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Drink HOPR: A Refreshing Take on Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Hop Water

Drink HOPR: A Refreshing Take on Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Hop Water

HOPR is an Australian-made, non-alcoholic sparkling hop water built around one idea: you should not have to choose between a drink that tastes good and one that is actually good for you. With zero alcohol, zero sugar, and zero calories, HOPR uses hops, ashwagandha, and L-theanine to deliver calm focus without the crash, the hangover, or the guilt.

We partnered with the team at HOPR because their approach to functional ingredients mirrors our own. Matcha has given drinkers a gentler, more focused kind of energy for centuries. HOPR is doing something similar in a can.


At a glance

Question Short answer
What is HOPR? An Australian sparkling hop water with adaptogens and nootropics — no alcohol, no sugar, no calories.
Does HOPR contain alcohol? No. It is zero alcohol and gluten free.
What are the key functional ingredients? Hops, ashwagandha (adaptogen), and L-theanine (amino acid found in green tea).
Does it make you sleepy? No. Ashwagandha calms the nervous system without causing drowsiness. L-theanine promotes relaxed focus rather than sedation.
What flavours are available? Citra Hops, Mango, and Citra and Amarillo Hops.
Is it vegan friendly? Yes. HOPR is vegan friendly, gluten free, and made in Australia.
What is the Purematcha x HOPR bundle? A limited-edition pack featuring three HOPR cans plus a 10g EISAI ceremonial matcha sample.

What is HOPR?

HOPR is a non-alcoholic sparkling water brewed with hops and enhanced with a carefully selected stack of adaptogens and nootropics. The result is a drink that delivers a genuine sense of calm and clarity without relying on alcohol, sugar, or caffeine.

The key ingredient is hops – technically the flower of the Humulus lupulus plant, the same plant used in beer brewing. Hops has its own distinctive flavour and aromatic profile: citrusy, pine-like, herbal, and earthy. HOPR’s team has engineered a range of flavours by leaning into those natural characteristics and pairing them with complementary fruit profiles.

The drink is:

  • Zero alcohol
  • Zero sugar
  • Zero calories
  • Gluten free
  • Vegan friendly
  • Made in Australia

The functional ingredients inside HOPR

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the most studied herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, with a history stretching back thousands of years. It is classified as an adaptogen – a substance that helps the body regulate its response to stress.

Ashwagandha is known to help moderate cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and support a calmer nervous system. Importantly, it does not cause sleepiness. The effect is closer to taking the edge off without dulling your awareness.

L-theanine

If you drink matcha, you are already familiar with L-theanine. It is the amino acid that gives matcha its characteristic calm-focus quality – the reason matcha drinkers describe feeling alert but not anxious.

L-theanine is found naturally in green tea leaves and has been studied for its effects on focus, memory, and cognitive performance. Japanese monks and samurai have been benefiting from it since at least the 12th century, via their daily tea practice.

Why L-theanine matters: It promotes what researchers describe as “relaxed alertness” – the feeling of being focused and calm at the same time. This is different from the jittery alertness that caffeine alone can produce. When paired with matcha’s natural caffeine, L-theanine is part of what makes the experience so balanced.

To understand more about L-theanine in the context of matcha, see our matcha buyers guide.


The HOPR sparkling hop water range

Hops gives each HOPR variant its base flavour character. The team has built three distinct expressions by dialling different hop varieties up or down.

The Citra Hops One

The original. Expect floral and citrus aromatics with notes of lychee and elderflower. This is the crowd-pleaser – clean, bright, and easy drinking.

The Mango One

Citra hops paired with mango for a tropical IPA-adjacent experience. If you want something with a subtle hoppy finish and a fruit-forward first impression, this is it.

The Citra and Amarillo Hops One

A slightly less bitter expression, engineered to bring out more tropical and citrus character from the hops. Notes of peach, grapefruit, and lemon make this one feel particularly refreshing.


The Purematcha x HOPR collaboration

We partnered with HOPR because both brands are working toward the same goal: giving people better-tasting, better-for-you drink options. Whether you are cutting back on alcohol, reducing your coffee intake, or simply looking for something more interesting than water, there is a place for both matcha and HOPR in that picture.

Why we collaborated: L-theanine connects our two products at a functional level. Matcha is one of the most concentrated natural sources of L-theanine available. HOPR uses it as a key nootropic ingredient. It made sense to introduce our customers to each other.

The limited-edition Better Alternatives One bundle brought together three HOPR cans and a 10g sample of our EISAI ceremonial matcha – a simple way to explore both drinks and build better daily habits around what you reach for.

If you would like to explore our full matcha range, start with the matcha comparison chart or read our ceremonial vs culinary matcha guide to understand the difference.


How HOPR fits into a lower-alcohol lifestyle

Australians are increasingly looking for drinks that feel social and considered without the downsides of alcohol. HOPR sits squarely in this space – it has the look and feel of a craft beverage, the complexity of something brewed with intention, and none of the alcohol.

For matcha drinkers who already appreciate the slow ritual of a morning bowl, HOPR offers a similar philosophy in a more grab-and-go format. Both are about choosing a drink that does something useful for your mind and body rather than just occupying your hand.

Looking for a matcha alternative to coffee? Our guide to how to make matcha in 5 simple steps is the best place to start. A well-made bowl of ceremonial matcha gives you calm, sustained energy that many people find easier to manage than a double espresso.


Explore our ceremonial matcha range

If the HOPR x Purematcha collaboration brought you here, here are the matcha products most worth exploring.


Frequently asked questions

What is Drink HOPR?

HOPR (also written as drinkhopr or drink hopr) is an Australian-made non-alcoholic sparkling hop water. It is crafted with hops, ashwagandha, and L-theanine to produce a functional, calming drink with zero alcohol, zero sugar, and zero calories.

Does HOPR make you sleepy?

No. This is one of the most common questions about HOPR. Ashwagandha – one of the key adaptogens – calms the nervous system but does not cause drowsiness. L-theanine similarly promotes relaxed focus rather than sedation. The overall effect is calm alertness, not tiredness.

Is HOPR a beer?

No. HOPR is not a beer and contains no alcohol. It uses hops as a flavour ingredient – the same plant used in brewing – but the product itself is a sparkling water with zero alcohol content. Think of it as a hop-forward sparkling water rather than a non-alcoholic beer.

Where can I buy HOPR in Australia?

HOPR is an Australian-made product (drinkhopr.com.au). The limited-edition Purematcha x HOPR collaboration bundle was available through Purematcha. Check both the HOPR website and purematcha.com.au for current availability.

What is L-theanine and what does it do?

L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in green tea leaves, including in matcha. It is associated with relaxed alertness – a calm, focused mental state without the jitteriness that can come from caffeine alone. Japanese monks valued it for its ability to support meditative focus during long tea ceremonies. You can read more about it in our matcha buyers guide.

How is HOPR different from a regular sparkling water?

Standard sparkling water is simply carbonated water with no functional ingredients. HOPR adds hops (for flavour and aroma), ashwagandha (an adaptogen to support stress regulation), and L-theanine (a nootropic to support focus and calm). The result is a drink designed to do something specific for your mood and mental state, not just hydrate you.

Can I use HOPR and matcha together?

Yes, and that is exactly the thinking behind the Purematcha x HOPR collaboration. Both products contain L-theanine and are designed to support calm, focused energy. They work well at different times of day – matcha in the morning as a ritual, HOPR in the afternoon or evening as a social alternative to alcohol.

What are you looking for?