootropic drinks on the market and bring you my verdict on them after testing each and every one of them.

Kaged Mindset

Kaged Mindset is a brand new nootropic supplement from self declared ‘elite supplement’ company Kaged. To be fair to them, their supplements are top tier and so their entry in to the world of nootropic supplementation is very welcomed. You can read our full Kaged Mindset review here, but if you want the quick run down, here it is…

Available as both a caffeinated and non-caffeinated version, Mindset is the newest entrant on this list – but we have put it straight in at the top as it quite simply blew us away during testing.

With a key focus on long lasting clean brain energy, concentration, focus and memory – Mindset is fast acting and highly impactful at what it does. It’s well suited to gamers, professionals, writers, athletes and students – and contains plant based natural ingredients to deliver an instant hit of energy that in our testing led to higher levels of productivity and long lasting energy.

We have tested both versions and although the caffeinated version did deliver longer lasting energy, both made their impact felt within 30 minutes – not something that can be said for all nootropic drinks.

There are two different forms of caffeine in the stimulant version of Mindset – with caffeine from green coffee beans for that instant clean boost of energy, plus a slow release caffeine that helps prevent crashes and jitters.

With ingredients such as a trio of B vitamins, vitamin C, Choline, L-Tyrosine, L-Carnitine, Ginseng extract, Huperzine A and a strong mineral complex (plus a few extras), Kaged Mindset is in the top tier when it comes to nootropic drinks.

It comes as a powder that you simply mix with water to create a great tasting orange mango drink. You can mix it on demand or pre-mix if you need to take it on the go. This isn’t us just saying it tastes great either – it genuinely is a great tasting drink. Its fruity and natural tasting and mixes to a watery juice like consistency.

In our testing, the impact in terms of focus and energy was felt within 30 minutes. This lasted for around 4 hours with the caffeine version and around 2 hours with the non-caffeine version.

We’ve also managed to bag you a juicy 15% discount code which you can see below and this makes it even more cost effective and around the same cost as the second drink on our list.

TestoPrime Instant Energy

TestoPrime Instant Energy is a complete nootropic drink that includes many of the big hitting brain boosting ingredients we see in top tier nootropics.

As the name implies, it is designed to keep you energized and promises to give you laser focus, keep you motivated and on task, improve memory and recall and keep you calm and de-stressed.

That’s a pretty tall order but TestoPrime Instant Energy can do this thanks to a really impressive ingredient profile that includes L-Theanine, L-Taurine, L-Tyrosine, L-Choline, Ashwagandha, Vitamin C and an impressive Vitamin B complex. This is all topped off with Caffeine Anhydrous that gives you that instant but longer lasting energy boost. You also get a nice mix of vitamins and minerals too.

We need to be clear here, these really are the best of the best natural ingredients when it comes to nootropics and to see them in a nootropic drink is pretty unique – certainly no other drink we found comes close to matching this profile.

Whether you are a gamer, a high level executive, a student, a gym goer or all of them mixed in to one – you will find TestoPrime Instant Energy a really useful addition to your daily supplementation.

Here at SOMA Analytics, we know a thing or two about nootropics – and we haven’t seen one that is as fast acting as this before. Usually, we review supplements that are in pill form, and whilst they work incredibly well, none of them are as quick to take effect as this drink.

You won’t want to drink more than one sachet per day and you won’t want to go too heavy on the coffee drinking (or other caffeine intake) whilst using Instant Energy, but it is super easy to use (just mix with water) and you will start to feel the impact of it after just 20 minutes.

The positive impact keeps hitting after that though with most of the benefits being felt after about an hour.

The drink is currently only available as an Orange and Mango flavor, but this is no big issue as it tastes great and mixes really well.

Given the ingredient profile, as well as instant benefits to your cognition you should also see long term benefits from taking this daily.

It’s fully vegan friendly, is available to buy as a single order or on a money saving subscription and works out as little as $1.20 per sachet which is incredible value.

If you want convenience, a great tasting drink and an instant boost to your cognitive abilities then TestoPrime Instant Energy is for you.

GO BIG Nootropic Drink

GO BIG is designed to give you more than just an energy boost. It is meant to make those who take it daily feel far better all around. With this in mind, after exhaustive trials and recipe rewrites, the creators mixed the potent, smooth energy and nootropic benefits to be gained from guarana with super fruits and botanicals, with a little apple cider vinegar thrown in for good measure.

Thus, a fantastic energy and wellness shot was born.

Antioxidants are vital in maintaining long term health. They fight oxidative stress, protecting against damage from free radicals. Amongst other things, free radical damage plays a central role in the aging process and underpins the creation of cancer cells.

GO BIG also has a range of benefits attached to it, explained with anecdotal evidence. It can help to fight against depression and anxiety, and deliver neuro-protection, all of which makes sense, given the nootropic, energy boosting, antioxidant rich nature of guarana. It might also support healthy cardiovascular function, boost your libido, and aid in weight loss.

It’s a guarana supplement made into a nice drink, with a few added extras. What’s not to like?

Recess 

Happily, every can of Recess gives you a solid helping of some of the best natural nootropic ingredients going. It comes in two forms – Recess Mood and Recess Calm – and both give you the benefits anybody will want from a good nootropic supplement.

Ingredients include adaptogens like ginseng (one of my favorite supplements, period), passion flower, and lemon balm. These serve a variety of purposes, as adaptogens, but should all work together to improve cognitive health and function. You also get a load of CBD and other useful cannabinoids from hemp extracts, meaning plenty of long lasting stress relief and calm energy.

Finally, Recess includes l-theanine. L-theanine and l-tyrosine are amongst the best of the best when it comes to writing up a list of nootropic usual suspects. To see at least one included in a nootropic supplement is always reassuring.

I hate anything patented, anything using a proprietary blend, anything, in short, hidden. Transparency is vital in judging a supplement or food. For this reason, I love Recess. Not only are they honest and open about their formulas, they actively encourage you to dig around. They offer visitors access to all lab results surrounding the ingredients they use.

This is amazing.

If you want something that really will boost your cognition and brain health, that is also a delicious, refreshing drink sure to give you a bit of an energy boost, without delivering much sugar or many calories, Recess is a must-try. It’s not the cheapest by any stretch of the imagination, but I always encourage people to spend on quality where they can.

Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink 

It is aimed at replacing less healthy energy shots such as 5-Hour Energy and the like. Each shot is full with a host of common, high quality nootropic ingredients from which all of the Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink’s benefits spring. In fact, there are nine active ingredients, all told. These include two NAD boosters, three adaptogens, and one of my favorite nootropics, Alpha GPC.

It’s hard to find a better recipe than this with regards to quickly boosting your cognitive performance.

The Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink is made by Neurohacker. If you’re familiar with the world of nootropics, you’ll know how impressive this is. If not, suffice it to say that Neurohacker are big players. They are amongst the top, most trusted, highest quality nootropic manufacturers on today’s market.

Do beware the caffeine content, however. There is quite a lot in each dose of Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink. When I say shot, think espresso shot with some added extras. I personally like this. I like caffeine, I respond well to it, and it helps me to focus and work. However, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, or if you like to drink lots of coffee in addition to your nootropics, it may better to look elsewhere.

Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink is one of the few items on this list that uses synthetic ingredients. This isn’t an issue in itself, and definitely doesn’t undermine its efficacy. It’s just something you should know going in.

Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink is also a little pricey for what it is. I don’t think it’s overpriced. It’s a fantastic product made by a top-tier company, so it’s only right that it sets you back a pretty penny. However, less healthy, more ubiquitous products like 5-Hour Energy or even Red Bull will prove far more cost-effective – they will just ruin your health in the process, whilst Qualia Nootropic Energy Drink will help to improve it!

Brain Boost On The Go 

Whether or not this is true (and it seems a little inflated), they have an absolute peach of a product, here.

It isn’t the most profound or potent nootropic supplement on the market. Its ingredients list is kind of on the lighter side with regards its nootropic complement, with pretty much everything on this list overtaking it – perhaps even everything, though it can be a little hard to judge. However, it doesn’t stop at nootropics. There is plenty more included designed to support cognitive and mental health and wellbeing.

This includes a good dose of the nutrient folate, for example, which has been shown to lift mood and alleviate depression, as well as plenty of minerals and B vitamins shown to work similarly.

It also has 100mg of L-Theanine, which as I have already mentioned is a great addition to any nootropic.

If you want a decent nootropic drink, that is easy to use on the go, is caffeine and sugar free – then Brain Boost is a great option. If you want something a little more potent then you may want to choose one of our other options.

SpaceGoods Rainbow Dust 

Aside from its effects on your mood, it works as a potent nootropic by stimulating nerve growth, improving your memory, and boosting clarity and focus.

It’s a little big magic.

Ashwagandha plays into all of this nicely, supporting lion’s mane mushroom quite ably.

It is an ingredient used in several forms of traditional and alternative medicine. Advocates praise it for its abilities to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, calming the brain. Adaptogens ward the body against the effects of both mental and physical stress, and ashwagandha is a peerless adaptogen. It can fight stress on several fronts – it has been shown to be beneficial in treating several stress-related conditions.

It also lowers blood pressure and reduces swelling and inflammation.

There are a few more botanicals included in Rainbow Dust that make it an incredibly promising supplement. These include cordyceps mushroom, which has been shown to improve blood flow, stamina, and energy levels, and chaga mushroom, a powerful antioxidant and immune boosting ingredients. You get maca root and coffee extract for even more energy and stamina (and a bit of a libido kick) alongside a good vitamin B complex for optimal brain health and function.

All in all, it’s a great ingredient made by a company known for their excellent customer service and care. It’s a real contender – I like it an awful lot.

Nootropic Drinks Vs. Capsules

But why would you go for a nootropic drink rather than nootropic capsules?

Well, personally I wouldn’t… or, at least, I wouldn’t rely on them solely. I would always keep a stash of nootropic capsules at the ready. Typically, I go for NooCube or Mind Lab Pro, two of my favorite supplements, nootropic or not. Take these as the packaging suggests, generally in the morning or at the start of a busy stretch of hard cognitive work.

Capsules are also often far more portable. Rather than having a bottle of drink or a sachet of powder that you need to mix up, you have a couple of pills. Therefore, if you know you’ll need a top up, you can slip them into your bag or briefcase and use them as needed.

Capsules also often mix together a lot more nicely. Drinks and powders are not always very pleasant. You can’t really mix them up without ending up with a ghastly sludge, often with far too great a volume to drink in one. However, if you go with capsules, you can simply get a handful of all your different supplements and throw them back with a big gulp and a glass of water. They are tasteless and easy.

You’ll also generally find that capsules feature a delayed release. They don’t dump everything into your system all at once. Rather, they have to dissolve, then the contents are released, then your body can absorb them over time. This can be very useful if you’re wanting the effects to unspool slowly and last all day.

However, this isn’t always useful, and this is where drinks and powders can come into play. They are far more readily available, often more bioavailable. This is the point of a nootropic drink – it will give you an instant hit, instant relief. Down it and carry on with your day, with your brain immediately feeling the benefits.

Nootropic drinks are built for quick absorption and immediate results.

They are also often a lot more palatable. Though many of us prefer capsules, some people can’t stand them. They can be hard to swallow. They can be daunting. A nice tasting drink like Recess is far easier to work with.

Concentration is also a thing. Why do you not get whey protein capsules? Simply – you can’t get a usable amount of whey protein into something so small. It would be handy if you could, but you can’t. There is simply too much volume to be contained in a little gelatin bullet.

If you go for capsules, you will get a limited amount of product. Typically, you will need to take three or four of any given supplement to make it up to a useable, useful dosage. You don’t get this issue with drinks and powders. You can get everything you need into one bottle, gulp it down, and carry on.

There absolutely are benefits to using capsules. In general, I favor them. However, they are far from the only game in town. Drinks have their place, they have their uses, and they can be much better. What would you rather on a hot day – a couple of squishy little pills or a nice, refreshing bottle of peach ginger or coconut lime?

I’ll take the drink, thanks.

Nootropic Drinks Vs Energy Drinks Video

Verdict

I usually like to go on about how there is something in every list for everyone. This is generally true, as plenty of lists of products that look superficially similar can be made up of very different items.

That’s not so much the case here. Everything does broadly the same as everything else. You will get a drink, sometimes lovely tasting, that will give you a bit of a lift whilst supporting optimal cognitive function.

There are variations, of course. Some are caffeinated, others aren’t. They all rely on different ingredients to elicit their results. Some focus more heavily on micronutrients for long term health whilst others focus on ‘in the moment’ energy blasts.

Nevertheless, they are all still broadly similar. Differentiating them is therefore more an issue of quality and value for money than function.

For this reason, I can only pick Recess. Though it is pricey, it represents fantastic value for money. The ingredients list is formidable. The adaptogens included are first rate. The fact that it includes l-theanine makes it a very serious contender.

Plus, it tastes lovely. And in a list that is about drinks where capsules would do, flavoring is important. Recess is the only item on this list that I would drink for pleasure, regardless of the effects it brings.

You can’t get much better than that.