Photo by Sara Marie D'Eugenio.

The Lowdown: A certified organic, single-fermentation kombucha brewed from locally sourced Zhi Tea. The brand regularly partners with high-profile collaborators like Veracruz All Natural on seasonal flavors. 

Health Benefits: Like other acidified foods, kombucha has natural probiotics that aid digestion and gut health. But unlike most labels, KTonic doesn’t add fructose, which means less sugar in each bottle. 

Upgrade: Make it a mocktail by combining it with your favorite flavored sparkling water, fruit juice, and fresh herbs. 

The Lowdown: A ready-to-drink canned option made from ceremonial-grade, stone-ground matcha out of Japan’s esteemed Aichi Prefecture. 

Health Benefits: Not only does it have 10 times more antioxidants than regular green tea, its naturally occurring L-theanine provides a jitter-free caffeine rush. 

  Upgrade: Add ice, almond milk, and a touch of sweetener for a quick matcha latte. 

The Lowdown: Coffee is 98 percent water, which is why Austin Roasting Company uses reverse osmosis H2O to brew its ethically sourced, small-batch roasted beans out of South America and Africa. 

Health Benefits: An infusion of nitrogen lends a creaminess and accentuates the coffee’s natural sweet-ness, so you don’t have to doctor it with milk or sugar. Also, coffee has essential B vitamins.  

Upgrade: Cold brew and tonic water is a shockingly easy and delicious nonalcoholic alternative. 

The Lowdown: Strongly brewed loose leaf teas with just a splash of Oatly oat milk and raw cane sugar. Founder Caitlin Cash calls the ratio “a reverse espresso latte.” 

Health Benefits: Green teas like Kinship’s oolong are high in polyphenols, which decrease inflammation. 

Upgrade: If you are going to cheat, you might as well do it here, as milk tea (plus the requisite vodka and coffee liqueur) makes for a killer White Russian. 

Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue became one of the most decorated pitmasters in the state by putting his health first.

Taking a break from booze doesn’t have to kill your buzz.

Amanda Turner had a change of heart when it came to the food of her youth. Now that epiphany is shaking up one of Austin’s star Southern restaurant.

1712 Rio Grande Street, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78701

Website by Web Publisher PRO

1712 Rio Grande Street, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78701

Website by Web Publisher PRO