Modeled after junk food; from junk (“worthless or of poor quality”) +‎ drink. The term extends the metaphor of low-quality or unhealthy items from food to beverages, highlighting lack of nutritional value or potential harm.

• IPA^(key): /ˈdʒʌŋk dɹɪŋk/

junk drink (countable and uncountable, plural junk drinks) (occasionally derogatory)

1. (informal) A beverage with little or no nutritional value, often high in sugar, caffeine, or additives.

   Synonym: junk beverage

   He was trying to quit energy drinks and other junk drinks.

   • 2013 February 25, Anthony B. Iton, “Junk-drink industry fuels nation's obesity crisis”, in Capitol Weekly‎^[1], archived from the original on 25 February 2021:

     Last year, as the idea of implementing soda taxes heated up, I noticed the junk drink industry dusting off the same playbook. […] Statewide, 75% believe regularly consuming junk drinks like Coke, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew “definitely increases” a person’s chance of becoming overweight or obese.

   • 2009 July 20, “Junk Drinks Becoming an Issue”, in Prepared Foods‎^[2]:

     Junk drinks—sweetened beverages such as sodas, sugary waters, and sports drinks—may pose even more serious problems in terms of obesity and related health issues.

2. (especially) Any alcoholic beverage, considered harmful, addictive, or of low quality.

   After years of junk drinks and hangovers, she finally gave up alcohol.

   • 2021 May 12, “Alcohol and junk food”, in Hello Sunday Morning‎^[3]:

     Thinking of alcohol as junk food can bring a new perspective to those who are trying to change their drinking habits, and it can strip away a lot of the glamour that the advertisers and sommeliers have sought to instil in their wares.

• junk food
• soft drink
• energy drink
• alcohol