In the fast-evolving cannabis retail world, CBD-infused beverages are carving out a standout niche. They offer a tasteful, convenient alternative to tinctures and edibles — all while appealing to consumers seeking mindful refreshment. Below, we explore standout CBD drinks worth stocking (or trying), explain what makes them shine, and highlight why they’re compelling from a retail and consumer standpoint.

1. Recess Sparkling Waters

Website: takearecess.com
Recess is a favorite in CBD beverage lineups. Each 12 oz can combines broad-spectrum hemp extract (≈10 mg CBD) with adaptogens (L-theanine, American ginseng, lemon balm) to support calm but alert moods. Taste reviews emphasize its clean flavor and subtle relaxing effect. From a retail lens, it bridges functional beverage and wellness shelves with strong branding and recognizable flavor names such as Blood Orange and Peach Ginger.

2. Cloud Water

Social: cloudwaterbrands linkedin
Delish testers rated Cloud Water among the top picks in CBD drinks thanks to its smooth, almost medicinal-free taste. Their formula uses 25 mg CBD isolate infused via a proprietary process that minimizes flavor interference. For retailers, Cloud Water appeals to purist CBD drink shoppers — those who want potency without the hemp “edge.”

3. Daytrip CBD Sparkling Water

Website: wearedaytrip.com
Daytrip delivers 25 mg of CBD per can, using fast-acting water-soluble technology for consistent effects. It’s marketed as THC-free, zero sugar, and low-calorie, which aligns well with “better-for-you” positioning in beverage sections. Reviewers note that the carbonation helps speed onset. For retailers, this is a solid contender in the everyday wellness beverage category.

4. Mighty Kind Herbal Seltzers

Website: bemightykind.com
Mighty Kind marries CBD (or cannabis in licensed markets) with botanical flavors to appeal to the craft seltzer crowd. Their CBD offerings tend toward moderate doses (10–20 mg) and sit in a category that leans more premium. For retailers, Mighty Kind provides an opportunity to cross into the grower-craft aesthetic: colorful branding, botanical vocabulary, and craft drink appeal.

5. Cann Social Tonics

Website: drinkcann.com
Cann doesn’t exclusively do CBD drinks — they also offer low-dose THC variants in legal markets — but their CBD-forward social tonic line is elegant, lightly flavored, and consumer-friendly. They market toward social sipping — the kind of beverage you might bring to a party without the alcohol. For retailers, this is a crossover product: wellness shelf meets adult beverage shelf, expanding the use cases for CBD drinks.

6. High Rise CBD Seltzers

Website: highrisebev.com
High Rise offers non-alcoholic seltzers infused with CBD in real-fruit flavors. Their branding emphasizes balance, natural ingredients, and a clean, modern aesthetic. These are ideal when a customer wants refreshment plus subtle wellness support — not a heavy dose. From a retail perspective, High Rise fills the “lite, functional seltzer” niche in the CBD beverage space.

What Makes These CBD Drinks Stand Out

  1. Balanced doses and clean formulations — None of these products aim for ultra-high CBD content; instead, they focus on moderate, consumer-friendly doses (10–25 mg) that pair well with flavor and function.
  2. Flavor engineering and infusion technology — Several of these brands use advanced emulsions or water-soluble infusion processes to reduce bitterness or hemp aftertaste. Cloud Water’s infusion is often praised for being flavor-neutral.
  3. Brand positioning and lifestyle alignment — These drinks don’t just deliver CBD; they align with social moments (Cann), wellness routines (Daytrip, Recess), or modern refreshment (High Rise).
  4. Retail segmentation opportunities — Some belong on wellness shelves, others next to functional sodas, and still others fit in craft or alternative beverage zones.

A Note on Efficacy and Consumer Education

While many consumers turn to CBD drinks seeking relief from stress or better sleep, it’s important to proceed with nuance. Clinical evidence for CBD beverages is still emerging — the effects are subtle and highly individual. Retailers should ensure that brands offer transparent Certificates of Analysis (COAs), clear dosing information, and consumer education support.

Final Take

CBD beverages aren’t just a novelty — they’re maturing into serious shelf contenders. The six products above demonstrate how to do it well: balanced dose, clean taste, credible branding, and strong consumer appeal.

For retailers, these drinks offer cross-merchandising flexibility — they can live on wellness shelves, functional beverage sections, or even adult beverage adjacencies. For consumers, they present a new way to sip calm without tinctures or gummies. As the category grows, differentiators like flavor experience, onset time, brand story, and transparency will drive preference.

Whether someone wants a fizzy chill, a botanical tonic, or a social spritz without alcohol, these selections offer real-world options that live up to the promise of CBD refreshment — without the smoke.