Coffee is the default morning fuel, but on quick travel days, it can lead to anxiety and energy dips. Changing your morning drink can help you handle jet lag and long days of travel. Here is a look at 10 smart drinks to swap for your morning cup, giving you steady energy and helping your body meet the demands of travel.
10 Drinks to Power Your Busy Travel Mornings
1. Warm Lemon Water
This choice could not be simpler. Squeezing a lemon half into warm water is a refreshing way to hydrate your system and wake up your digestion after sleeping. It gives you a burst of Vitamin C without caffeine or sugar.
If you need a water bottle, we love the Hydro Flask or Yeti Rambler Water Bottle.
These bottles are known for their double-wall vacuum insulation, which is excellent at keeping drinks hot for hours. They are durable, come in various sizes and colors, and stainless steel is a great material for use with lemon water.
Hydro Flask
Yeti Rambler
2. Green Tea
For many people, green tea offers the perfect balance. It provides a gentler caffeine lift than coffee, helping avoid jitters or an afternoon slump. The drink includes L-theanine, a compound known to promote calm concentration—perfect for a full day of navigating a new place.
For pre-made green tea drinks (bottled), we really like:
Ito En Tea Oi Ocha Green Tea, Unsweetened, 16.9 Ounce (Pack of 12)
Price: ~$17
Pure, authentically brewed Japanese green tea with the integrity and essence of the whole leaf tea and all its health benefits.
If you prefer to make your own, we have another from the same brand. These packets are super affordable and some of the best tasting around:
ITO EN Organic Matcha Green Tea – Tea Bags, 50ct (1-Pack)
Price: ~$16
A delicious and organic green tea that blends Japanese sencha with matcha. The additional green tea powder results in a subtle yet rich aroma and flavor.
3. Matcha Latte
Matcha is green tea in powder form; this means you consume the whole leaf. Doing so delivers a high dose of antioxidants and a powerful, lasting energy boost. Mix it with warm milk (or a portable plant milk) for a creamy, foamy morning drink.
Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Matcha Latte
Price: ~$15
Smooth, organic matcha latte mix. Just add water or milk for a creamy, balanced, café-quality drink at home. Pure energy, no crash.
4. Yerba Mate
Popular across South America, this herbal drink is becoming a favorite globally. It delivers a caffeine jolt much like coffee but is softened by other compounds, resulting in a clean feeling of alertness. It is often found in cans, making it easy to grab while running out the door.
5. Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte)
This soothing, caffeine-free drink mixes warm milk with spices like ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. Turmeric holds curcumin, which is highly praised for supporting the body’s natural recovery systems—a welcome aid when you are on the road.
6. Smoothies
Mixing a fresh drink or using a single-serve protein powder like Blendtopia with fruit can fuel you up quickly. Blending fruit (for quick energy) with protein powder or seeds (for lasting power) can also give you that complete morning meal if you prefer that avenue.
If you’re someone who’s always on the go, we really like Noka smoothies. They’re the perfect on-the-go snack, great for adults, and a great alternative to bars. You simply twist the cap off and enjoy!
7. Coconut Water
If your trip involves warm weather or lots of physical activity, coconut water is the answer. It is naturally loaded with electrolytes, helping replace fluid and salts lost through movement. It keeps you hydrated better than plain water and has a subtle, sweet taste.
8. Black Tea
If you miss the deep, dark flavor of your usual brew, black tea is the closest replacement. A cup holds around half the caffeine of coffee. This makes it a good step if you are trying to use less caffeine without completely changing your favorite morning habit.
Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea
Price: ~$12
It’s not by accident that Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea is a top choice in this category. The tea comes from Kenya and Malawi, so it’s brisk and full of flavour. The combination creates a complex yet subtle cup of tea that is perfect for any time of day.
9. Brewed Cacao
Made from roasted and crushed cacao beans, you can make this beverage just like coffee. The taste is like a rich, earthy chocolate. It holds a mild stimulant called theobromine, which provides a gentle sense of alertness that lasts for hours without making you feel anxious.
Here is our pick for best brewed cacao:
Viva Naturals Organic Cacao Powder
Price: ~$33
Roasted and gently milled into a fine, silky powder, our unsweetened organic cocoa powder offers a rich, luscious, dark chocolatey taste without added saturated fat. Stir this delicious cacao powder into shakes, smoothies, or make it the secret ingredient in chocolate bombs for hot cocoa.
10. Warm Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Drink
This choice is mostly for focusing on health. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed into water (and sometimes sweetened with a touch of honey) helps awaken your digestive system. It’s an earthy, acidic option that gets your body ready for action at the start of a challenging day.
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