What to Drink Instead of Coffee in the Afternoon

It arrives at roughly the same time every day. Somewhere between lunch and the end of the working day, attention drifts, the screen blurs a little and the kettle starts calling. For many of us the reflex is a second (or third) coffee. But if you'd rather not add more caffeine to your afternoon, there are gentler ways to take a proper pause.

Why the afternoon slump happens

Most people notice a natural dip in alertness in the early afternoon. Long stretches of screen work, a heavy lunch and a morning of back-to-back tasks all play their part. Reaching for something warm is a sensible instinct: the act of stepping away, boiling the kettle and holding a cup is a break in itself. The question is simply what goes in the cup.

Caffeine-free drinks to reach for instead

Herbal teas (more accurately called herbal infusions) are naturally caffeine-free, so you can enjoy them through the afternoon and into the evening. A few herbs are particularly good company for focused work:

• Peppermint — cool, clean and bright. Peppermint has been enjoyed across cultures for centuries and is the classic choice when you want something refreshing.
• Rosemary — long known as the herb of remembrance. Students in ancient Greece were said to wear rosemary while they studied, and it has a long association with clarity and focus in herbal tradition.
• Ginseng — used for centuries in traditional herbal practice, particularly in Eastern traditions, where it has long been associated with alertness and stamina.
• Hibiscus and rosehip — tart, fruity and ruby-red. They give a cup colour and brightness, which makes the pause feel like an occasion rather than a habit.
• Orange peel — a zesty, aromatic lift that rounds everything off.

These six herbs are exactly what we blend together in Focus Tea No.02, a bright, refreshing loose leaf tea made with organic herbs and created for study sessions, deep work and the long afternoon.

A five-minute afternoon reset

The drink is only half of it. The other half is the pause. Try this the next time the slump arrives:

1. Step away from the screen. Even a few metres makes a difference.
2. Heat your water to 90°C, just off the boil. Boiling water can make mint and citrus notes taste harsh.
3. Add one teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 250ml, cover your cup and steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
4. While it steeps, set one intention for your next block of work. One task, not ten.
5. Sip slowly, then return to your desk.

It sounds simple because it is. The ritual gives your afternoon a clear beginning, and a caffeine-free cup means you can repeat it as often as you like without worrying about your evening.

Can you drink herbal tea every afternoon?

Many people make an afternoon herbal tea a daily ritual. As with any herbal tea, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, please check with your doctor first.

Try it for yourself

Focus Tea No.02 brings peppermint, hibiscus, rosehip, ginseng, orange peel and rosemary together in one pouch. Each 75g pouch makes around 30 cups, and every pack comes with a QR code that unlocks a short guided meditation to accompany your pause.

Want to try more than one blend? The Botanist Duo lets you pair Focus with Calm for the evening, with free UK delivery included.