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How we test supplements
We understand that shopping for CBD products, like CBD drinks, can be an overwhelming experience. To make shopping for a CBD drink easier for you, our team of healthcare providers and industry experts analyzed the best CBD drinks on the market, using criteria like type of CBD, dose, additional ingredients, quality, potential effectiveness, and price.
You can read our full supplement testing methodology here.
Here’s how we evaluated the CBD drinks in this piece.
Efficacy—40%
Safety and side effects—35%
Value—20%
Customer experience—5%
What is a CBD drink?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is available in numerous forms, including oils, gummies, capsules, and drinks. CBD drinks are beverages that contain CBD, a cannabinoid compound found in the
Cannabis sativa
, or hemp, plant. (
1
)
CBD drinks are made from the hemp plant. They’re often naturally or artificially flavored and can contain additional ingredients, such as added sugar, vitamins, amino acids, and herbs.
Though not always the case, CBD drinks generally contain lower amounts of CBD than supplements, like
CBD capsules
and oils. For example, CBD drinks often contain between 5-25 mg of CBD per serving, while capsules and oils typically contain between 25-200 mg per serving.
Depending on the form of CBD used, CBD drinks can contain trace amounts of THC or be 100% THC-free.
Many people use CBD drinks, like mocktails and seltzers, for their potential stress- and anxiety-reducing properties. CBD drinks are also a popular substitute for alcoholic beverages, like cocktails, as CBD is non-intoxicating.
Unlike THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, CBD doesn’t impair your memory, coordination, or judgment. Though some CBD beverages, such as those made with full-spectrum CBD, may contain trace amounts of THC, it’s generally not enough for most people to feel high. (
4
) However, CBD can make you feel more relaxed, which is why it’s a popular ingredient in alcohol replacement drinks.
What are the health benefits of CBD drinks?
CBD products, like capsules and oils, have been associated with a number of health benefits, including reducing stress levels, decreasing pain, and improving symptoms of certain health conditions, like symptoms associated with anxiety. (
15
)
Most of the research investigating the effects of CBD has focused on higher-dose CBD supplements, such as CBD oils and capsules.
Although it’s likely that CBD drinks would have similar effects as CBD supplements, there’s currently very little evidence that CBD drinks are as effective as other CBD products or offer any benefits beyond those linked with other CBD products.
How to choose the right CBD drink for you
Before adding a CBD drink to your wellness routine, it’s important to note that CBD products aren’t the right choice for everyone.
CBD products, like CBD drinks, may interact with certain over-the-counter supplements and commonly prescribed medications, such as antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, and certain anticoagulants (also referred to as blood thinners). They can also impact certain laboratory tests, such as liver function tests, for certain people. (
16
)
Taking CBD can also trigger unwanted side effects, such as fatigue, mood changes, and diarrhea, especially when taken in larger doses. (
15
)
CBD drinks can also contain other ingredients, like herbs, which may not be safe for everyone to take. This is why it’s best to clear CBD products with your healthcare provider to ensure safety. This is especially important if you have a health condition or are taking one or more medications.
In addition to being aware of potential safety issues related to ingesting CBD, when shopping for a CBD drink, it’s also important to consider the following:
Type of CBD
There are three types of CBD used in CBD drinks:
Full-spectrum CBD:
Contains all active components of the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids like CBD and THC (up to 0.3% of dry weight only), plus other compounds, such as flavonoid antioxidants. (
4
)
Broad-spectrum CBD
: Similar to full-spectrum CBD, but contains zero THC. All broad-spectrum CBD products are THC-free.
CBD isolate
: Pure CBD isolate is exactly that—CBD only. It doesn’t contain all of the the additional compounds found in full- and broad-spectrum products. CBD isolates are completely free from THC. (
4
)
If you’d like to completely avoid THC, choose a CBD drink that contains CBD isolate or THC-free broad-spectrum CBD.
Research shows that full- and broad-spectrum CBD products may be more beneficial for certain health conditions, like anxiety, compared to CBD isolate products. (
4
)
CBD dose
The dose of CBD in CBD drinks varies, so it’s important to read product labels to learn how much CBD is in each serving. Though drinks generally contain less CBD than oils and capsules, some contain more CBD than others.
If you’re new to taking CBD and are unsure of the dose of CBD that’s appropriate for your health needs, talk to a healthcare provider with specialized knowledge of herbal and/or cannabis medicine for advice.
To reduce the risk of side effects, it’s advised to start with a low dose of CBD, such as 2.5 or 5 mg daily, and increase the dose every two to three days as tolerated until an effective dose is achieved. (
7
)
“Many studies show doses less than 100 mg to show many benefits, often even in the 10-25 mg range, however working up is key. Larger dose studies have shown to go even higher into the 300-400 mg range.”
Victoria Burgess, PhD, CSCS, CISSN
Additional ingredients
Many CBD drinks contain additional ingredients, including added sugar,
key vitamins
, minerals, amino acids, and herbs.
Reading nutrition and ingredient labels can help you narrow down a safe and effective product. For example, if you have high blood sugar, it’s best to avoid sugary beverages, including CBD beverages made with high amounts of added sugar.
Price
Lastly, you should consider the price of CBD drinks and pick one that works with your budget.
FAQs
How do CBD drinks work?
How many CBD drinks can you safely drink in a day?
How much CBD is in a CBD drink?
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Our experts
Swathi Varansi, PharmD
Dr. Swathi is a pharmacist with a passion about the intersection of personalized medicine and innovation. She received her Doctory of Pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts at Carleton College. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Affairs in biotech and has training in nutrition from Cornell University.
Victoria Burgess, Ph.D., CSCS, CISSN
Victoria uses her extensive nutrition and performance knowledge every day. She has a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance from Concordia University Chicago and holds her NSCA CSCS and Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). She’s an adjunct professor in the Human Performance and Nutrition department at Concordia University Chicago and Parker University, where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level courses. She also sits on the advisory board for both the International Society of Sports Nutrition and the National Advisory Council of the First Responder Institute.
Jessica Coulon
Jessica is a contributing editor and writer for Fortune Recommends™ who specializes in fitness, health, nutrition, and science content. Previously, she was an editor for Popular Mechanics and Bicycling, where she covered pro cycling news, wrote how-to guides, and tested all the latest and greatest bike gear. She was also a regular shoe tester and contributor for Runner’s World. You can often find her skiing or riding her mountain bike, and racing with the F1RE female enduro team.
Lily Moe
Lily is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor with over seven years of experience in health media. As a former Fitness Coach, Lily’s editorial prowess has largely focused on fitness, nutrition, and weight management. She has also spent a fair share of time in testing labs, analyzing everything from protein powders to yoga mats. Her work has appeared in Verywell Fit, Verywell Mind, Health, and more.
Kelly Uhler
Kelly has a multifaceted background in elder care, health care, and copywriting. She has worked for organizations such as A Place For Mom and Homecare.com, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with families, providing reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their loved one’s health, safety, and quality of life.
References
“}]] CBD is a cannabis-derived compound that can positively impact health in several ways. Read on for our top picks for the best CBD drinks of 2024. Read More
