The non-alcoholic beverage market is booming. Consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to traditional cocktails—drinks that deliver a feel-good vibe without the hangover. Enter functional social tonics: sparkling beverages packed with adaptogens, nootropics, and other wellness ingredients designed to help you relax, focus, or simply enjoy the moment.
Two brands have emerged as frontrunners in this space: Hiyo and Recess. Both promise stress relief and mood enhancement in a can, but they take different approaches. Hiyo leans into adaptogens and nootropics for what they call “the float,” while Recess offers multiple product lines—including their magnesium-infused Mood drinks—to help you feel “calm cool collected.”
But which one should you reach for? We’ll break down everything from ingredients and taste to pricing and accessibility, so you can decide which social tonic deserves a spot in your fridge.
What is Hiyo?
Hiyo positions itself as an organic social tonic crafted to elevate your mood and empower you in pursuit of “life never wasted.” Each can contains a blend of stress-relieving adaptogens, focus-enhancing nootropics, and functional botanicals designed to produce what the brand calls “the float”—a delightful sensation that comes from 1.7 grams of organic functional ingredients.
Key Ingredients:
- Ashwagandha: An adaptogenic herb that helps regulate cortisol levels and relieve stress
- L-Theanine: Derived from decaffeinated green tea, this amino acid brightens mood and enhances focus
- Lion’s Mane: A nootropic mushroom that supports mental clarity and cognitive performance
- Lemon Balm: An herb that reduces anxiety and stabilizes mood
- Passion Flower: Clinically proven to alleviate stress and encourage relaxation
- Ginger: Aids digestion and provides antioxidant benefits
Hiyo is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. At just 30 calories per can, it contains 11-12 grams of total carbs (depending on flavor) and uses a blend of organic raw cane sugar and organic erythritol for sweetness.
Flavor Profiles:
Hiyo offers eight refreshing flavors: Blackberry Lemon (bold and alluring), Passion Fruit Tangerine (fragrant and tart), Peach Mango (sweet and satisfying), Strawberry Guava (vibrant and inviting), Watermelon Lime (light and refreshing), Pineapple Coconut, and two variety packs (Classic and Tropical). Each flavor is fruit-forward and lightly sweetened with natural juices and extracts.
What is Recess?
Recess takes a multi-product approach to helping you relax and unwind. Their tagline—”calm cool collected”—captures the brand’s mission to create drinks that help you skip the booze, not the moment.
Recess offers several product lines:
- Recess Mood: Sparkling water infused with magnesium and adaptogens (no CBD)
- Zero Proof Craft Mocktails: Adaptogen-infused zero-alcohol cocktail alternatives
- Sparkling Water: Their original CBD-infused sparkling waters (still available in select markets)
- Mood Powder: Stick packs and tubs for mixing magnesium and adaptogens into any beverage
For this comparison, we’ll focus on Recess Mood, their most widely available product line and the closest competitor to Hiyo.
Key Ingredients (Recess Mood):
Each 12-ounce can contains:
- Magnesium blend (53mg total): Including magnesium L-threonate (for brain health), magnesium ascorbate, and active vitamin B6
- L-Theanine: For calm focus
- Lemon Balm: To reduce anxiety
- Ginseng: An adaptogen that supports energy and resilience
Recess Mood is caffeine-free, contains just 20 calories per can, and has 3-4 grams of sugar from fruit juice (no added sugar). The drinks are brewed with real ingredients like strawberries, rose petals, peaches, and ginger.
Flavor Profiles:
Recess Mood comes in seven flavors: Strawberry Rose, Raspberry Lemon, Lime Citrus, Grapefruit Tangerine, Peach Ginger, Blood Orange, and Orange Vanilla. They also offer sampler packs so you can try multiple flavors.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Functional Ingredients & Approach
Both brands use adaptogens and L-theanine, but their formulations differ significantly.
Hiyo takes a nootropic-forward approach with six functional ingredients, including lion’s mane mushroom and passion flower. The brand emphasizes cognitive clarity and mood elevation alongside stress relief. With 1.7 grams of functional ingredients per can, Hiyo’s formula is robust and designed to deliver “the float”—a noticeable uplift in mood and focus.
Recess Mood centers its formula around magnesium, providing 53mg per can (roughly 13% of your daily value). Magnesium is known to support relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and improve sleep quality. Recess pairs this with adaptogens like ginseng and lemon balm, creating a more targeted relaxation experience. Their approach is less about cognitive enhancement and more about winding down.
The takeaway: Hiyo is ideal if you want mental clarity and mood elevation alongside stress relief. Recess Mood is better suited for unwinding after a long day or promoting relaxation before bed.
Taste & Carbonation
Taste is subjective, but both brands have earned praise for their flavor profiles.
Hiyo’s drinks are lightly sweetened and fruit-forward, with natural juices and extracts creating bold, refreshing flavors. Popular favorites include Blackberry Lemon and Peach Mango. The carbonation is moderate—enough to feel like a special occasion drink without being overly fizzy.
Recess Mood brews each flavor with real ingredients (strawberries, rose petals, ginger, etc.), giving the drinks a more delicate, tea-like quality. Flavors like Strawberry Rose and Peach Ginger feel sophisticated and calming. The carbonation is gentle, making these drinks feel more like a ritual than a party beverage.
The takeaway: If you prefer bold, vibrant flavors with moderate fizz, go with Hiyo. If you want a more subtle, tea-inspired taste with gentle bubbles, Recess Mood is your match.
Calories & Nutrition
Recess Mood edges out Hiyo in the calorie department, with just 20 calories per can compared to Hiyo’s 30. Both are low-calorie options, but if you’re counting every calorie, Recess has the advantage.
Hiyo contains 11-12 grams of total carbs per can, while Recess Mood has 4 grams. Hiyo uses organic raw cane sugar and organic erythritol for sweetness, while Recess Mood relies on monk fruit extract and 3-4 grams of natural fruit sugar.
Both drinks are caffeine-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
Pricing & Accessibility
Hiyo:
- 12-pack: $44.99 ($3.75 per can)
- 24-pack: $89.99 ($3.75 per can)
- 48-pack: $179.99 ($3.75 per can)
- Subscribe & Save: 15% off, bringing the price to $3.19 per can
Hiyo is available on their website and through Amazon.
Recess Mood:
- Individual cans: $2.98 at retailers like H-E-B and Target
- 12-pack on Amazon: Approximately $41.88 ($3.49 per can)
- Subscribe & Save: Up to 15% off on Amazon
Recess Mood has wider retail distribution, making it easier to find in grocery stores and convenience shops. You can also buy single cans to try before committing to a full pack.
The takeaway: Recess Mood wins on accessibility and single-can pricing. Hiyo offers better value for bulk purchases through their subscription service.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Hiyo if:
- You want a noticeable cognitive boost and mood elevation
- You prefer bold, fruit-forward flavors with moderate carbonation
- You’re looking for a USDA-certified organic option
- You plan to stock up and want a subscription discount
Choose Recess Mood if:
- You want to unwind and relax, especially in the evening
- You’re interested in the benefits of magnesium for stress and sleep
- You prefer lighter, tea-inspired flavors with gentle fizz
- You want to buy single cans at retail stores before committing to a pack
Finding Your Perfect Social Tonic
Both Hiyo and Recess Mood deliver on their promises of functional, feel-good beverages. Hiyo excels at providing mental clarity and an uplifting mood boost, making it perfect for social gatherings or midday pick-me-ups. Recess Mood shines as an evening wind-down drink, leveraging magnesium and adaptogens to help you relax.
The best choice depends on what you need from your beverage. Want to feel energized and social? Reach for Hiyo. Looking to melt away the day’s stress? Recess Mood has you covered.
Try a variety pack from each brand to discover which functional ingredients and flavors work best for your lifestyle. Your perfect social tonic is out there—no alcohol required.