Spicy Margarita

Heat is a decent substitute for alcohol's bite, which is why this lands better than most canned alcohol-free margaritas. Lime leads, a flicker of jalapeño follows, and orange blossom softens the whole thing on the way out. There's salt in the can too, so a salted rim becomes optional rather than essential. It all sits on carbonated water and natural flavors drawn from botanicals, sweetened with monk fruit juice concentrate that contains no erythritol and no sugar alcohols. Zero sugar, under 0.5% ABV. The functional piece is organic reishi extract at a minimum 70 percent beta glucan, which Little Saints includes for a calming effect rather than anything resembling a buzz. Serve it cold over ice with a lime wedge. For a mixed group the brand suggests what it calls zebra striping, alternating cans like this with full-strength drinks across an evening.