Smoke it. Vape it. Eat it. Drink it. Sometimes it’s still mind-boggling to consider all the ways we can consume legal weed. When early pioneers in the cannabis industry were fighting for legalization, they envisioned a world where people could smoke pot in peace. Now, walk into any dispensary and you are instantly invited to explore cannabis-infused goods that you may have never considered trying before.

If you haven’t yet tried a THC drink, consider adding this to your “must try” list of cannabis-infused goods. Here’s the low-down on the top recommendations for the best THC drinks.

What Are Weed Drinks?

Weed drinks are the overarching term for any cannabis-infused beverage. They don’t contain any alcohol, just THC and possibly other cannabinoids. You can find weed drinks in licensed retail dispensaries, and sometimes available for home delivery. THC drinks have been around for a while now, but brands in the beverage industry have really been working hard to improve the quality and flavor of weed drinks in recent years.

First, the market saw sugary drinks like THC pink drinks that tasted more like kool-aid. The intent was clearly to get you high and not much consideration was given to the overall user experience. Now, brands are focused on providing an enjoyable experience that checks all the boxes for consumer demand. Is it easy to dose? Does it taste good? Is it affordable?

While the market for THC drinks may seem limited to cannabis enthusiasts alone, this market segment is growing to include folks that are looking to experiment with a Cali-sober lifestyle or those wanting to create the perfect cross-fade.

A Better Buzz

The timing of the massive uptick in weed sales is likely linked to a shift that occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While alcohol use initially soared, cannabis sales also saw a massive boost as people navigated the complex changes in society. It’s no surprise that cannabis-infused beverage sales increased 59% from 2020 to 2021, and sales are expected to rise up to nearly $2 billion by 2028.

Swapping alcohol for cannabis is a growing trend, evidenced by personal stories about how people’s quality of life has improved since eliminating booze. Cannabis is an excellent alternative to alcohol and can offer many of the social benefits. THC drinks provide an intoxicating effect, but without the hangover.

A light buzz can offer a little social lubricant for those who need help entering social situations after a lengthy lockdown. With low-dose options, you can sip on a THC drink and feel the slow, steady high come on, offering a noticeable indication to help you decide whether or not you’d like another. Additionally, cannabis offers an altered state of mind without feeling as inebriated as hard liquor.

Of course, you can absolutely get knocked off your feet on weed drinks, and it’s best to proceed with caution. While delicious, if you are chugging THC drinks and not waiting to feel the effects before cracking open another one, it’s likely that you’ll end up feeling uncomfortably high. Sip slowly and enjoy the experience while waiting for the THC to kick in. After about an hour or two you should be able to tell whether or not you want or need more to feel your desired effect. Remember the golden rule: you can always drink more, but you can't drink less.

Best THC Drinks

From infused seltzers to hard kombuchas, cold brews, and iced teas—there are plenty of options to choose from in the dispensary beverage cooler. We’ve reviewed a selection of some of the finest options on the market and have chosen our top three.

Pabst Labs

Your favorite Blue Ribbon now has a weed drink. Pabst Labs launched into the California cannabis market in 2020 with their flagship product, PBR High Seltzer. Touted as offering a “different kind of buzz,” High Seltzer is a 10 mg THC drink in a slim 12 oz. can. Capitalizing on the flavored seltzer craze, these carbonation wizards know how to make a bubbly beverage.

Perfect for your next lake day, backyard barbeque, or any Sunday Funday, these drinks are available in four flavors. Choose from Strawberry Kiwi, Lemon, Passion Fruit Pineapple, or Mango Blood Orange and prepare to be wowed. Pabst Labs remains true to the PBR roots with the affordability and drinkability of this new cult favorite.

California customers can get PBR High Seltzers delivered, or you can find a retailer in their area.

Not Your Father’s Root Beer

Root beer lovers rejoice over this perfectly-sweet soda. Much like PBR High Seltzer, this drink was originally alcoholic.  Now, you can find Not Your Father’s Root Beer in a THC version using the same nanotechnology they used to create High Seltzer.

Enjoy this 10 mg any way you’d enjoy root beer. Sip it straight out of the bottle, pour it over ice, or treat yourself to a buzzed-up root beer float.

California customers can get Not Your Father’s Root Beer delivered.

St. Ides Shots

St. Ides is best known for its high-end, tobacco-free blunts but seized the opportunity to enter the THC drink game with their fruit-flavored shots. Packaged in 4 oz. bottles like a small energy drink, the St. Ides Shots are seriously strong. Each bottle contains 100 mg THC, so even a small sip has the potential to send you to the couch if you’re not familiar with weed drinks.

Shots are the perfect mocktail mixer and come in Watermelon, Blue Razz, and Strawberry Lemonade. With three flavors to choose from, you can mix up multiple cocktails for you and your friends at your next get-together. Two teaspoons equal approximately 8 mg THC, which is a great place to start per drink. Mix with sparkling water, soda, juice, or tonic to create any drink you’d like.

California customers can get St. Ides shots delivered, or you can find a retainer in your area.

Where to Buy THC Drinks

Next time you hit a dispensary, check out the list of retailers carrying PBR High Seltzer. Or, shop online to get your THC drinks delivered, and let the party come to you. Each of these items is available to Californians in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

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