“What can vegans drink?” can be answered with “lots of options out there.” The word vegan typically refers to an individual who doesn’t eat or use animal products like meat, fish, dairy, or even honey.
A vegan diet is often considered plant-based. i.e., it consists mainly of foods that come from plants, including vegetables, fruits, and grains.
In essence, a vegan drink is a drink that is free of animal products. So, the answer to the above question, “What can vegans drink?” can be answered as “any drink that is free of animal products.” Vegans drink substances made from animal-free products.
Is it just water? Of course not! There are so many drink options for vegans, and we will explore those.
Some individuals go vegan for health or nutrition reasons, others because they are concerned about the climate and how meat production affects it. And yet others go vegan because they believe in animal welfare.
Whatever the reason people go vegan, know that there are many options for individuals on a vegan diet. Vegans can eat foods that are healthy and still delicious.
Oh yes! Many processed products today serve as vegan alternatives.
For example, we have vegan “butter” and vegan mayo (made without eggs) and non-dairy “milk” products (like almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk).
We also have some products that serve as “meat substitutes,” like tofu, tempeh, and seitan.
In the same vein, there are lots of vegan drinks out there. So, let’s talk about a walk around vegan’s spot as we answer the question, “What can vegans drink?”
1. Energy Drinks for Vegans
Energy drinks answer the question, ‘What can vegans drink?’ There are tons of energy drinks out there, and the good news is that some are certified vegan choices.
You could even get the real deal from among the popular ones you know. Grab an energy drink on days when you need to boost your energy.
Many energy drinks with many ingredients are available on the market.
Not all the ingredients are vegan, though. You should always check the components to ensure a great vegan fit.
Taurine is one of the most common ingredients in energy drinks that makes vegans wary. Taurine is a form of amino acid primarily found in meat, eggs, and fish.
Hold on! Here is the catch. The Taurine used in almost all energy drinks is synthetic, i.e., it is not derived from animals, which makes them suitable for vegans.
Examples of energy drinks that answer the questions “What do vegans drink?” are Guru Organic Energy Drink, Kombucha Wonder Drink, Red Bull, Monster Energy Zero Ultra, And Rockstar Pure Zero.
These are just some of the popular vegan energy drinks out there. There are others, too. Always check the label to be sure when in doubt.
2. Vegan Soft Drinks
Who said you must give up your sweet tooth for soft drinks because you want to go vegan? Well, you don’t have to because there are lots of soft drinks out there that are vegan-friendly, trendy soft drinks at that.
Some soft drinks for vegans are Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Pepsi Max, etc. When in doubt, check the label for ingredients.
Or better still, stick to product lines and brands you know don’t contain animal-based ingredients. Some of these drinks boldly specify their vegan status on their label.
3. Vegan Protein Drinks and Smoothies
‘What can vegans drink?’ Well, vegans can drink protein shakes and smoothies, too.
When it comes to proteins, there are so many plant-based proteins and great protein shakes that are vegan, too.
There are tons of Vegan protein powders easily accessible in the grocery store.
You can mix them with water or any non-dairy milk to make yourself an amazing vegan protein shake.
For smoothies, there are many options, too, so long as you avoid dairy products.
Plant-based foods like vegetables, beans, lentils, grains, nuts, and seeds contain proteins; any drink or smoothie made from these is an excellent vegan protein drink. Just make sure to check ingredients when in doubt.
Examples of protein shakes and smoothies are Protein Hemp (which comes from the seeds of the cannabis plant) Protein, Sacha Inchi (a star-shaped nut) protein, Pumpkin Seed Protein, Sunflower Seed Protein, Brown Rice Protein, Soy Protein, Chia Protein, and plant protein blends where different plant proteins are mixed and sold.
Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Green, Mango And Peach Smoothies, Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie,
4. Vegan Alcoholic Drinks
A vegan alcoholic beverage is one that answers the question, “What can vegans drink?” However, not all alcoholic drinks are vegan because sometimes animal products may be used during processing or as ingredients in the drink itself.
Nevertheless, most such beverages are vegan. The increasing rise of the vegan cult has made many wineries replace animal products with synthetic or other substitutes to come up with a wine that is 100% vegan.
Examples of vegan alcoholic beverages are Budweiser and Bud Light, Coors and Coors Light, Corona Extra and Corona Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Genuine Draft and Miller High Life, Heineken, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Guinness Draught, and Guinness Original X.
5. Vegan Sports Drinks
We have been exploring many drink options to answer the question, “What can vegans drink?” One other drink choice for vegans is sports drinks.
Sports drinks help athletes replace water, electrolytes, and energy after training or competition.
There are many vegan sports drink options. Examples are Oxygenerated Recovery, Ready Sports Drink, Electrolyte Blend, Guardian Athletic, Lyteline, NOOMA, Gatorade, G Organic, Rejoy, and lots more.
The good news is that some sports drinks stamp themselves as vegans so that you can make the right decision. As we have always said when in doubt, check the label.
You can always have a DIY home sports drink. The process is quite simple, and you don’t need much.
To make one, add salt (which serves as minerals) to your water (the water should be 1/2 of your container).
Add coconut water (1/4 of the container) to your mixture for electrolytes, and then add some fresh fruit juice(1/4 of the container).
Here, you have your vegan sports drink—totally homemade and purely vegan.
6. Vegan Cocktails
Who said a vegan couldn’t have fun with cocktails? There are tons of options for a vegan cocktail out there.
So, vegans take cocktails. Yes! A cocktail is one answer to the “What can vegans drink?” question we have been trying to answer.
Be it an alcohol-based cocktail or a non-alcoholic cocktail. There is a vegan variation.
Examples of vegan cocktails are rum-based mojitos, Vegan White Russians, G & Fizz Prosecco Cocktails, Blood Orange Margaritas, and Hibiscus Cherry Mocktails.
Lemon Drop, Passion Fruit Cocktail, Cucumber Gin Martini, and Fresh guava and watermelon mocktail are also examples.
There are other options, too. You could even make your cocktail at home. Ensure that the alcohol you use is vegan, as some alcoholic drinks contain animal products.
7. Vegan Hot Drinks
Nothing hits the taste buds and the body so well as a hot drink in the cold season.
Thank goodness! Three of the most popular hot drinks are vegan: hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.
Your choice of milk will determine if your hot drink will stay vegan. Good news! There are many plant-based milk options to liven your hot drinks.
Examples are multigrain milk, oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, and lots more. A vegan lifestyle isn’t boring.
No way! Still wondering, ‘What can vegans drink?’ There are many options to liven your day or complement your meal. Go ahead and explore your choice of vegan drink.
