If it's legal where you live, you could use kratom instead. It doesn't really cause intoxication, and the only outwardly noticeable side effects are "over-caffeination." It tends to interact with alcohol, so don't take both at once.

At low doses it's like coffee, and at higher doses it causes intense euphoria. Just be careful not to use it all the time, because it's slightly addictive.

I don't consume much alcohol myself, being a saint and all.