You don’t need alcohol to have a good time. But if you’re going to spend money on an overpriced beverage, you may as well get something that gets you buzzed. Right? In case you were wondering, no, there aren’t any drinks without alcohol that also cost thousands of dollars. That said, plenty of establishments have started offering pricey concoctions that are in no way buzz-inducing — they’re more like super-fancy juices with a hefty price tag. Some of them don’t even taste good. So why do these non-alcoholic drinks cost so much? It comes down to the old saying: If you can sell it, they will come. Read on for eight of the most expensive non-alcoholic drinks without alcohol on Earth…
Why Non-Alcoholic Drinks Cost So Much
When they’re not mixed with alcohol, these drinks are generally made with super rare ingredients that aren’t exactly affordable to most people. Caviar, gold leaf, aged cheese, and other rare delicacies can cost thousands of dollars per serving. Many of these places also don’t skimp on the portions, so you end up getting a ton of food with every single drink. The ingredients are almost always fresh, which can also drive up the price. You can only get certain fruit-flavoured beans during their season, for example, and it can take the farmers a long time to harvest enough for the amount you’re ordering.
Tepid Coffee and Dry Shrimp: The Most Expensive Non-Alcoholic Drink
If you’re looking for the most expensive non-alcoholic drink on the planet, you may as well start with a cup of coffee. It’s not exactly a drink, but it is a liquid — and it’s also the most expensive beverage in the world. Both the beans and the roasted coffee are imported from Ethiopia, where coffee plants have been grown for thousands of years. This drink is a bit different than what you’re probably used to. It’s not hot, it’s not even tepid; it’s a room temperature coffee that’s been brewed with water and iced down. There’s no sugar added, either — just a touch of salt. The most expensive non-alcoholic drink also comes with a shrimp garnish. The whole thing costs $55.
Free-Range Eggs and Caviar: The Second Most Expensive Non-Alolic Drink
At $100, this non-alcoholic drink is the second most expensive in the world. It’s a mixture of fresh caviar and fresh duck eggs — the kind that would come from a free-range duck. The eggs are whisked with cream, garlic, and pepper, and served in a small bowl with the caviar poured on top. You can buy large caviar tins for about $30, so this drink is definitely not made from the bargain brand. The eggs are also likely to be very high quality, as they’d be too expensive to make otherwise.
Ultra Rare Wine and Gold Leaf: Third on the List
You might think that a wine list would be full of expensive wines, but that isn’t the case. While some of the wines on this list come close to $100, there’s one that goes all the way north of $5,000 per bottle. This particular wine comes from a vineyard located in Napa Valley, California, where rich soil and plentiful sunshine produce some of the best grapes in the world. A single bottle of this wine — which is said to taste of blackberries and black currants — will set you back about $3,000. Add the gold leaf and it’ll cost you an extra $2,500.
Champagne and Escargot: Fourth Place
Champagne is traditionally thought of as a celebratory drink. It’s normally ordered at weddings, special birthdays, or New Year’s Eve. You can get a bottle for as little as $15, but if you want the real deal, it’s going to cost you. There’s a type of champagne called “Grand Cru” that can cost upwards of $300 a bottle. For that price, you might as well go all the way and get the Grand Cru with gold leaf. That’ll cost you $3,000.
Orange Juice, Strawberry Purée, and Tumeric: Fifth Place
This non-alcoholic drink is made from orange juice, strawberry purée, and tumeric — the same thing you’d put in an Indian curry. This drink is actually a special health-boosting concoction called the “Immune Booster” that’s served at California’s The Broth Bar. It’s priced slightly more expensive than other non-alcoholic drinks — $17 — but it’s worth it. Not only is it super tasty, but it’ll also help you stay healthy through cold and flu season.
Steeped Tea, Aged Cheese, and Matcha: Sixth Place
This caffeinated concoction is made from a mixture of teas, a splash of milk, and a sprinkle of matcha green tea powder. It’s served at London’s Leaves Café, where it’ll cost you $19. The drink is supposed to “energise, nourish and relax” you — and it’s definitely worth the price. The teas are all organic, the milk is free-range, and the matcha is extremely high quality. You may even find yourself feeling relaxed without any caffeine at all.
Coconut Water, Rosemary, and Burdock Root: Seventh Place
This non-alcoholic drink is made from coconut water, rosemary, and burdock root. It’s the most expensive non-alcoholic drink in the United States and costs $17 at New York City’s Café Gratitude. It’s made with a special type of coconut water that’s been fermented with probiotic-rich herbs and flowers. It also contains rosemary, which has a ton of health benefits, and burdock root, which is a powerful detoxifier. Even if you don’t like the taste, it’s probably worth the price just for the health benefits alone.
Beans, Broths, and Superfoods: Eighth And Final Spot On the List
This super-healthy concoction is made from beans, broths, and superfoods. It’s served at New York City’s Cerealiously Café, and it costs $19. The superfoods in this drink include things like rehydrated dried figs, goji berries, and mulberries. Add the beans and the broths, and you’ve got a very healthy, very expensive non-alcoholic drink. If you’re looking to save money on your next drink, try making your own non-alcoholic concoction at home. You can use almost any ingredients you want — and it’s a lot easier and cheaper than going to a fancy café.
Conclusion
If you’re going to spend money on a non-alcoholic drink, make sure it’s worth it. There’s no need to splurge on fancy ingredients if you’re just going to chug it down in a few sips. And remember, just because it doesn’t have alcohol in it doesn’t mean it’s healthy. In fact, some of these drinks are more fattening than a chocolate milkshake. Before you order that $17 coconut water, make sure you’re actually getting your money’s worth.