Best Cannabis Beverages For Summer (Or Any Time)

As the cannabis industry continues to grow, a new category of products has emerged – cannabis beverages. Cannabis-infused beverages offer a convenient, discreet, and delicious way to consume cannabis, without the need to smoke or vape. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best cannabis beverages on the market and what makes them stand out.

How Are Cannabis-Infused Drinks Made?

In an except from a recent article published in Eating Well magazine (April 2023), the writers discuss how most cannabis drinks are made:

“To infuse beverages with cannabis, a cannabis extract is required, which is created by adding liquid carbon dioxide to raw cannabis materials under immense pressure and heat. Ultimately, the carbon dioxide is released as a gas and the concentrated cannabis extract remains. Then, a process called Nano emulsion takes place, which breaks the cannabis oil down into nanoparticles that are blended with the given liquid base for the cannabis-infused drink being produced.

How Much Should I Consume?

The Eating Well article goes on to note: If you are new to cannabis beverages, it is best to start with lower dose, if possible, or go slow on your consumption intake until see how you feel (each body reacts to THC levels differently). Most cannabis producers suggest an average recommended serving for cannabis drinks as generally 5 to 10 milligrams of THC per serving. For newbies, it is best to “microdose: with 2-5 milligrams. This may be the equivalent effect of consuming one alcoholic beer or a potency beverage.

Effects of cannabis-infused drinks can start within 10 to 15 minutes – reaching their “peak” in about 45 minutes or so. Again, tolerance and effect levels will vary by individual.

What To Look For In A Cannabis Beverage

When choosing a cannabis beverage, there are several factors to consider, including:

Dosage: Cannabis beverages are available in a range of dosages, from low-dose to high-dose including high-concentrated syrups. It’s important to choose a product with a dosage that aligns with your experience level and desired effects.
Flavor: Cannabis beverages are available in a range of flavors, from fruity to herbal. Choose a product with a flavor that you enjoy.
Quality: Look for brands that use high-quality cannabis and all-natural ingredients. It’s also important to choose a product that has been tested for purity and potency available in licensed cannabis dispensaries like KOLAS.
Onset time: Cannabis beverages can take anywhere from 15-60 minutes before effects are felt. Some brands will list the actual onset variables on the product itself, but it is always a good idea to reference their websites.

What Are Some of the Best Cannabis Beverages for Me?

New cannabis-infused beverages are hitting the market constantly, so there is no shortage of variety. Here’s a list of some popular brands that are sure to wet your whistle and get your summer off to a fun and refreshing start.

Lightning Drops Lemon Mate 100mg THC + 100mg caffeine

A cannabis drink designed for the “connoisseur” — a better tasting, high-dose and purposefully powerful beverage infused with natural energy from yerba mate (caffeine).
With 100MG of THC, this delicious drink pairs flavor with force and a jolt of natural energy (feels equivalent to 1.5 cups of coffee). It’s blended with real lemon, ginger juice and mate for a tantalizing tea taste with a hint of bergamot.
Start slow because Lightning doesn’t.

Ides Shots 100mg THC

A heavy hitter – so don’t let the little size fool you. Each 4oz bottle packs 100MG of THC with 3 different flavor varieties: Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Razz, and Watermelon.
ST IDES shots work quicker than an average edible and allow for the most efficient absorption into your system thanks to emulsion technology. Flavorful, clean, and with no powerful or bitter aftertaste.

Ides Teas 100mg

These hitters pack 100MG of THC and smack as hard as your favorite throwback iced tea. The special proprietary formula features nano emulsion tech designed for rapid onset that’ll get you where you want to be in no time.

Drink chilled or mix and get creative with it.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Infused Daytime Guava Singles 15mg and 10mg THC + 5mg THCv

Pabst Blue Ribbon Cannabis-Infused Seltzer offers more
than a high, but a social experience, made by a brand
that is trusted for generations.

Also, it uniquely blends 10mg of THC with 5mg of THCv –a potential appetite suppressant and natural energizer that may combat some of the psychoactive effect of THC including the nervous and anxious side effects.
Lightly flavored and sweetened, carbonated seltzer beverage – and great for sippers and beginners!

Lime Syrup 1000mg THC (concentrate)

Lime syrup is a sweet, thick, viscous THC-infused liquid that mixes cannabis concentrates and other ingredients. It resembles cough syrup in texture and is a quick way of consuming cannabis in various ways:

Mix it with your favorite beverage, as you can add it to almost any drink (be careful with an alcohol mixture!). Watch your doses, as this is high-potency concentrated syrup.
Drink it like an edible but be very careful of its high-potency – less is more (1-2 spoonfuls for cannabis veterans; much less for newbies).
Under the tongue like a tincture for faster effect. One more time – go slow…
Cooking with syrup opens up a world of delectable possibilities from desserts to salad dressings to meat glazes.