Spilling the Tea on Cannabis Beverages
From sparkling waters to sodas and emerging CBG drinks, cannabis beverages are quickly becoming a buzzworthy alternative to traditional edibles. Offering a more familiar, social, and often fast-acting experience, these drinks are reshaping how people consume cannabis.
Whether you’re new to cannabis beverages or ready to explore the latest innovations, understanding how they are evolving — from infusion technology to flavour profiles — can help guide your way in this exciting category.
Here's everything you need to know about cannabis drinks in Canada today, and how to choose the right one for you.
The Evolution of Cannabis Beverages
What are cannabis beverages?
Cannabis beverages are drinks infused with cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, or CBG. THC is psychoactive, meaning it can produce intoxicating effects, while CBD is non‑intoxicating and does not produce psychoactive effects. They come in familiar formats including sodas, teas, and sparkling waters. In Canada, cannabis beverages have come a long way since legalization, with new formats and flavours continuing to attract interest from consumers seeking an approachable way to consume cannabis.
How cannabis beverages have grown in popularity
The THC drinks category has expanded in recent years, partly due to improvements in formulation and a growing assortment of options. Modern infusion methods have resulted in more consistent dosing and faster onset times, helping establish beverages as an alternative to traditional edibles.
Why cannabis drinks stand out: Cannabis Drinks Vs. Edibles
Cannabis drinks are often chosen for their quicker onset compared to edibles like gummies or baked goods. They can be consumed in settings where smoking is prohibited, and they are more approachable in the sense that many consumers are already accustomed to drinking beverages in social settings. Another benefit of beverages is that they do not produce any odour when consumed.
What’s new in cannabis beverages
Product innovation continues to push the category forward, with nano‑emulsification leading the way. Today’s lineup includes a broader range of flavours and cannabinoids, from classic THC and CBD formulations to emerging options like CBG‑infused drinks.
Types of Cannabis Beverages
Popular cannabis drink formats
There are many CBD and THC-infused drink options available, making it easy to find a format that fits your taste. Common cannabis beverage formats include:
- Sparkling waters
- Sodas
- Non-carbonated beverages (juices, teas, etc.)
- Sugar-free and low-calorie options
- Concentrated “shots”
Carbonated vs non‑carbonated beverages
Carbonated cannabis drinks deliver a crisp, bubbly feel similar to traditional sodas or sparkling waters, making them a popular alternative to alcoholic beverages. Non-carbonated options, including juices and teas, provide a smoother texture without bubbles. The choice often comes down to personal preference and occasion.
Sugar‑free and low‑calorie cannabis beverages
Many brands now offer sugar-free and low-calorie options, such as Mollo’s Watermelon Lime Seltzer or Sweet Justice’s OG Cola Free. These drinks are often made using natural flavours and sugar alternatives, such as stevia or aspartame. They are ideal for consumers looking to reduce their sugar intake or cut down on calories.
Cannabis beverage shots
Sold in small, concentrated servings, beverage shots are designed for convenience and potency. Their compact size makes them easy to consume on their own or mix into a non‑infused drink. If you’re looking for a higher dose without having to consume multiple full-size cans, shots may be your ideal format.
Flavour options in cannabis beverages
Cannabis drinks come in a wide range of flavours, from bright citrus notes to classic soda formulations. Some of the most common flavours include:
- Cola
- Rootbeer
- Cream soda
- Tropical flavours
- Tea-inspired flavours
What’s Inside – Distillate vs. Rosin
Distillate‑based cannabis beverages
Most cannabis drinks today are made with distillate — an extract created through a process of distillation that isolates specific cannabinoids like THC or CBD. This process removes most other compounds, including terpenes, resulting in a nearly flavourless concentrate.
Because of this, distillate is ideally suited for beverages: it allows for clean, consistent flavour profiles without any cannabis aftertaste.
Rosin drink options
Rosin-infused drinks, such as Teapot’s Rosin Infused Raspberry Black Tea, are becoming more common. Unlike distillate, rosin is made from using heat and pressure to extract cannabinoids and terpenes directly from the freshly frozen cannabis plant. This preserves more of the plant’s natural compounds, including minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
Rosin drinks are often preferred by consumers seeking a full-spectrum experience.
Choosing based on preference
What matters most to you? If you don't want to taste any cannabis flavour, choose distillate-based drinks. If you're looking for a terpene-rich, true to flower experience, you may want to explore rosin-infused drinks.
What Does “Fast Acting” Mean?
Nano‑emulsification explained
Fast‑acting cannabis drinks use nano‑emulsification, a process that breaks cannabinoids into small, water-soluble particles. This allows the body to absorb them more efficiently, resulting in quicker onset times. This faster onset allows you to better gauge how you feel and decide whether to sip more, making fast‑acting drinks appealing for control and consistency.
Fast acting doesn’t mean stronger
While nano‑emulsified drinks may take effect faster, they are not necessarily more potent. The strength still depends on the amount of THC, CBD, or other cannabinoid in the beverage — fast‑acting simply refers to how quickly the effects begin, not how intense they are. Always start low and go slow.
New Multi‑Pack Formats – 4‑Packs & 6‑Packs
Available cannabis beverage multipacks
Cannabis beverage multipacks are becoming more common, offering added convenience and value. As of May 2026, cannabis drinks are now available in 4‑pack and 6‑pack formats, making them easier to stock up.
XMG offers 4‑packs in flavours like Tropical Cream and Cream Soda, including sugar‑free options. Mollo also offers multi‑packs of its cannabis seltzers, featuring flavours such as Blackberry and Wildberry Açaí.
Why multipacks matter?
Multipacks offer added convenience and value since buying drinks in multi‑pack formats often provides better value compared to single cans. They are also easier to carry, store, and share than purchasing multiple single cans.
The Rise of CBG Beverages
What is CBG?
CBG (cannabigerol) is a non‑intoxicating cannabinoid that is chemically distinct from both THC and CBD. It occurs naturally in cannabis in smaller amounts and does not produce psychoactive effects. As research and cultivation methods evolve, CBG has become more prolific across various categories, including beverages.
Why CBG‑infused drinks are emerging
As interest expands beyond THC-infused drinks, CBG options are emerging as part of the growing focus on minor cannabinoids. Beverages offer an approachable format for introducing CBG, and products formulated with THC are available in various ratios. Options include 1:1 CBG to THC beverages, such as Sweet Justice’s OG Root Beer, as well as lower‑THC formulations like 2.5mg THC paired with 10mg CBG, found in Just Beverage’s Blackberry Lime Seltzer.
Who are CBG drinks for?
CBG beverages are great for those interested in exploring non‑intoxicating cannabinoids or seeking alternatives to THC‑dominant products. While CBG itself is non‑intoxicating, products that combine CBG with THC may affect individuals differently, as psychoactive effects can vary based on the person, the ratio, and the amount consumed.
How to Choose the Right Beverage for You
With so many cannabis drink options available, choosing the right one often comes down to format, formulation, and personal preference. Whether you’re focused on onset time, value, ingredients, or cannabinoid content, understanding the differences can help narrow your options.
Quick cannabis beverage decision guide
Want faster onset?
Fast‑acting, nano‑emulsified drinks are designed to absorb more efficiently, which means effects may be felt within 20 minutes or longer.
Want better value?
Multi‑pack formats, such as 4‑packs or 6‑packs, offer added convenience and value. They’re ideal for stocking up and sharing.
Want a full‑spectrum experience?
Rosin‑infused beverages are made using solventless extracts that retain compounds from the cannabis plant. These drinks are often selected for their true-to-flower effects.
Curious about new cannabinoids?
CBG beverages provide an option for exploring cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD. Available in defined ratios — such as balanced CBG:THC or CBG‑dominant.
Want no psychoactive effects?
Choose CBD-only beverages, like Solei’s Sparkling Dragonfruit Watermelon, which contain little to no THC and are non‑intoxicating.
Where Cannabis Beverages are Headed
Cannabis beverages in Canada continue to evolve with faster onset options, new formats, and expanded flavour options. Here at BCCS, we’re excited to see ongoing innovation in the cannabis drink category, including more minor cannabinoid-rich formulations and wider availability of multipacks.
