There’s something comforting about a warm cup of coffee after dinner.
Maybe it's the aroma, the familiar taste, or simply having something warm to sip while relaxing at the end of the day.
But if you're trying to reduce your caffeine intake, that evening cup of coffee might be something you want to reconsider.
The good news is that you don't have to give up your evening drink ritual. There are plenty of comforting alternatives that don't contain caffeine, including one that brews just like coffee.
Here are five options worth trying.
Why Choose a Caffeine-Free Drink at Night?
Coffee naturally contains caffeine, a stimulant that can affect alertness and sleep.
The effects vary from person to person. Some people can drink coffee later in the day without noticing much difference, while others prefer avoiding caffeine after lunch.
If you enjoy coffee primarily for its flavour, warmth, or routine, switching to a caffeine-free beverage in the evening can be a practical way to reduce your daily caffeine intake.
The important thing is finding something you genuinely enjoy drinking.
1. Roasted Rice Coffee
Best for people who miss the ritual of coffee.
If you enjoy the process of brewing coffee, roasted rice coffee is an interesting alternative.
Instead of coffee beans, it's made from rice that has been roasted to develop a deeper colour, aroma, and flavour.
The result is a warm, toasted beverage that offers a familiar coffee-style experience without naturally occurring caffeine.
Inafi Original is made from roasted jasmine rice and designed to be brewed using equipment you may already own, including a French press, drip coffee maker, or pour-over brewer.
It has a smooth, roasted character that you can enjoy black or with your preferred milk.
Unlike traditional coffee, Inafi doesn't contain coffee beans.
That means you can prepare a cup after dinner without adding caffeine to your evening routine.
It's not exactly coffee, and it isn't trying to be. It's roasted jasmine rice, brewed like coffee.
2. Herbal Tea
Best for a lighter, soothing evening drink.
Herbal teas are among the most familiar caffeine-free alternatives.
Popular choices include chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, and ginger.
Each offers a different flavour experience.
Chamomile has a delicate floral character, while peppermint provides a refreshing finish. Rooibos has a naturally earthy flavour that can be enjoyed with milk.
One thing to remember: not every tea is caffeine-free.
Black tea, green tea, and many chai blends contain caffeine because they're made with tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant.
If you're avoiding caffeine, look for herbal infusions specifically labelled caffeine-free.
Herbal tea is a good option when you want something light, but it may not satisfy someone who misses the richer roasted flavour of coffee.
3. Warm Milk or a Plant-Based Milk Drink
Best for a simple, creamy evening beverage.
Sometimes, the most comforting drink is also the simplest.
A warm cup of milk can become an enjoyable evening ritual without needing coffee or tea.
You can use dairy milk, oat milk, soy milk, or another plant-based alternative.
Try warming your preferred milk and adding a little cinnamon or vanilla for flavour.
If you enjoy sweeter drinks, you can add a small amount of maple syrup or honey.
This is a particularly easy option because it requires very little preparation.
For people who prefer a richer roasted flavour, warm milk can also be added to brewed roasted rice coffee to create a creamy latte-style drink.
Just remember that some packaged flavoured milks contain added sugar or other ingredients, so it's worth checking the label.
4. Roasted Chicory Root
Best for people who enjoy earthy, roasted flavours.
Chicory root has a long history as a coffee substitute.
When roasted and ground, it can be brewed into a dark beverage with a distinctive earthy, slightly bitter taste.
Pure chicory root is naturally caffeine-free.
Some people enjoy it on its own, while others mix it with milk or combine it with other roasted ingredients.
However, not every chicory product is caffeine-free.
Some commercial blends combine chicory with actual coffee, so check the ingredient list before purchasing.
Chicory has a stronger, more earthy character than roasted rice, making it an option for people who enjoy pronounced roasted flavours.
5. A Caffeine-Free Hot Chocolate
Best for an occasional sweet evening treat.
Hot chocolate is another comforting drink, especially during colder Canadian evenings.
However, there's an important distinction.
Regular cocoa naturally contains some caffeine, along with theobromine, another naturally occurring stimulant.
That means a typical cup of hot chocolate isn't necessarily caffeine-free.
If your goal is to avoid caffeine entirely, look for a cocoa-free hot chocolate-style drink made with ingredients such as carob.
Carob has a naturally sweet, chocolate-like character and doesn't contain the caffeine found in cocoa.
You can mix carob powder with warm milk or a plant-based alternative to create a creamy evening beverage.
As with any prepared drink mix, check the ingredients for added sugar and other flavourings.
Which Evening Coffee Alternative Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on what you enjoy most about coffee.
If you want something light and refreshing, herbal tea might be your favourite.
If you enjoy creamy, comforting drinks, warm milk or a cocoa-free chocolate-style drink could be a good fit.
If you prefer earthy, roasted flavours, chicory may be worth exploring.
But if what you miss most is the familiar coffee ritual—measuring, brewing, pouring, and enjoying a roasted cup—roasted rice coffee offers something different.
You can keep the brewing process you already know while choosing an ingredient that's naturally caffeine-free.
How to Make an Evening Roasted Rice Latte
Want to try something a little different after dinner?
Here's a simple way to prepare a warm Inafi latte-style drink at home.
Ingredients:
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1–2 tablespoons of Inafi
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8 oz of hot water
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Your preferred milk or plant-based alternative
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Optional cinnamon or sweetener
Instructions:
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Brew Inafi using your French press, drip coffee maker, or pour-over.
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Warm a small amount of your preferred milk.
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Pour the brewed Inafi into your favourite mug.
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Add the warm milk to taste.
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Finish with cinnamon or a little sweetener if desired.
For a different flavour experience, explore the Inafi Discovery Set, which allows you to choose two varieties.
It's a simple way to create a comforting evening drink without using traditional coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is decaf coffee completely caffeine-free?
No. Decaffeinated coffee generally contains small amounts of caffeine. If you want to avoid caffeine entirely, look for beverages made from naturally caffeine-free ingredients.
Can I drink roasted rice coffee before bed?
Inafi is naturally caffeine-free, so drinking it doesn't add caffeine to your evening. However, individual sleep and digestive responses can vary, and no beverage guarantees better sleep.
Does herbal tea contain caffeine?
Many herbal infusions are naturally caffeine-free, but black and green teas contain caffeine. Always check the ingredients.
Does hot chocolate contain caffeine?
Traditional cocoa contains some caffeine. A cocoa-free alternative, such as a carob-based drink, is an option for people avoiding it.
Can I add milk to Inafi?
Yes. Inafi can be enjoyed black, with dairy milk, or with a plant-based alternative. You can also serve it over ice.
Keep the Ritual. Skip the Caffeine.
Giving up evening coffee doesn't mean giving up the moments you enjoy around it.
You can still prepare something warm, enjoy a roasted aroma, and settle into your favourite part of the evening.
Whether you choose herbal tea, chicory, warm milk, or roasted rice coffee, the best alternative is one you'll look forward to drinking.
If you're looking for a familiar coffee-style experience without caffeine, explore Inafi's roasted jasmine rice coffee alternatives.
It's not coffee. But it's brewed like coffee.
