Mushrooms in Functional Mocktails: What You Need to Know
Adding adaptogenic mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps to your favorite non-alcoholic drinks might sound unconventional, but these powerful ingredients are exactly what make functional mocktails a smarter way to sip. Designed to support focus, relaxation, and natural energy, they’re changing the way we socialize without alcohol. In every can of Pesche, you’ll only taste bold, refreshing flavors inspired by classic cocktails and never the earthiness of mushrooms.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- What makes mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps functional
- Why these ingredients were specifically chosen for Pesche’s mocktails
- How each one supports a different vibe, plus real testimonials showcasing their benefits directly from our customers
The Science (and Magic) Behind Adaptogenic Mushrooms
What Are Functional Mushrooms? (and Why They’re in Your Mocktail)
You’ve probably seen your favorite influencers or even friends start to incorporate adaptogenic mushrooms into their daily lives through powders, supplements, or even mushroom coffee. But what exactly are these mushrooms, and what makes them a positive functional addition to our routines?
Functional mushrooms are a category of mushrooms known for delivering benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. These mushrooms support everything from cognitive performance and immune health to natural energy and emotional balance. Popular varieties like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Turkey Tail are not only functional, they’re also adaptogenic. That means they help your body adapt to stress and build resilience, making them a powerful tool for both mind and body wellness.
Are Functional Mushrooms the Same as Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Nope, and that’s one of the biggest misconceptions we want to clear up. Functional mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps are not psychedelic and won’t cause any kind of high or hallucinogenic effect. Unlike psychedelic mushrooms, functional mushrooms are non-psychoactive and safe for daily use. Their power comes from adaptogenic and nootropic compounds that support focus, calm, immune balance, and sustained energy, without altering your perception or giving you a ‘high’. The benefits are most impactful when taken consistently, working with your body to support cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being naturally.
Why Pesche Uses Adaptogenic Mushrooms
Our Functional “Base” Ingredient in Every Can
From day one, co-founders Zack and Taylor knew that adaptogenic mushrooms would be the foundation of every Pesche functional mocktail. Their goal? To create a beverage that sits confidently between alcohol and wellness while being non-alcoholic and non-psychoactive, yet beneficial for your mind and body.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Taylor led the formulation process, building each can’s desired effect around a specific adaptogenic mushroom and layering in complementary functional ingredients, like other adaptogens and botanicals, to deliver distinct sensations tailored for different settings or scenarios.
Just like how people reach for wine to wind down or tequila to turn up, Pesche’s lineup is designed to match the vibe of your day or night, without the alcohol. Whether you’re looking for clarity, calm, or recovery, there’s a functional mocktail made to support how you want to feel.
Meet the Big 3: Reishi, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane
How Each Functional Mushroom Matches a Mood
When co-founder and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Taylor Grasso started crafting Pesche’s formulas, she didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Many of the adaptogenic mushrooms and functional ingredients she was already recommending to clients, or even using herself, became the foundation for our mood-based mocktails. Each mushroom was chosen for its specific benefits and how it naturally supports the sensation we wanted each can to evoke.
We focused on three of the most powerful and research-backed functional mushrooms—Reishi, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane—to match each vibe in our lineup: from clarity and focus, to relaxation and recovery.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom: The Focus Booster
Known as the nootropic mushroom, Lion’s Mane supports memory, focus, and mental clarity by stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF), which is a protein vital for brain cell development and cognitive function. It’s a favorite for people looking to feel “on,” without the caffeine crash.
We pair it with Ginseng and Green Tea Extract to create a clean, energized lift, so you can feel social, sharp, and switched on.
Found in: Lift – Peach Mango Margarita
Cordyceps Mushroom: The Energy Sustainer
Cordyceps is your go-to for stamina, endurance, and sustainable energy. Known for helping increase ATP production (your body’s energy currency), it supports both performance and recovery, making it ideal for those long days or late nights.
We combined it with Rhodiola and Ashwagandha for balanced energy and mood. It helps you stay grounded, resilient, and lightly energized, so you can keep going and still sleep like a dream.
Found in: Kickback – Strawberry Mint Mojito
Reishi Mushroom: The Wind-Down Hero
Often referred to as the “Mushroom of Immortality” in traditional Chinese medicine, Reishi has been used for centuries to promote calmness, balance, and stress relief. It’s a key player in our nighttime mocktail for a good reason.
We pair Reishi with Tart Cherry (a natural source of melatonin) and Magnesium Glycinate to support your body’s natural relaxation response, soothe your muscles, and ease you into restful sleep.
Found in: Unwind – Tart Cherry Shirley
Quality Matters: How We Source Our Functional Mushroom Ingredients
When it comes to functional mushrooms, not all ingredients are created equal. From day one, we were meticulous (in the best way) about choosing mushroom extracts that actually work. Here’s what makes our sourcing different, and why it matters for your mood, focus, and stress relief:
Fruiting Bodies: The Functional Powerhouse
The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom you’d recognize in nature; it’s the cap and stem that grows above ground. It’s also where most of the good stuff (beta-glucans and triterpenes) live, which are the powerful compounds that actually support your mood, stress response, and immune health.
Think of it like the espresso shot in your latte: small, but mighty and absolutely essential. That’s why we made fruiting body extracts the foundation of our formulas.
Mycelium: The Unsung Support System
Mycelium is the root-like network that lives underground. It plays a vital role in mushroom growth, but contains lower levels of the active compounds compared to the fruiting body. Still, it has the value of offering a unique set of supportive properties.
We use both fruiting body and mycelium extracts in our blends to give you a full-spectrum experience because they work better together.
Extracted for Maximum Benefit (Not Raw or Whole)
Raw mushrooms don’t cut it. We use dual-extracted mushroom ingredients, which means the good stuff is pulled out using both hot water and alcohol extraction for higher bioavailability.
It’s kind of like cold brew vs. chewing a whole coffee bean; you want the benefits in a form your body can actually absorb.
One of the most important decisions Taylor and Zack made as founders was to use only fruiting body and mycelium extracts, never raw powders or fillers. Every can of Pesche is intentionally crafted to deliver real, research-backed function, using full-spectrum mushroom extracts for the most effective results.
Because we're not here to sell hype, we’re here to help you feel good.
What Customers Are Feeling with Functional Mocktails
Real Results from Real People
One of the most rewarding parts of building Pesche has been hearing what you feel, whether that's physically, emotionally, or energetically. Every piece of customer feedback validates what we’ve set out to do: create functional mocktails that don’t just taste good, but support real wellness benefits.
From improved sleep quality to lower stress scores and even Oura ring data, you’re telling us that the effects are real and trackable. Each can is crafted to match a different mood, and your experiences prove that intention matters.
Here are just a few things our customers are sharing:
“This was a perfect night cap and honestly gave me one of the best nights of sleep I’ve had in a long while!” - Haley | Unwind – Tart Cherry Shirley
“The kickback is by far my favorite so far! Whether I'm winding down after a long day of work, or catching up with friends this has been my go to!” - Priscilla | Kickback – Strawberry Mint Mojito
“Having adverse effects from alcohol means that whenever drinks are involved, I have to make a choice. Pesche tastes great and had the same “feel” as having a cocktail with friends! The choice just got easy!” - Abra | Lift – Peach Mango Margarita
Your stories make the science personal. Whether you’re sleeping deeper, feeling more resilient, or just showing up fully present, these functional beverages are doing more than quenching your thirst, they’re supporting your goals.
Ready to feel it for yourself? Shop the Mood Mix Starter and pick the can that matches your vibe.