Finding the Best CBD Infused Drinks for Every Occasion by Candace Osmond at CBD Origin
So, you’ve heard all the buzz about CBD-infused drinks, right? Whether you’re a longtime CBD fan or haven’t dipped your toes in the cannabinoid waters. There’s something new to be learned about why our society loves this non-addictive, non-psychoactive substance.
I will describe what CBD does and how to scope out the best CBD drinks. Lastly, I’ll give you my suggestions for the 7 best CBD-infused drinks I’ve ever found based on their taste, popularity, and effectiveness. Let’s dive in.
Top 3 Picks
I’m a massive fan of all 7 CBD-infused drinks mentioned below, but these 3 stand out to me as the best. In terms of the most trusted brand, the best flavor, and the best choice for beginners, these 3 take the stage.
- Best Brand: Aplós
- Best Flavor: Rhythm CBD Seltzers
- Best for Beginners: Recess Sparkling Water
What Are CBD Infused Drinks?
CBD infused drinks contain and offer the effects of cannabidiol (CBD.) CBD is the second most significant ingredient in marijuana. Still, it doesn’t have any of the psychoactive properties that marijuana has. In other words, CBD won’t get you high; however, you still need to be 18 or older to buy it.
Pros and Cons to CBD Infused Drinks
Before I ingest it, I like to consider the pros and cons of a mind-alternating substance, albeit a perfectly legal one. CBD is legal because you won’t be impaired by the chemical, but what exactly does it do? Find out below.
Pros
- Helps with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other ailments
- Calms your nerves using a natural ingredient
- You won’t be impaired from taking CBD
- CBD is a fast-acting substance, even if consumed through food or drink
Cons
- CBD can interact negatively with certain medications
- CBD can make some people feel drowsy
Will CBD Drinks Make You Feel Sleepy or High?
CBD makes you feel calm. CBD can’t make you feel high, no matter how much of it you take, because it doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces a high feeling.
On the other hand, CBD can make you sleepy. Since you’re in such a calm state and your body feels so relaxed, that can make you tired. Don’t forget that sometimes CBD can make you sleepy if you take other medications with it.
What to Look for in a CBD Infused Drink
Since I’d like to consider myself a CBD drink connoisseur, I’m going to give you a detailed breakdown of what you should look for in the best CBD drinks. CBD drinks have become wickedly popular in recent years, so there are a ton of sellers out there. With that, lots of great CBD drinks have come out, and lots of 1-star drinks have come out, too. I’ll help you determine the winners.
Taste
It’s a drink, so it’s got to taste good, right? I love to check the reviews of a specific CBD drink online to see if people have said it tastes good. If a particular drink tastes weird, I can assure you someone has said something. If you can’t find any reviews on a CBD drink website, check Reddit.
Flavors
Choosing a brand with many flavors almost guarantees a flavor you like. Some companies only offer one flavor, but they’ve perfected it, so don’t discount them, either. If you can, get smaller sizes of lots of different flavors to find the one you like most.
Trusted Brand
It is essential to buy CBD-infused drinks from a trusted brand. Don’t waste your money unless a CBD company is officially licensed and has high-rated reviews. CBD drinks from unlicensed companies can even be dangerous.
Safe
Whatever you do, please don’t consume someone’s homemade CBD drink-concoction. Buying CBD drinks from reputable brands, in restaurants, at spas, and in reputable stores cuts out any amount of risk.
CBD Levels
Unless you’re a CBD expert, start with CBD drinks that contain between 15 to 30 milligrams. Eventually, you can move up to drinks that contain 30 to 50 milligrams. Still, it’s a good idea, to begin with, a lower dosage when you’re trying CBD for the first time.
Effects
Within half an hour to 90 minutes, you should feel the effects of your drink. You’ll feel very calm and relaxed while the effects last. How much CBD is in the drink will affect how long and how strongly you feel the calming sensation. If you have depression, anxiety, or insomnia, you can feel the effects of those lessen, too.
Price range
Price ranges for CBD drinks vary. Some high-end CBD drink brands have expensive products for the drink and the packaging. That’s not to say some cheap drinks aren’t excellent quality with a great flavor. On average, try to aim for a drink that’s between $25-$40 for a 12-pack.
Common Flavors and Ingredients in CBD Infused Drinks
Here’s a quick breakdown of familiar flavors and ingredients you’ll find in CBD-infused drinks. Just remember that every brand is different. The ingredients each company uses won’t be the same, but this is what you’ll find on average.
Citrus Flavors
There’s something about strong citrus flavors that make for great drinks. Like many sparkling water-based alcohols, tons of CBD-infused drinks use lemon, lime, and grapefruit flavors. There are many other flavors to pick from, too, if you aren’t a citrus fan.
Hemp Extracts
Hemp has really high amounts of CBD, which is why hemp extracts make CBD drinks. Since hemp is a natural ingredient and many brands are trying to use natural products, it’s very popular in drinks meant to mellow you.
Agave and Honey
Agave and honey are two natural sweeteners you can usually find in CBD-infused drinks. An agave is a plant-based option for those looking for a vegan choice. Both add just enough sweetness to make CBD-infused drinks delicious without being syrupy and overpowering.
Things to Consider When Drinking CBD Drinks
I want to address a few safety concerns before advocating for CBD further. While an overwhelming majority of people will have a great experience with the substance, it isn’t for everyone.
Safety
Safety first! CBD is a mind-altering substance, to an extent, even though you won’t feel high from drinking it. Because of that, check with a doctor before trying out CBD drinks if you have:
- Medications that may interact with CBD
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Heart issues
- Epilepsy
- A weakened immune system
Amounts
Like I said earlier, if you’re a beginner, start out with a CBD-infused drink that has between 15 to 30 milligrams of CBD. This will be the perfect amount to feel the effects without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.
The Best CBD Infused Drinks
Ready to try some of these drinks out for yourself? Well, I’ve got 7 recommendations right here for the best CBD-infused drinks available right now. No matter your tastes, there’s a drink for everyone.
Aplós
Best for: Quality Brand
About
Aplós is what I think of when I think of luxury CBD drinks. If you want to have a night of fancy drinking with your friends, minus the alcohol, this is the bottle you’re looking for. Besides the simple and elegant glass bottle, this drink’s fruit and herbal notes make it feel sophisticated and refreshing.
- Price Range: $45-$55
- Online or Instore: Online
- Key Ingredients: Filtered water, hemp extract, natural & organic flavors, and basil essence
- Best Feature: High-quality brand
Flavor
- Citrus and herbs
Pros
- High-quality drink
- Pretty bottle
- Unique flavor
Cons
- Most expensive choice on the list
CarryOn Relax CBD Sparkling Water
Best for: Additional Effects
About
CarryOn has 2 CBD sparkling waters to choose from. One of their sparkling waters is grapefruit, and while it’s made to calm you, it’s also made to help you focus and stay alert. Their blueberry CBD sparkling water calms you down and puts you to sleep, which is perfect for those with insomnia.
- Price Range: Varies by location
- Online or Instore: Instore
- Key Ingredients: Sparkling water, apple juice, and blueberry juice
- Best Feature: Drinks with additional effects
Flavor
- Blueberry
- Grapefruit
Pros
- 2 different flavors to choose from
- 1 flavor for staying awake, 1 for going to sleep
- Can be bought in stores
Cons
- Cannot be bought from CarryOn’s website
Rhythm CBD Seltzers
Best for: Flavor
About
Rhythm has 4 different kinds of CBD seltzers you can buy. Each one contains 15 milligrams of CBD, but other ingredients give each drink a different effect. For example, the blueberry lavender seltzer is for sleeping, and the lemon ginger seltzer is for recovering from sickness.
- Price Range: 6-pack for $30-$40
- Online or Instore: Online and instore
- Key Ingredients: Filtered carbonated water, natural flavors, and broad-spectrum hemp extract
- Best Feature: Best flavor
Flavor
- Strawberry hibiscus
- Lemon ginger
- Grapefruit rosemary
- Blackberry lavender
Pros
- 4 different flavors
- Each flavor has unique effects
- Can be bought conveniently
Cons
- You can’t buy single cans-only 6-packs and 12-packs
Valley Sparkling Water
Best for: Variety of Flavors
About
Valley Sparkling Water has a wide selection of sparkling CBD drinks. Each can of their CBD-infused drink has 25 milligrams of CBD, which is on the higher end of what I recommend for beginners. You’ll be happy to know these CBD sparkling waters only have 4 ingredients in each can.
- Price Range: $15-$20
- Online or Instore: Online
- Key Ingredients: Filtered water, natural flavors, and CBD oil
- Best Feature: Tons of different flavors
Flavor
- Black cherry
- Blueberry & acai
- Blueberry & lemonade
- Cherry & pineapple
- Citra Hop
- El Dorado Hop
- Elderberry & lemonade
- Ginger lime
- Grapefruit & tangerine
- Mackinaw peach
Pros
- Tons of flavors
- Higher dosage of CBD at 25 mg each
- Only 4 ingredients
Cons
- Expensive for single cans
Recess Sparkling Water
Best for: Beginners
About
Suppose you’re entirely new to experimenting with CBD. In that case, I highly recommend you start with an 8-pack of CBD-infused drinks from Recess. These small, low-dose cans do the trick when you just need a little boost of productivity and calming energy. The packaging for each can is sleek, modern, and inviting.
- Price Range: $35-$45 for an 8-pack
- Online or Instore: Online and instore
- Key Ingredients: Broad-spectrum hemp, American ginseng, L-theanine, and lemon balm
- Best Feature: Perfect for beginners at only 10 milligrams per can
Flavor
- Black cherry
- Pomegranate Hibiscus
- Blood orange
- Peach ginger
- Coconut lime
- Blackberry chai
Pros
- Lots of delicious flavors
- Low dosage CBD for beginners
- Eye-catching packaging
Cons
- Can only be bought in an 8-pack online
LifeAid Daily Balance
Best for: Popularity
About
LifeAid Daily Balance Herbal Lemon sparkling CBD drinks can be bought online or in-store. At 20 milligrams of CBD in every can, you’re sure to feel the effects of this drink. The agave used in these drinks is a natural sweetener that makes the lemon and herbal flavors taste even better together.
- Price Range: $80-$85 for a 24-pack
- Online or Instore: Online and instore
- Key Ingredients: Lemon balm, agave, hemp extract, and cannabinoids
- Best Feature: Huge, trusted brand
Flavor
- Herbal lemon
Pros
- Herbal lemon is a delicious flavor
- 20 milligrams CBD in every can
- LifeAid is a respected brand
Cons
- Can only be bought in a 24-pack on the LifeAid website
Bimble Chill Sparkling Water
Best for: Sustainability
About
Bimble Chill Sparkling Water is all about sustainability. The raw honey used to sweeten the drinks is sourced only from beekeepers active in the beekeeping community. The company founders are a big part. These CBD drinks are completely preservative-free due to a method called tunnel pasteurization, which the founders insisted on.
A mix of CBD, CBC, CBG, and CBN is used to create a full-bodied calming sensation in every bottle. Even though 3 Bimble only has 3 flavors, all 3 are worth trying.
- Price Range: $35-$45 for a 6-pack
- Online or Instore: Online and instore
- Key Ingredients: Sustainably sourced raw Vermont honey and hemp extracts
- Best Feature: Eco-friendly brand that supports and utilizes sustainable beekeeping
Flavor
- Cucumber, melon, and lime
- Blueberry, lemon, and ginger
- Grapefruit, basil, and mint
Pros
- 25 milligrams of CBD in every bottle
- Preservative-free
- Sustainable brand
Cons
- If you buy online, you must purchase at least a 12-pack
FAQ
I get tons and tons of frequently asked questions about CBD-infused drinks. CBD is still a little mysterious to many people, so if you have a question I don’t get to in this section, ask me in the comments below!
Question: How do CBD Drinks Make You Feel?
Answer: CBD-infused drinks make you feel very relaxed, and sometimes they can make you feel sleepy. You won’t be high or intoxicated in any way, but you will have to be at least 18 to buy CBD.
Question: Is CBD Legal in Drinks?
Answer: Yes, CBD is perfectly legal in drinks! CBD is legal and can be bought in restaurants and in stores. As long as you’re over the legal age limit to purchase CBD, there is nothing illegal about buying, eating, drinking, or smoking it.
Question: Do CBD Drinks Do Anything?
Answer: CBD drinks work the same way as smoking CBD, making you feel mentally and physically calm. CBD drinks don’t work as fast as CBD that can be smoked, but the same effects will kick in just a little bit later.
Sip on That
Are you feeling like an expert on all things CBD? I love to talk about CBD-infused drinks. I have more information to share if you have any questions about what CBD does and tell if the CBD drink you want is legitimate.
I have to say, though, my favorite is the Rhythm CBD Seltzers for its fantastic flavor.
For all questions and concerns, please leave me a comment below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. To read even more great articles about CBD and CBD products, come check out our website!
CBD Origin is the premier source for CBD knowledge and information. Find informative articles, helpful guides, the latest news, and more at CBDOrigin.com
