Mocktails are the new cocktails. Jen Batchelor (she/her) and Bella Hadid (she/her) are the co-founders of Kin Euphorics, a non-alcoholic beverage that makes drinking an act of self-care. And we can attest to that, because our writer Ale pregamed with their latest lineup—Kin Bloom—last weekend, and was in the best mood all night without feeling like death on Sunday morning.

Below, the co-founders share what the new drink tastes like (hint: it rhymes with José), how Kin has helped recovering alcoholics and war veterans, and why being social doesn’t have to mean paying for 5 vodka sodas. (Shocking, right?)

So Jen, when did you realize there was a demand for mocktails that had wellness benefits rather than just being packed with sugar?
JEN: 2016 seems like a defining moment. I was part of a movement of women who were demanding more from the things they spent their time and money on, and I didn’t see why our social rituals had to be excluded from that conversation. With alcohol being at the center of all “celebratory” occasions, the cognitive dissonance seemed like a glaring problem to solve.

Bella, why’d you decide to join Jen on her journey?
BELLA: I found Kin Euphorics when I was working long days, felt jetlagged, and was teetering on the verge of burnout. Kin was the remedy I needed to feel like myself again—it’s my portal to feeling balanced and whole. ​That’s why when I found it, I wanted to get involved immediately, and it’s been incredible to be part of something I really believe in.

Why do you think non-alcoholic drinks are becoming more popular?
JEN: People are becoming more self-aware. Alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks are a way to stay in our power and our flow—to own our experiences rather than have them own us. Drinking alcohol is universally depressive to the system and, at its worst, it’s like playing a game of mood roulette. That’s why we have a drink for every mood you choose. We can take you up, wind you down, or we can keep a good thing going—all without depressing or intoxicating your system.
BELLA: One of my day-to-day responsibilities is to be social, and culture has taught us that to do that, we need to have a cocktail in our hand. But for me, that cocktail carried unwanted feelings. I didn’t always want to drink, but norms said I had to, which is why alcohol has long been a struggle for me. But Kin eases me back to my center. It recharges my social battery and boosts my serotonin.

What’s your favorite success story from people who drink Kin?
JEN: Recently, there was a woman who made Kintails [Kin cocktails] for her mom, who has been in recovery her whole life. It was the first time in 27 years that they got to sit down and “have a drink together.” It was meaningful and healing for them. We also have veterans from the war in Afghanistan who write to us about our High Rode drink aiding them in their daily struggle with social anxiety and PTSD, or Lightwave helping them quiet their mind for the first time in 10 years. It’s powerful stuff.

You guys recently launched Kin Bloom! Tell us more about it.
BELLA: There’s nothing like it available. It has the familiar taste of your favorite strawberry wine while also balancing you and making you feel more social and bubbly. It changes your perspective on drinking and socializing.​ It’ll allow you to enjoy the best days of summer without the negative impact of booze.
JEN: It’s naturally delicious, playing right into our universal love for all-day rosés—except this one has a strawberry twist and is low-sugar, low-cal, and diabetic- and Keto-friendly. It has no caffeine but none of the ingredients are particularly mellowing either, so it’s perfect for enhancing your mood while still drinking to your heart’s content.

Aside from drinking Kin, what are some other things you do to enhance wellness that you don’t post about?
JEN: Walking is key—or just anything where I move and drain my lymphatic system. And fascia massages and baths topped with the magic touch of abhyanga—they’re the perfect self-love fest.