Christine Esposito, Managing Editor11.01.22
Consumers are bellying up the bar, so to speak, for a new kind of drink these days. Cannabis beverage sales in the US topped $421 million in 2021—more than double 2019 figures—and the sector will double again to nearly $1 billion by 2025, according to forecasts from the Brightfield Group.
Despite a lack of clarity from FDA and state-by-state differences in legality, there is a growing cadre of brands selling CBD and cannabis-based beverages. Here are just a few:
Drink Recess Inc. … New York
Recess is sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens like L-theanine and lemon balm. Flavors include coconut lime, blood orange, black cherry chai, peach ginger, pomegranate hibiscus and limited edition “zero proof” margarita.
Day One… Los Angeles
Day One Sparkling CBD Water contains citrus zest and 20mg of broad-spectrum THC-free CBD. Grapefruit, lemon and lime flavors are available from the venture-backed beverage company which is the official CBD brand of USA Pickleball.
Sweet Reason… Canada
Sweet Reason sells sparkling water with 10mg of CBD and “Evening Blends,” which contain 30mg and are meant to replicate the feeling and effect of alcohol, according to the brand.
Cycling Frog… Seattle, WA
This CBD and THC seltzer brand sells THC seltzers in wild cherry, black currant and ruby grapefruit that have 5mg delta-9 THC and 10mg CBD per 12oz can. They are made with 100% hemp extract and all-natural fruit juices and have zero alcohol.
Bayou City Hemp… Houston, TX
This hemp processing and extraction company offers its own CBD seltzer. Its flagship brand, Mixer Elixir Ranch Water seltzer, is a non-alcoholic, zero-calorie and zero-sugar sparkling water that contains 25mg of hemp-derived CBD. Designed to be a ready-to-drink beverage or a cocktail mixer, a nano-emulsion makes it easier for the body to absorb the CBD and feel the effects faster. The seltzer has a crisp, citrus-lime taste and hints of agave.
Trip… United Kingdom
Based in the UK and founded in 2018, CBD brand Trip recently announced a $12 million investment round that will support its continued growth, including in the US. Founded by a husband-and-wife team who met at Cambridge University, Trip offers elderflower mint, peach ginger and lemon basil drinks that contain CBD, as well as L-theanine, chamomile, lemon balm and ginseng. They are designed to be had chilled and consumed straight up or mixed into cocktails.
8th Wonder… Ithaca, NY
8th Wonder Cannabis—a collaboration between 8th Wonder Brewery & Distillery and Bayou City Hemp Company—is the first partnership between a cannabis manufacturer and distributor and brewery in the US. The company is offering cannabis-infused beverages like nano-shots and seltzers under its own label as well as others.
Wynk… Landenberg, PA
Wynk’s THC- and CBD-infused seltzers, which are available in nine states, come in juicy mango, lime twist and black cherry fizz flavors. The 12oz can has a 1:1 ratio of 5mg of THC and CBD, but contains zero sugar, calories or alcohol.
Green Monké… Los Angeles
This maker of cannabis-infused sodas offers flavors such as tropical citrus, orange passionfruit and mango guava. Each 12 oz can contains 3mg THC, 6mg CBD, 5 grams of sugar and 25 calories. The company has inked a partnership with cannabis brand Cookies to co-create and co-brand cannabis-infused drinks for sale at Cookies retail locations. This summer it tapped skateboarder, community organizer, actor and model Briana King (shown) for a custom can design.
Veryvell… Denver, CO
Veryvell is a line of non-alcoholic sparkling CBD beverages exclusively available in Colorado. The drinks are made by Truss CBD USA, a joint venture that’s majority owned by Molson Coors Beverage Company and operated in partnership with Hexo Corp. There are three flavors: Focus (grapefruit tarragon), Mind & Body (strawberry hibiscus) and Unwind (blueberry lavender). Each is infused with 20mg of hemp-derived, non-psychoactive CBD and adaptogens.
Cann… Los Angeles
Cann has four varieties: Social Tonics and Lites, which are 2mg THC and 4mg of CBD; Hi Boys, which have 5mg of THC; and Roadies (2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD), which are liquid sachets that can mixed into another beverage.
Mad Tasty… Newport Beach, CA
This California-based brand sells sparkling waters with 20mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract in a variety of flavors from watermelon to yuzu citrus to Unicorn Tears, which is described as an exotic and mysterious blend of natural fruit flavors.
Despite a lack of clarity from FDA and state-by-state differences in legality, there is a growing cadre of brands selling CBD and cannabis-based beverages. Here are just a few:
Drink Recess Inc. … New York
Recess is sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens like L-theanine and lemon balm. Flavors include coconut lime, blood orange, black cherry chai, peach ginger, pomegranate hibiscus and limited edition “zero proof” margarita.
Day One… Los Angeles
Day One Sparkling CBD Water contains citrus zest and 20mg of broad-spectrum THC-free CBD. Grapefruit, lemon and lime flavors are available from the venture-backed beverage company which is the official CBD brand of USA Pickleball.
Sweet Reason… Canada
Sweet Reason sells sparkling water with 10mg of CBD and “Evening Blends,” which contain 30mg and are meant to replicate the feeling and effect of alcohol, according to the brand.
Cycling Frog… Seattle, WA
This CBD and THC seltzer brand sells THC seltzers in wild cherry, black currant and ruby grapefruit that have 5mg delta-9 THC and 10mg CBD per 12oz can. They are made with 100% hemp extract and all-natural fruit juices and have zero alcohol.
Bayou City Hemp… Houston, TX
This hemp processing and extraction company offers its own CBD seltzer. Its flagship brand, Mixer Elixir Ranch Water seltzer, is a non-alcoholic, zero-calorie and zero-sugar sparkling water that contains 25mg of hemp-derived CBD. Designed to be a ready-to-drink beverage or a cocktail mixer, a nano-emulsion makes it easier for the body to absorb the CBD and feel the effects faster. The seltzer has a crisp, citrus-lime taste and hints of agave.
Trip… United Kingdom
Based in the UK and founded in 2018, CBD brand Trip recently announced a $12 million investment round that will support its continued growth, including in the US. Founded by a husband-and-wife team who met at Cambridge University, Trip offers elderflower mint, peach ginger and lemon basil drinks that contain CBD, as well as L-theanine, chamomile, lemon balm and ginseng. They are designed to be had chilled and consumed straight up or mixed into cocktails.
8th Wonder… Ithaca, NY
8th Wonder Cannabis—a collaboration between 8th Wonder Brewery & Distillery and Bayou City Hemp Company—is the first partnership between a cannabis manufacturer and distributor and brewery in the US. The company is offering cannabis-infused beverages like nano-shots and seltzers under its own label as well as others.
Wynk… Landenberg, PA
Wynk’s THC- and CBD-infused seltzers, which are available in nine states, come in juicy mango, lime twist and black cherry fizz flavors. The 12oz can has a 1:1 ratio of 5mg of THC and CBD, but contains zero sugar, calories or alcohol.
Green Monké… Los Angeles
This maker of cannabis-infused sodas offers flavors such as tropical citrus, orange passionfruit and mango guava. Each 12 oz can contains 3mg THC, 6mg CBD, 5 grams of sugar and 25 calories. The company has inked a partnership with cannabis brand Cookies to co-create and co-brand cannabis-infused drinks for sale at Cookies retail locations. This summer it tapped skateboarder, community organizer, actor and model Briana King (shown) for a custom can design.
Veryvell… Denver, CO
Veryvell is a line of non-alcoholic sparkling CBD beverages exclusively available in Colorado. The drinks are made by Truss CBD USA, a joint venture that’s majority owned by Molson Coors Beverage Company and operated in partnership with Hexo Corp. There are three flavors: Focus (grapefruit tarragon), Mind & Body (strawberry hibiscus) and Unwind (blueberry lavender). Each is infused with 20mg of hemp-derived, non-psychoactive CBD and adaptogens.
Cann… Los Angeles
Cann has four varieties: Social Tonics and Lites, which are 2mg THC and 4mg of CBD; Hi Boys, which have 5mg of THC; and Roadies (2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD), which are liquid sachets that can mixed into another beverage.
Mad Tasty… Newport Beach, CA
This California-based brand sells sparkling waters with 20mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract in a variety of flavors from watermelon to yuzu citrus to Unicorn Tears, which is described as an exotic and mysterious blend of natural fruit flavors.