You’ve had fizzy drinks. You’ve had functional drinks. But have you ever had one that actually gives your brain what it needs to do its best work? Enter Noobeing — the new sparkling soda that’s equal parts smart, refreshing, and genuinely good for you.

I came across Noobeing recently, and honestly, I was intrigued right away. A drink that promises focus, calm and clarity without the sugar overload or crash? It sounded too good to be true. But after cracking open my first can, I completely got it — this is not your average soft drink.

Noobeing is designed for modern humans (read: all of us juggling too much, sleeping too little, and surviving on caffeine). Each lightly sparkling can is infused with Nootonic, a blend of nootropics — natural plant compounds and vitamins that support brain health, mood, and focus. Think of them as nutrients for your neurons. Instead of forcing a buzz, they work with your body to keep you alert, clear-headed, and calm.

Three Smart Flavours, Three Purposes

Noobeing comes in three clever blends, each with a specific mood or moment in mind.

Original – The Calm Reset
For when life’s running hot and you just need a moment to breathe. Original is a soothing blend of South African honeybush, ashwagandha, magnesium, vitamin C, and a full B vitamin complex. It’s a gentle way to reset without completely switching off.

Focus – Your Clarity Companion
My personal favourite. Focus is for those brain-fog moments — back-to-back meetings, deadlines, or study marathons. It builds on the base ingredients of Original, with the addition of bacopa monnieri and L-theanine, two incredible natural compounds known for their ability to sharpen focus and calm the mind (without making you sleepy).

Boost – The Smooth Energy Lift
For when you need a little kick, but want to skip the coffee crash. Boost contains guarana seed extract (a natural source of caffeine at around 80 mg per can) paired with L-theanine to keep your energy steady and smooth. It’s perfect for early mornings, gym sessions, or late-night projects.

All three share the same crisp, refreshing flavour developed with a master oenologist — a mix of honeybush, persimmon and lemon verbena. It’s clean, slightly botanical, and never syrupy. With only 2 grams of natural sugar per 300 ml, it’s a massive upgrade from most iced teas and fizzy drinks.

Why I’m Loving It

Real ingredients, real benefits. Ashwagandha and bacopa are both well-researched adaptogens that help manage stress and support focus — and they’re included here at meaningful levels.

Steady energy, no crash. L-theanine + slow-release guarana = smooth, clear energy with zero jitters.

Locally rooted. I love that Noobeing uses South African-grown honeybush and rooibos — both packed with antioxidants and proudly homegrown.

Everyday drinkability. No artificial sweeteners, colourants or preservatives. It’s as close to “clean” as a soda gets.

As co-founder Jason Thom puts it: “People are juggling are-you-kidding deadlines and a hundred WhatsApp pings before lunchtime. We wanted to create a drink that fits into that chaos and helps your brain keep up.”

Honestly? Mission accomplished.

Wellness That Feels Doable

What I really love about Noobeing is that it makes wellness feel simple. You don’t have to overhaul your diet or remember a 10-step morning routine — you just grab a can from the fridge and go.

Original and Focus are suitable for all ages (yes, even kids who could use a calmer energy source), while Boost is great for teens, students, athletes, and adults looking for a cleaner coffee alternative.

And can we talk about the design? The cans are bright and bold — total fridge eye candy — but the real magic is inside. Light sparkle, gentle botanicals, and that “ahh” feeling without the syrup burn. Someone called it “sophisticated enough for a gin-free G&T,” and I couldn’t agree more.

Where to Find It

You can grab Noobeing from select wellness stores and cafés nationwide or order directly from noobeing.com. Each 300 ml can sells for around R30, which feels fair for something this thoughtfully made.

It’s the kind of drink that fits easily into your day — no fuss, no guilt, just a little brain-loving boost whenever you need it.

Final Sip

Noobeing is part of a growing wave of smarter, more functional drinks — but what makes it stand out is how approachable it is. It’s not trying to be a magic potion or a hardcore energy shot; it’s simply a feel-good, focus-fuelling soda for real people with real lives.

So whether you’re saying nope to brain fog, calming the chaos, or just craving something refreshing and a little bit better for you, Noobeing is your new go-to.