5 Tasty and Effective Natural Caffeine Drinks That Aren’t Tea or Coffee

For centuries, tea and coffee have dominated the world of caffeinated drinks. They’re the daily pick-me-ups we reach for first thing in the morning, during mid-afternoon slumps, or when deadlines loom. But as much as we love them, more and more people are looking for alternatives. Whether it’s to reduce reliance on coffee’s acidity, escape the jitters of over-brewing a strong cup, or simply explore something new, consumers are asking: what else is out there?

The answer lies in natural caffeine sources that go far beyond tea leaves and coffee beans. These plants and botanicals don’t just stimulate - they offer unique nutritional benefits, smoother energy release, and often a refreshing change in taste. From South American traditions to modern nootropic blends, the world of natural caffeine is much bigger than most people realise.

At Shine+, we’ve made it our mission to pioneer this space. By crafting delicious drinks that combine natural caffeine with functional ingredients, we’re showing that clean energy can be both effective and enjoyable. Our Charged range contains an innovative blend with adaptogens, which give consumers options that feel modern, healthy, and exciting - without the downsides of synthetic caffeine or the limits of conventional coffee and tea.

Here are five tasty and effective natural caffeine drinks worth adding to your repertoire.

Yerba Maté: Clean Energy with Nutritional Benefits

If you’ve ever travelled through Argentina, Brazil, or Paraguay, you’ll know how central yerba maté is to daily life. Traditionally sipped from a gourd with a metal straw, this herbal infusion has been enjoyed for centuries as a source of energy and community.

What makes yerba maté special is its balanced effect. It delivers natural caffeine that feels clean and sustaining, rather than overwhelming. Many people describe it as providing alertness without the crash. On top of this, yerba maté is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making it a genuinely nourishing choice.

At Shine+, we harness the power of yerba maté in our Charged range. These drinks offer all the vitality of mate in a modern, ready-to-drink format - perfect for busy lifestyles. Instead of brewing your own, you can simply grab a can of Shine Charged and enjoy that smooth, sustained energy boost whenever you need it.

Green Coffee Extract

Most of us think of coffee as dark, roasted beans ground for brewing. But before coffee beans are roasted, they’re green and in this raw state, they’re a treasure trove of natural compounds. Green coffee extract is made from unroasted beans, which means it retains high levels of chlorogenic acids, powerful antioxidants linked to metabolism and heart health.

The caffeine content in green coffee extract is gentler than a double espresso, giving you smoother stimulation without the crash. For people sensitive to strong coffee, it’s a refreshing alternative that still delivers a boost.

Drinks infused with green coffee extract are gaining popularity because they bridge the gap between wellness and energy. You’re not just waking up your brain - you’re also feeding your body with beneficial plant compounds. For health-conscious consumers, this makes green coffee extract a smart and tasty addition to their daily routine. Both our Better Energy and Charged ranges, feature green coffee extract for a gentler, smoother stimulation. 

Guayusa: Focused Energy with a Smooth Taste

Guayusa is a lesser-known relative of yerba maté. Indigenous communities in Ecuador have brewed it for centuries as a natural energiser. Today, it’s becoming a rising star in the functional beverage market.

What sets guayusa apart is its smooth taste and its focus-enhancing effects. Unlike some caffeinated drinks that can feel jittery, guayusa offers a clean, focused energy that many users compare to mental clarity. This is thanks to its combination of caffeine, theobromine (the feel-good compound also found in chocolate), and amino acids that support balanced alertness.

For those who dislike the bitterness of black coffee or the tannins of strong tea, guayusa provides a milder, more approachable flavour profile. Infused into sparkling or still beverages, it’s a fantastic option for people who want calm concentration without harsh edges.

Kola Nut: The Original Cola with Natural Caffeine

Long before cola became a fizzy soft drink in a bottle, it was a plant. Kola nuts, native to West Africa, have been chewed and brewed for centuries as a natural stimulant. Traditionally used in ceremonies and social gatherings, kola nuts are rich in natural caffeine and theobromine, offering both mental alertness and gentle uplift.

Many modern colas rely on synthetic caffeine and heavy doses of sugar, but natural cola alternatives made with kola nuts provide the real thing. They capture the authentic, earthy flavour of kola while delivering a caffeine kick that feels organic rather than artificial.

For consumers who love the idea of cola but want a cleaner, more natural option, kola nut drinks are a revelation. They combine cultural heritage with modern tastes, offering something both nostalgic and forward-looking.

Shine+: Nootropic Energy Drinks with Natural Stimulants

While each of the options above brings something unique, Shine takes things a step further by blending multiple natural caffeine sources with nootropics, ingredients designed to support cognitive function. This creates a comprehensive energy drink that doesn’t just wake you up, but also sharpens focus, supports memory, and promotes mental clarity.

Our drinks combine the best of traditional wisdom - like green tea, yerba mate, and green coffee beans - with modern functional compounds such as L-theanine, B vitamins, and ginkgo biloba. The result is a beverage that fuels both body and brain, delivering clean energy without the sugar crashes or artificial additives found in many mainstream energy drinks.

Shine is also crafted to taste great. From sparkling citrus blends to much loved fruit infusions, flavour is just as important as function. We want every can to feel like a treat, not just a tool.

For consumers who demand more from their daily energy boost, Shine+ represents the future: drinks that are tasty, effective, and purposefully designed for modern lifestyles.

Tea and coffee will always have their place in our routines, but they’re not the only options. By exploring natural caffeine sources like yerba maté, green coffee extract, and nootropics, we open the door to new dimensions of energy and focus - each with unique cultural stories, flavour profiles, and health benefits.

Shine builds on this diversity by creating nootropic energy drinks that combine the best natural stimulants with functional ingredients for complete cognitive and physical support. It’s about honouring traditional wisdom while meeting modern demands for flavour, convenience, and clean energy.

If you’re ready to rethink your relationship with caffeine, it’s time to look beyond the usual tea and coffee. With natural alternatives like Shine+, you can enjoy energy that’s tasty, effective, and perfectly suited to today’s busy world.