Drinking weed has become much more attractive in recent years. Early attempts were oily, full of buds, or didn’t get you high. Now, brands have perfected the art of THC infusion, and beverage makers are staking their claim on this market sector. There’s much to love about this social form factor. If you have yet to try THC drinks, let us inspire you to crack a can, pop a bottle, take a shot, make a mocktail and start sipping. Here are the best THC drinks of 2022.
THC drinks used to feel dangerous. How could you just drink weed? Won’t you get too high? Is the weed mixed in evenly? Consumers that had bad experiences with a bite of a weed edible definitely weren’t ready to risk it all with an entire container of nebulous liquid THC. Yet, the science of nanotechnology changed the game.
So, how are weed drinks made? THC is a fat-soluble compound, but it needs to be water soluble to infuse into drinks. A nano-emulsion process reduces the particle size so it can fully emulsify into liquid. This nanoemulsion serves multiple purposes. Because the THC is totally emulsified, an even amount of THC is dispersed into the beverage, so you get a steady high as you sip. It also makes THC drinks taste much more delicious and less like hash.
The biggest draw to nanoemulsifying THC drinks is the increased bioavailability. The bioavailability increases the absorption rate so that you can feel the effects quicker. For example, most THC drinks will kick in within 15-20 minutes, with a smooth onset. Compare that to edibles that can take over an hour to work and sometimes leave you completely smashed all at once. It’s a bit less predictable. THC drinks offer a steady high with a quicker offset. Within 90 minutes of your first drink, you’ll be able to decide if you want another one.
The social acceptability of cannabis use has evolved significantly. Legalization made it “okay” to get high, and the friendly, approachable brands flooding dispensary shelves normalized buying cannabis. Even more, the last several years navigating a global pandemic caused weed sales to skyrocket as dispensaries remained open as essential businesses.
Yet, social distancing meant fewer people were passing joints but still looking for ways to have that shareable cannabis experience. THC drinks are the perfect answer. Having a personal beverage allows everyone to share in the moment and relax. We are social creatures, and we crave gatherings where we can connect with our friends and families over shared interests. When that shared interest is cannabis, weed drinks are a perfect choice.
State laws limit how many milligrams of THC a single product can contain. While this might seem restrictive, it’s actually not an imposition for THC beverage makers who know that the average cannabis user isn’t interested in tossing back 30, 50, or 100 mg of THC in one go. Sure, some are, and some beverages accommodate that. But consider a scenario where THC drinks are consumed in place of alcohol. Most people want to have two or three drinks without getting so inebriated that they can’t enjoy the party.
Weed brands know this and capitalize on low-dose options so you can have a few without ending up passed out on the lawn. This typically means anywhere from 2-10 mg THC per serving. Catch a buzz, unwind, and most importantly – skip the hangover. Perhaps the biggest benefit to weed drinks is that you can enjoy them for the duration of a social event and wake up feeling refreshed the next day.
If you’re ready to throw a weed-themed event, or just host a hang without the booze, here are the top THC drinks you must try. And hey, if you like mixing THC and alcohol for the perfect crossfade, each of these drinks makes the perfect mixer.
Seeing the massive potential in the THC sparkling seltzer market, the famous blue ribbon beer makers spun up a new company. Pabst Labs entered the market in 2020 to bring their carbonated beverage expertise into the cannabis industry. PBR High Seltzer offers consumers a “different kind of buzz” in their low-calorie drinks. The flavors are unique and refreshing, and the high is right for any social occasion.
Dosage: 10mg THC per 12 oz. can.
Flavors: Lemon, Mango Blood Orange, Strawberry Kiwi, and Passion Fruit Pineapple.
Price: Pricing starts at $5/can to build your own 6-pack, with 4-pack and 24-pack options available.
Where to find: PBR High Seltzer is available throughout California, with delivery options to select locations.
Wynk entered the market in 2018 with an incredibly unique business model. Instead of the incredible expense of licensing in multiple states, they set up shop and partnered with distributors. How do they do it? With the Wynk Wagon! They haul their equipment on an 18-wheeler and bring their factory to the market. Their line of -infused sparkling seltzers offers users a low-dose option that provides just the right amount of chill in every can. Both dosages contain a balanced blend of THC and CBD.
Dosage: 2.5mg THC and 2.5mg CBD, and the second option in 5mg THC and 5mg CBD. Both come in an 8 oz. can.
Flavors: Lime Twist, Black Cherry Fizz, and Juicy Mango.
Price: Prices vary slightly state to state, but per can price is between $5-$7.
Where to find: Wynk is currently available in 10 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
You may recognize St. Ides for their infused blunts and pre-rolled joints, but they recently entered the THC beverage market with a highly potent shot. The packaging is reminiscent of a gas station energy drink, but this banger packs a punch of 100mg THC in a single 4 oz. bottle. These are perfect for anyone with a high tolerance, but they also make a pretty mean THC mocktail when mixed with juice, seltzer, and other mixers.
Dosage: 100mg THC in a 4 oz. bottle.
Flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Razz, and Watermelon.
Price: $10 per bottle.
Where to find: St. Ides is available throughout California. Shop online and order delivery.
In a similar story to Pabst, Not Your Father’s Root Beer was originally a hard-soda brand running out of an Illinois-based brewery. You can still find the alcohol-based root beer, but the brand branched out into the weed world. Now, you can find a THC-infused version and really be floating high. Could there be a more perfect way to enjoy a root beer float?
Dosage: 10mg THC in a 12 oz. bottle.
Flavors: Root beer.
Price: $6 per bottle.
Where to find: Not Your Father’s Root Beer is available in California. Shop online and have it dropped right at your door.
If you’re looking for a reliable, discreet way to enjoy weed, then THC drinks are a must. It’s the most chill way to enjoy cannabis socially without smoking or waiting forever for the edibles to kick in. Dare we say it might be the healthiest way to get high? It’s certainly the most fun. Check out all of the above and explore a new way to get lifted.
Since its launch in May 2020, California-based beverage company Uncle Arnie’s has shot to the top of the list of best-selling weed drinks. With over one million units sold since then, Uncle Arnie’s produces four out of the top five best-selling cannabis infused beverages in California. In addition to its success in California, Uncle Arnie’s
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