The best ketone drinks for focus and energy

If you’ve ever hit a wall mid-run or felt your brain fog over halfway through a work session, you know the limits of caffeine and sugar.

But recently, another type of fuel has hit the mainstream: ketones. Your brain and body are hardwired to use them for clean, sustained energy without the jitters or crash.

Beyond fueling your body, ketones also play a role in how it manages energy and recovers. Early research suggests higher ketone levels may help steady blood sugar, support focus during fatigue, and promote better overall energy balance.

Your body naturally produces ketones when breaking down fat for energy, but ketone drinks let you access that same fuel on demand. Here’s what to know about how they work — and the top formulas that stand out this year.

What are ketone drinks?

Ketone drinks are liquid supplements that provide your body with additional exogenous ketones. When you drink one, you’re directly increasing the level of ketones in your bloodstream. This allows you to enter a state of nutritional ketosis quickly, often within 15-60 minutes, without needing to deplete your body’s glycogen stores through fasting or a very low-carb diet. The result is smoother, more sustained energy, especially during long workouts or deep-focus work.

The best ketone drinks in 2025

1.Kenetik

Kenetik leads the next wave of ketone drinks with a patented blend of D-BHB and R-1,3-BDO that pairs noticeable clarity with an unexpectedly clean flavor. Each can delivers 12 grams of ketones in a lightly carbonated formula that’s free from caffeine, sweeteners, and artificial additives.

Kenetik delivers focus without stimulation, clarity without a crash. Its lightly carbonated fruit profile is crisp and refreshing, with none of the medicinal sharpness typical of early ketone formulas.

For daily mental clarity, a mid-afternoon lift, or a clean post-workout recovery, Kenetik stands out as a refined choice in the world of ketone drinks, offering both effectiveness and flavor.

The brand’s new Performance Shots offer the same formula in a 2-ounce format, delivering 10 grams for on-the-go focus.

2. Ketone-IQ

Ketone-IQ is one of the more widely available R-1,3-butanediol drinks. It uses this ketone precursor, which your liver converts into BHB to help raise circulating BHB. The effect tends to build gradually and last several hours, offering a mild, steady lift rather than an immediate performance boost. The flavor is functional rather than sweet, with a bitter finish.

It comes in two versions: No Caffeine (10g ketones per shot) for steady focus, and +Caffeine (5g ketones + 100mg caffeine) for hybrid energy.

Because it’s a precursor-only product, it typically delivers lower peak ketone levels than direct D-BHB or ester formulations.

3. deltaG

Developed from Oxford University research, deltaG was one of the first ketone ester drinks to reach the market. It remains the benchmark for potency, delivering ketone ester in concentrations that raise blood BHB faster and higher than most alternatives.

The brand’s △G Performance bottle contains about 27g of ester e, while △G Tactical ups that to 32g.

The payoff is rapid ketone elevation for glycogen preservation and extreme endurance that athletes and researchers alike continue to rely on. Though the taste is notoriously harsh. Closer to a lab-grade formula than a casual daily drink, but for anyone pushing their physical limits, the performance benefits may be worth it.

4. KEY

KEY Energy uses R-1,3 BDO — a ketone precursor — blended with green tea caffeine and L-theanine for added energy. The result is designed to be a mild dual-fuel effect: part metabolic, part stimulant.

Its flavors — Grapefruit Peach, Ginger Lime, and Pineapple Passionfruit — are crisp and approachable, with a light carbonation designed to make it one of the more drinkable options in the caffeinated category.

It’s best viewed as a cleaner alternative to traditional energy drinks or a second cup of coffee — provided caffeine is what you’re after.

5. Holy Water

A woman-founded, PhD-led brand, Holy Water takes a lifestyle approach to ketone drinks, blending R-1,3 BDO with nootropics, functional mushrooms, and adaptogens. The formula is designed more for general wellness and mood support than for measurable performance outcomes.

Flavors such as Tropical Citrus, Lemon Lime, and Blackberry Lemonade are bright and lightly carbonated, with about 1–4g of sugar per can. The taste is smoother and more approachable than most ketone beverages, though the brand does not disclose the actual ketone content.

The brand’s Microdose line, which includes 10mg THC alongside the core formula, underscores its experimental, lifestyle positioning. Overall, Holy Water is a flavor-forward functional beverage, aimed at consumers looking for functional variety.

6. KetoneAid

KetoneAid’s KE4 Pro sits at the far end of the ketone spectrum – a concentrated ketone ester – and a reference point for research-grade potency. It’s pure function over form, designed for those who want to measure their blood ketones, not their enjoyment.

A few milliliters are enough to produce a sharp rise in BHB, which helps explain both its devoted following and its reputation for a taste that borders on medicinal. Due to its potency, many customers consume as little as 5ml of Ke4 daily when they first start out, meaning a 60ml bottle can last up-to 12 days.

KetoneAid admits the flavor is “rough”. Its latest Very Scary Cherry is said to be an improvement on the original but the brand notes “it still is very rough and more like a shot of apple cider vinegar.”

7. KETOSTART

If your goal is to power through a morning workout on an empty stomach, KETOSTART by Audacious Nutrition is a solid choice. This powdered blend combines beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) salts, caffeine, and electrolytes to support hydration and muscle performance while promoting a steady rise in ketone levels.

Ketostart mixes easily in water and has a mild, tart flavor that’s easy to sip first thing in the morning. GI tolerance can vary with salts and dose, so the brand recommends starting low and assessing.

The benefits of ketone drinks

Your body runs on two main fuels: glucose from carbohydrates and ketones from fat. While glucose is the default, ketones are often seen as the cleaner, more efficient source — producing energy with less oxidative stress and a steadier burn. Elevating ketone levels through diet or supplementation can help support focus, endurance, and metabolic stability.

Here’s where that matters:

• Enhanced Mental Clarity: Research suggests that ketones can improve cognitive performance, especially in demanding tasks. This is the benefit I notice most acutely.
• Improved Physical Endurance: Some studies suggest that for athletes, ketones offer a unique advantage. They can supplement glucose as a fuel source, helping preserve muscle glycogen stores during long workouts.
• Appetite Suppression and Easier Fasting: Ketones have been shown to suppress ghrelin, the “hunger hormone.” This makes ketone drinks a powerful tool for anyone practicing intermittent fasting.
• Cellular signaling and recovery: Beyond serving as fuel, ketones like β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) also act as messengers in the body — sending signals that help reduce inflammation, support cellular repair, and promote recovery after stress or exercise.

Are ketone drinks right for you?

Once a niche supplement for elite athletes, ketone drinks are now used by professionals, creatives, and weekend warriors alike. They’re not a shortcut or substitute for a balanced diet, but they can support mental focus, endurance, and recovery when used strategically.

If you’re new to ketones, start with a clean, approachable formula like Kenetik before moving to higher-concentration options like deltaG or KetoneAid.

Ketone drinks FAQs

Do ketone drinks break a fast?

Technically, no — while they contain calories, ketones don’t trigger a return to glucose metabolism or interrupt the metabolic switch that defines fasting. In fact, recent research shows ketones themselves reinforce many fasting benefits by acting as signaling molecules that support stress resilience and cellular repair.

Can you use ketone drinks without being on a keto diet?

Absolutely. Your body can use ketones for fuel even if you still have glucose in your system (a state called dual-fuel). Many people on standard diets use them for a cognitive boost or pre-workout energy.

Are they safe for long-term use?

Current research suggests exogenous ketones are generally safe for consumption. However, as with any supplement, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.

Do ketone drinks help with weight loss?

Indirectly, yes. They can suppress appetite and provide energy for workouts, but they aren’t a weight-loss product and shouldn’t replace healthy nutrition.