The rise of CBD shows no signs of slowing down, and the industry’s most innovative brands are constantly bringing new and exciting products to market. As a complement to CBD edibles, we now have CBD drinks, which offer a convenient and tasty way to get your daily dose of CBD!
In this comprehensive guide to CBD drinks, I’ll show you how they work and explore what makes an excellent CBD beverage. But before we delve into the finer details, let’s start with a look at the five best hemp-derived CBD drinks available today.
1. Wyld CBD Sparkling Water
Enjoy a THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD experience with these light and flavorful sparkling water beverages from Wyld CBD! Infused with 25mg of USA-sourced hemp extract, this CBD drink product is supremely therapeutic, with the entourage effect coming into play.
Made with real fruit, Wyld CBD’s drinks have an authentic, natural taste and a delightfully fizzy kick. With no more than 2g of sugar per can, these drinkables are healthy, too! Third-party approved and with no detectable THC, this is a great CBD option if you have drug test concerns.
Flavors: Blackberry, Blood Orange, Lemon, Raspberry
2. Recess CBD Sparkling Water
Relax, unwind, and bask in the soothing effects of CBD with this sparkling water from Recess. Each 12oz can is infused with 10mg broad-spectrum hemp extract, composed mostly of CBD but also some minor cannabinoids.
Recess also blends L-theanine extract, American ginseng, and lemon balm into its sparkling water, promoting focus, anxiety relief, and equilibrium. This hemp and adaptogen drink contains no added sugars and a mere 20 calories. Third-party tested with no detectable THC.
Flavors: Black Chai, Black Cherry, Blood Orange, Coconut Lime, Peach Ginger, Pomegranate Hibiscus
3. CBDfx Chill Shots
One of the older brands in the legal hemp industry, CBDfx has numerous CBD products you can count on – these broad-spectrum, vegan-friendly Chill Shots are no exception!
Loaded with 20mg hemp extract, and 200mg of calming L-theanine, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B, this drinkable is about much more than just CBD.
With zero-detectable THC, CBDfx’s Chill Shots are safe for drug tests. They also don’t use any artificial sweeteners or added sugars. USA-made and regularly third-party tested by SC Labs.
Flavors: Berry Chill Shot, Lemonade Chill Shot
4. Nu-X Relax CBD Shots
Take the edge off your day and alleviate stress and anxiety with these Nu-X Relax CBD Shots. Packed with 30mg full-spectrum CBD extracted from non-GMO hemp and anti-inflammatory turmeric, Nu-X’s shots provide a relaxing, therapeutic, and delicious experience.
As a full-spectrum product, this drinkable contains secondary cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in addition to CBD, ramping up the health effects. Nu-X’s Relax CBD shot is blueberry-flavored and comes in a 2oz bottle. Third-party approved with no detectable THC.
5. CBD American Shaman Sparkling Water
Last, on the list, we have a sparkling water product from CBD American Shaman – but make no mistake, it’s still a very impressive drinkable! Each 250ml can have 10mg of CBD-rich nano-hemp extract and vitamin C.
Fizzy and full of natural flavor, this sparkling water is sure to get your taste buds tingling and keep you coming back for more. Made with 99% juice, you won’t even notice the usually earthy and pungent hemp.
This CBD drinkable is distributed by Shaman Botanicals in Kansas City, contains less than 0.3% THC and has passed internal and third-party lab tests.
Flavors: Watermelon / Strawberry Lime, Coconut / Grapefruit
What are CBD Drinks?
CBD drinks are edible products made with cannabidiol (CBD) extract derived from hemp, consisting of less than 0.3% THC. Generally described as drinkables, CBD-infused beverages offer users a convenient and lowkey way to enjoy the benefits of CBD in a product type that delivers long-lasting effects.
The highest quality CBD drinks typically consist of other therapeutic extracts as well as hemp. L-theanine, a soothing amino acid, is often present, and it’s not uncommon to see the likes of American ginseng and turmeric. Popular CBD drinks include still water, sparkling water, and shots.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from the cannabis plant that has taken the world by storm over the past decade. Renowned for its therapeutic properties and regulating effect on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD is the complete opposite of THC.
Researchers have demonstrated that CBD is a CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist and a FAAH enzyme inhibitor. The latter action blocks the breakdown of anandamide, an endocannabinoid associated with pleasure, motivation, and appetite.
While millions of Americans take CBD for various reasons, the substance has few medicinal uses. Indeed, at this stage, CBD-based drugs have only received FDA approval for treatment-resistant epilepsy.
However, CBD advocates are optimistic the cannabinoid could help with inflammation, anxiety, depression, and more. In comparison with other classes of compounds, cannabinoids are unique in that they have a significant effect on the ECS.
Types of hemp extract found in CBD drinks
The effects of CBD drinks vary slightly depending on the type of hemp extract used. All three of the following hemp extracts have distinct advantages, hence why they all serve a purpose in the CBD industry.
CBD-isolate: Heard good things about CBD but aren’t sure about the other cannabinoids? Then try a CBD beverage made with CBD-isolate extract. These drinks separate the CBD from the rest of the hemp, promoting a pure CBD experience without a trace of THC.
Full-spectrum hemp: Maximize the beneficial effects of hemp with a full-spectrum CBD drink. This type of beverage doesn’t just have CBD but an array of secondary cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBD), trace levels of THC, and a helping of therapeutic terpenes. Full-spectrum CBD drinks are even more effective because of their entourage effects.
Broad-spectrum hemp: If full-spectrum sounds good but can’t risk even a tiny amount of THC due to drug tests, then broad-spectrum CBD drinks will suit you perfectly.
Still loaded with minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, broad-spectrum beverages are more effective than CBD-isolate drinks if a little bit more expensive. Crucially, they don’t have a hint of THC.
The legal status of CBD drinks
Hemp-derived CBD drinks are legal throughout the United States, but marijuana-derived CBD drinks are not. Per the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill), hemp and hemp-based products must have less than 0.3% THC.
The law is somewhat absurd, given CBD from hemp and CBD from marijuana are the same cannabinoid. Yet the former is legal while the latter is classified as a Schedule 1 drug! But that’s why manufacturers of hemp-based CBD drinks go the extra mile to point this out and show that their products have zero or minimal amounts of THC.
However, when the federal government legalized hemp, it did not limit how much CBD can be present in hemp-based products. Therefore, highly-concentrated products, such as CBD drinks, are completely legal!
What to Look For When Buying CBD Drinks
The CBD market has become much more professional in recent years, thanks to CBD going mainstream. But there’s still one frustrating reality: CBD drinks and other hemp-derived products are unregulated.
With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not setting quality standards, the CBD industry is vulnerable to scammers. As a customer, you must be slightly more careful than usual when buying CBD drinks.
Furthermore, not all CBD drinks are the same. Not all brands use the same type of hemp extract, and some companies add in other natural extracts, which may or may not be to your liking.
Here are a few things to remember when shopping for CBD water or shots.
Third-party lab reports
Verifying that your CBD beverage has passed third-party testing is more important than anything else. While not legally required, every legit hemp company goes along with the process, which gives customers independent guarantees of safety, legality, and quality.
Proud brands are eager to show their CBD is among the best on the market. But third-party testing and transparency are like kryptonite for cowboy companies working scams.
When buying CBD drinks, look out for a third-party lab report or a certificate of analysis, as it’s sometimes called. These should be found on the product page or another part of the vendor’s website. An easy-to-find lab report often indicates that a brand is legit.
Cannabinoid makeup and potency
Always check the potency and type of hemp extract used in a CBD drink. As CBD is a biphasic compound, low quantities can be stimulating and focus-enhancing, while larger doses are typically more relaxing.
Also, products containing full-spectrum hemp will have stronger effects than products made with CBD isolate. No amount of CBD will get you stoned, but high doses can make you drowsy and sleepy.
Stay alert for products with delta-8, a legal and increasingly popular hemp cannabinoid that does produce psychoactive effects. Brands should be clear about whether their CBD drinks contain delta-8.
Terpenes
Full and broad-spectrum CBD drinks also have terpenes, which hold substantial sway over a product’s effects. CBD companies should state if a drink has to energize or relaxing properties – indeed, some brands manufacture a range of beverages with a variety of effects.
Terpenes often go under the radar but shouldn’t be ignored. After all, nobody wants to gulp down a caffeine-like CBD beverage when getting ready for bed!
Other ingredients
L-theanine, lemon balm, and American ginseng are just a few of the non-hemp ingredients you can expect to see on a CBD drink ingredients list.
Companies don’t add these for the sake of it – they are there to provide a therapeutic boost and tailor an experience in a certain way. For instance, CBD beverages with the L-theanine amino acid are more relaxing than CBD drinks without it.
You may want a plain hemp-infused drink or an innovative product that harnesses the potential of other extracts. Either way, make sure you know what’s in your drink before buying!
How to Store Your CBD Drinks
I recommend storing CBD drinks in the refrigerator. Whichever way you choose to store them, you’ll need a dark, cool place away from direct sunlight to stop light degradation.
If planning to drink your beverage in multiple servings, ensure you securely reattach the bottle cap after use. Otherwise, oxidation could cause CBD cannabinoids to degrade, leading to a loss of potency.
Although non-intoxicating, CBD drinks are for adult consumption only. Store out of reach of children!
How Long Do CBD Drinks Last?
CBD drinks work like an edible, so anticipate effects lasting for up to eight hours. The gradual release of CBD into your bloodstream means you won’t feel relief instantly, but the benefits will endure throughout the day or night.
Drinking CBD on an empty stomach can speed up the onset of effects. Thankfully, unlike THC, the body doesn’t appear to build a tolerance to CBD. Daily users should be able to take the same amount every day without experiencing a drop-off in effects.
Purchasing CBD Drinks Online vs. Shops Near Me
Now CBD has gone mainstream, and numerous vendors are trying to get on the bandwagon and cash in. You might find CBD drinks at your local convenience store, gas station, or health shop. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of any shop selling CBD nowadays!
But there’s no better place to buy CBD beverages online and from a vendor specializing in hemp-derived CBD products. Purchasing from online retailers who understand CBD products inside out makes things simple.
Top vendors only stock the best third-party tested products. In addition, online stores also have more variety than brick-and-mortar retailers that might only have CBD shots from one or two brands. And since online stores have fewer operational expenses, CBD drinks from these vendors are nearly always cheaper.
