These days it's as common to see people swigging hard seltzers and zero-proof cocktails at happy hour as it is to see them sipping cosmos and espresso martinis.

With drinking culture being transformed by wellness trends and more mindful consumption habits, bars across the country -- from gritty dives to high-end taverns -- are changing, too, leaning into bubblier drinks, canned cocktails and Dry Tais instead of Mai Tais.

As both a stubborn barfly and a former bartender, I've long resisted the shift away from boilermakers, buybacks and the siren songs of Irish whiskey shots. To understand the modern bar, I tried a number of newfangled beverages (and loved a few!). Here are some favorites to consider stocking in your home bar, or to look out for at a bar near you.

Cannabis Drinks

The budding retail cannabis industry got a major lift in 2018, when a bill passed with a loophole that allowed hemp-derived THC beverages to hit grocery shelves and lowboy fridges. The category now includes wine, sparkling waters, seltzers and coffee.

While some drinks emphasize a stony groove, others appear with wellness-themed marketing about hangover-free consumption. A personal favorite are the slickly-packaged cans from Nowadays ($32 for 6). Sold in punchy flavors like Spicy Lime and Citrus, they offer a refreshing bite and deliver a slow-and-steady buzz.

When shopping for cannabis drinks, look for THC percentages and dosing instructions on the packaging. Always start small. At 5 mg and 10 mg of THC per can, the cannabis content of Nowadays drinks is at the lower end of the spectrum.

Zero-Proof Cocktails

Perhaps the most noticeable edit on bar and restaurant menus in the past decade has been the addition of drinks with either little or no alcohol. Not only have they made bars more inviting to the growing number of people cutting back on booze, but, for drinkers like me, these beverages can be a great break between rounds of stiffer cocktails.

A standout zero-proof cocktail is the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni ($40 for 6). It's a great aperitif cocktail with effervescence and a calibrated bitter finish that will ring familiar to fans of traditional Negronis.

New-Age Bubbles

Another way that drink culture has wildly diverged from Jameson shots of yore is in the embrace of functional additives like plant-derived adaptogens and nootropics, which promise clarity, focus and calm. The nonalcoholic spritzes from Aplós ($16 for 4) are a refreshing and easy-to-drink offering in this category. Among the brand's options is a zero-proof Negroni containing lion's mane, a mushroom said to promote brain and nerve health.

Tepache, a fermented Mexican pineapple beverage that has recently gone mass-market, is another drink with purported wellness benefits that include gut health. Ancient in origin, it can be mixed with spirits or enjoyed on its own. I'm fond of De La Calle Tepache ($37 for 12), which comes in a variety of unsung flavors like chamoy, hibiscus and prickly pear.

Hard Seltzers

The canned hard-seltzer category has exploded in popularity in recent years, with offerings from brands as varied as Bud Light and Michelob to Crystal Light and SunnyD. Similar to light beer, many hard seltzers are around 5% alcohol-by-volume -- a middle ground between nonalcoholic options and boozier drinks.

With a slightly higher price-tag, the low-sugar, gluten-free High Noon hard seltzers ($17 for 8) have emerged as a favorite for all-day barbecues and beach days alike. Instead of malt, the drinks use real liquors like vodka and tequila, along with real fruit juice. Flavors include pineapple, black cherry, and my favorite, grapefruit -- which is tart without being overly sweet.

Orange Wine

Another very old drink that has found new fans is orange wine, which has ascended as a rosé alternative. Orange wine tends to have bold flavors and to pair well with a range of foods. Gulp Hablo ($15) is a variety making appearances at dinner parties and on social-media feeds -- and for good reason: It's eminently drinkable, with notes of dried citrus and a nice salty finish.

A Celebrity Spirit That's Worth It

The crowded field of celebrity-backed spirits is generally one that I avoid. But Pantalones Tequila ($40), co-founded by Matthew McConaughey, has become an exception.

When I first tasted the brand's Blanco tequila last year, I was surprised by its pleasant notes of lime and its light spice. It has a simple profile that makes it great for mixing into a Paloma, topping with soda or throwing into a margarita. The tequila's pedigree also makes it a conversation starter, and a good gift.