Best Non-Alcoholic March Madness Drinks

March Madness is just around the corner. Do you know how I know? It’s almost March already and I’m pretty mad about it. Who gave 2023 the right to go by so quickly?! Ahem. Anyway, yes, I am aware that March Madness is, in fact, also the name of the huge collegiate basketball tournament, and, as such, I know that the watch parties are about to get wild. But even wild parties need a good variety of drinks, so I’m here to tell you all about some non-alcoholic March Madness drinks we think would go great with your watch party.

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Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Raspberry Lime

Sometimes all you want out of a March Madness drink is pure unadulterated energy. Why? So you can CHEER HARDER, SCREAM LOUDER, and KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAAAME!!! Or something like that. Point is, if you want an energy drink that actually tastes pretty good, try this one out. Sporked contributor Danny Palumbo described this carbonated energy drink as having a “subtle, fruity flavor,” adding that “the raspberry lime combination is brightly acidic and flavorful, too.” He also said it delivers “great flavor and a good boost of energy without making you feel horrible and crazy.” And THAT is a true feat right there. Forget winning a basketball game.

Grapefruit Bubly

We had to have a seltzer on here. Sometimes the best March Madness drinks are the healthy ones you can chug for the entire game with no consequence other than the occasional mega-burp. But just because this drink is healthy, that doesn’t put it in the loser’s bracket (see what I did there? That’s some tournament humor for ya), this stuff is actually so good Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling wants to “wash her hair in the stuff.” Not only that, it “smells so good—like really good grapefruit soda,” and it doesn’t taste “fake and it doesn’t taste sweet.” It just tasted like good ol’ carbonated water and grapefruit juice. Refreshing.

Related: Best Bubly Flavors, Ranked

The Blood of the Rival Team

Just kidding?

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail

How ’bout we just drink this one instead and pretend it’s number 3? Great, now that we’re on the same page, cranberry juice is hands down one of the most versatile mixers for any snazzy game day drinks or punches you might want to make, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Plus, it is great on its own or mixed with sprite or ginger ale! You can really take this one and run with it creativity wise, and this particular brand of cranberry juice truly is the king of cranberry juices. Sporked senior writer Jordan Myrick agrees with me that it would be a great addition to any drink, plus, they described it as “a classic for a reason! It’s not too sweet and not too tart.” Cranberry juice is such a helpful staple when making March Madness drinks (or any drinks for that matter).

Nestlé Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Y’all, sometimes it gets cold. Even in March. I know, madness, right? (Hehe.) But if you live in a place where temperatures are still hovering around freezing in March, you’ll probably want to ditch the cold drinks and have some nice comforting hot cocoa with your basketball. Plus, if your team loses, you still win because you are holding a literal mug of chocolate. And this Nestlé Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix is no joke. This is not only an accessible and money-saving option (great for serving a crowd), but it is also “so rich and creamy and chocolatey. Even when made with water, it tastes like it was made with whole milk.” This stuff is fanfrickintastic. Try it before the winter is over.

Coca-Cola

Sometimes when it comes to March Madness drinks, the people want what the people want, and what the people want is good ol’ fashioned soda. What is the most goodest and ol’ fashioned-est of sodas? Why, it’s Coca-Cola of course! There’s not much to say about this one, we’ve all had it. It’s delicious, acidic, and, as Jordan said, “crisp and carbonated and sweet and refreshing.” They noted how even just hearing the can opening makes them salivate. I totally agree; the sound of Coke cans opening is like the bell and we are all Pavlov’s doggos.

Gold Peak Sweet Tea

Lastly, why not some iced tea? If you want energy to keep you awake and engaged for the whole game-watching partay but not so much energy that you can’t sleep that night, iced tea is a great happy medium. Plus, this Gold Peak stuff is good. Jordan likened this to when your grandma brews you some tea and makes it too strong but then compensates with literally all the sugar. Danny described it as being “made with high-quality tea leaves and it features a boat load of cane sugar.” You get it—this tea is strong, sweet, earthy, bitter, and refreshing. What more could you ask for in iced tea? Any more would be madness.