Take some of the stress out of the holidays with THC- and CBD-infused beverages. In a recent report from data analysts, Headset, statistics show that Gen Z consumes 20% less alcohol than Millennials did at the same age.
Sales of no- and low-alcoholic beverages rose 30% in 2020 and are expected to continue to grow 31% by 2024, according to a report by market research firm IWSR. Meanwhile, the U.S. cannabis beverages market grew from $67.8 million in 2019 to $85.2 million in 2020.
There is also an annual uptick in beverage market share during the holiday season.
Even though cannabis beverages have been hyped for the past few years as the next exploding marketplace trend, beginning with Constellation Brands’ acquisition of Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth, the market still hasn’t taken off precisely according to various analysts predictions.
While the category is growing, with unique brands including House of Saka, and Cannacraft’s Gem + Jane, the category as a whole, has yet to rival alcohol or cannabis flower for significant market share.
Prohibition of Interstate cannabis commerce and the lack of state-by-state bottling plant manufacturing contracts currently hinder national launches of cannabevs. Once national distribution becomes available, the market might see an explosion in this category.
Below is a handy guide of cannabevs to explore and which markets they are currently available.
Uncle Arnie’s Iced Tea Lemonade
While most people think of bringing a six-pack of beer or a bottle of wine when heading to a house party that calls for a BYOB, Uncle Arnie’s Iced Tea Lemonade will give you the most bang for your buck.
At approximately $1 per average dose of 10mg, 10 California-based friends can do “shots” of an eight-ounce, $10.00, 100mg bottle!
Talk about value, no wonder it is the top-selling cannabev in California, according to Headset.
The nifty bottle even comes with a built-in ruler on the side, so you can evenly and efficiently pour out 10mg (or more) without any guesswork involved.
Uncle Arnie’s certainly does not claim to be a “health and wellness” drink. It resonates more with legacy cannabis consumers. Although, it does not differ much in calories and sugar than a regular bottle of iced tea (Although probably only B Real could drink an entire bottle!).
Uncle Arnie’s debuted a new flavor Sweet Peach Iced Tea, just in time for the holidays.
CANN Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Founded by Stanford and Harvard graduates, CANN reshapes social drinking with its microdose, non-alcoholic beverages.
Vegan, gluten-free, and with only 35 calories, each CANN has five all-natural ingredients with similar strength to a can of beer or glass of wine.
There are no artificial sweeteners or flavors, sugar substitutes, or cannabis taste.
Each one is microdosed with 1:2 ratio of THC & CBD, so you can(n) enjoy more than one, and experience a light, refreshing social buzz within 10-15 minutes.
CANN comes in a handful of delicious flavors: Lemon Lavender, Blood Orange Cardamom, Grapefruit Rosemary, Grapefruit Rosemary Lite (no sugar added), Ginger Lemongrass (limited edition), Cranberry Sage (limited edition), Yuzu Elderflower in partnership with Sundae School, and Lime Basil in collaboration with Sava.
Sava and Cann, two queer-founded, values-driven companies that emphasize using cannabis for wellness and pleasure as part of a healthy lifestyle.
I was lucky enough to try a CANN of Blood Orange Cardamom on Thanksgiving in a Baccarat whisky tumbler with a rock cube of ice, no less.
It was crisp and refreshing with no weedy aftertaste and included the perfect amount of social lubrication (I had no qualms about consuming it around my friend’s parents).
CANN Social Tonic is currently available in California, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
House of Saka – Mimosa
Saka Mimosa is the perfect breakthrough beverage for the soccer mom set!
Sourced from California’s cool, coastal vineyards, the white bottle discreetly resembles a wine cooler. It can easily be consumed around the in-laws without arousing suspicion.
House of Saka is altogether the opposite concept of Uncle Arnie’s. An entire bottle of Mimosa contains a microdose of 5mg of THC.
Each bottle is a complete serving, as a champagne split of six ounces, or precisely a glass. (A champagne split is a miniature bottle containing around 6.3 ounces, or 187 milliliters of champagne, which is a quarter of the standard bottle of 750 ml.)
If you’re planning a holiday brunch, add to the festivities with a pack of personal-sized, elegant bottles of Mimosa.
MXXN Non-Alcoholic Spirits
MXXN (pronounced “moon”) is available in California and claims to be the first cannabis-infused, spirit industry’s 1:1 non-alcoholic replacement for gin, tequila, and bourbon.
A bottle of MXXN contains 100mg of THC, or approximately 6mg per shot.
MXXN’s Kentucky Oak contains complex notes of charred oak, vanilla, and demerara sweetness.
It is designed to substitute your favorite bourbon. London Dry, with floral aromas of refreshing citrus, juniper, and cucumber, may be substituted for your favorite gin.
Jalisco Agave, containing sweet agave, oaky vanilla, with hints of flint and salt, is a tequila substitute for wherever mocktails are being made.
Levia Flavored Seltzer
Levia is lightly-flavored seltzer or sparkling water. Each flavor is available in 12-ounce skinny cans that contain 5mg of THC.
Levia is also available in water-soluble tinctures in the same formulations.
Levia is currently available in Massachusetts in three flavors: “Achieve” Raspberry Lime (Sativa), “Celebrate” Lemon Lime (Hybrid), and “Dream” Jam Berry (Indica).
Hi5 Seltzers
Hi5 seltzers are zero-calorie, all-natural, and claim to offer a faster onset of THC than most edibles.
Hi5 comes in a variety of flavors and dosing strengths.
Flavors include peach mango, lemon, lime, pomegranate, black cherry, grapefruit, pineapple, and seasonal selections Holiday Mule and Cranberry.
Select Squeeze Beverage Sweetener
Think of Select Squeeze as the cannabis-infused version of Mio or any water or other beverage sweetener.
Turn any drink into a THC-infused experience with this pocket-sized party-enhancer.
Squeeze combines portability, and precise dosing, in easy-to-use liquid form.
The limited-edition Holiday Bundle comes with two flavors, Hint of Sweet and Lemon Lime.
Select’s innovative nanotechnology intends to provide a premium mood set in 15-30 minutes.
Each Squeeze contains 100mg of THC, at 5mg THC per dose.
Squeeze is available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
Whatever your go-to beverage is, from tap water to tequila, there is now a cannabis-infused version to try. Happy holidays!
*All data from CA, CO, MA, NV, OR, WA.
