If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
From relaxing bath bombs, to fruity gummies and post-workout muscle recovery, CBD is the hot wellness item that seems to have been added to every part of our daily routine. At the end of the day, we all have our own ways of finding moments of self-care throughout the day, and for some folks, that includes incorporating CBD. But the latest hassle-free, easily consumable way to take your CBD is through some surprisingly sippable beverages.
Yes, this typically medicinal ingredient has made its way onto beverage shelves in the form of iced teas, sodas, seltzers, coffee, and even hopped on the hot seltzer summer train. The best CBD drinks aren’t exactly new, but have been given a major facelift with trendy, poolside aesthetic designs combined with natural ingredients like fruit and herbs (and not the ones you’re thinking of).
It’s actually no surprise that CBD has been bottled up — most are made from cannabidiol (CBD) oil, extracted from the leaves, resin and flowers found in cannabis plants, which you can then mix up with other drinks for a relaxing shot or even cold brew coffee. When you think of CBD, you’re probably thinking of the OG oils and tinctures with droppers, most associated with relieving anxiety or insomnia. The body absorbs its non-psychoactive (aka not high-inducing) therapeutic effects faster, and more efficiently in a liquid form, which lends itself well to becoming used in tasty beverages.
Will CBD Drinks Make You Sleepy or High?
If you’re looking to replace your smoking habit with one of these beverages, the answer is no, they won’t get you high. Unlike the plant it comes from, CBD drinks are infused using CBD isolate, so they lack the specific psychoactive compound (THC) and other cannabinoids needed to give you the same “high” or euphoric effect. While it might be ever-so-slightly more relaxing than say, kicking a kombucha back, CBD seltzers aren’t meant to be used in the same way.
But if you’re looking for a pleasant nightcap, an untraditional mixer for backyard party cocktails, or just a refreshingly calming drink to add to your daily routine, then here are the top CBD beverages to try right now. (Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, nor are we medical professionals. The products listed below are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease).
What Are the Best CBD Drinks to Buy Online?
From refreshing sips to mood enhancers, we review some of the best CBD drinks and CBD beverages to buy online. These are all legally available to order online and will ship directly to your door.
1. Recess Hemp
BEST OVERALL
Standard Dose
Recess is the cool older sister of the CBD drink scene, a hipper, more grown-up La Croix sparkling water infused with broad spectrum hemp and an aesthetic practically tailor-made for an Instagram feed. That is to say, we love it.
No only do they have an incredible look, but this drink is a super refreshing alternative to your jittery mid-afternoon cup of coffee, including adaptogens (herbs that help you adapt to stress) like L-theanine and American ginseng. Each can has 10 mg of cannabidiol (on the lower end for CBD beverages) for whenever you want to feel calm and collected.
The sippability of these drinks also totally beat out the full-blown hemp taste some tinctures can leave on your tongue, with flavors like Pomegranate Hibiscus, Blackberry Chai, and Coconut Lime. Perfect for lounging poolside in the sun, or after a particularly stressful Zoom meeting, you don’t need to be stressed out to try this “anytime” beverage.
2. Vybes CBD Tea
BEST CBD TEA
Standard Dose
Each of these tea-based CBD beverages from Vybes wouldn’t feel out of place at a bustling farmers’ market stand, and that all-natural vibe is exactly why they’ve made our list. Vybes features a line of summery-sweet beverages infused with 25 mg of hemp extract from Colorado-grown hemp CBD.
These are a great alternative if you’re sick of the seltzer trend currently flooding the market (to which CBD drinks are not immune. We had to go out of our way to find non-seltzers). These summery-sweet drinks are either combinations of real fruit, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and green tea, for a juice-bar taste without all the added sugar.
There are seven flavors to choose from, like Blueberry Mint, Honeycrisp Apple Basil, and Peach Ginger. For good vibes on the go, Vybes’ fresh ingredients can’t be beat.
3. Sweet Reason
BEST WITH ADAPTOGENS
Sweet Reason
Sweet Reasons specifically crafted their CBD-infused drinks for the two main reasons someone might reach for one in the first place — to focus your attention during a hectic workday, and trying to take the edge off and catch some Z’s at night. If you know exactly how you want your CBD to make you feel, than this is the beverage for you.
The bottles feel like a fancy sparkling water you might pick up from a trendy cafe, but the contents inside are tailormade with a purpose. Sweet Reason splits their drinks into an “AM” category (a blend of hemp and CBD) and a “PM” category (including calming herbs like chamomile and ashwagandha).
Sweet Reason beverages include seven flavors some of which are more similar to tea (think Peach Jasmine), while others are seltzer-esque other four (Cucumber Mint). Sip on a PM blend before bed, or take an afternoon break with a bright, sparkling AM drink.
Another reason (pun intended) why this bevvy is so sweet: 1% of every Sweet Reason purchase is donated to a nonprofit of your choice, although they have organizations listed on their site from previous donations, like the LA Trans Wellness Center and the Loveland Foundation for racial equality.
4. Zolt Mixie Sticks
BEST CBD DRINK MIX
Zolt
While they aren’t exactly “beverages,” Zolt’s Mix Sticks are a powder-based mix that once you stir into water, become CBD drinks made for everything from jump-starting your morning, to sleeping like a baby.
One thing we like is that Zolt Mix Sticks are come in both hemp CBD isolate (20 mg each), full spectrum hemp (with trace legal amounts of THC), and non-hemp versions. This lets you decide if you want a more well-balanced, mid-day focus with hemp CBD, and if you don’t like the feeling, switch to purely-adaptogen powders with ingredients like collagen and melatonin for nighttime.
Zolt Mix Sticks literally let you mix it up your way, and come in variety packs if still aren’t certain which flavor, or area of focus you want to try.
5. Miraflora
BEST CBD SPORTS DRINK
Miraflora Naturals
Looking for an effective CBD drink can be as hard as looking for an effective post-workout drink that doesn’t load up with sugar and carbohydrates. Miraflora’s Sports+ sparkling beverage is the best of both worlds, containing full-spectrum CBD and some recovery essentials you’ll love.
Morning workout enthusiasts and athletes that don’t want to drink something that will make you drowsy, Miraflora has you covered — it’s not only infused with with 35 mg of CBD extract, but loaded with amino acids, coconut water, hydrating electrolytes and antioxidants, which are key to help you spring back for your next workout.
It’s also just an all-around refreshing post-workout beverage, since the coconut water makes it a light and low-cal alternative to heavy protein shakes.
