We Tasted 6 THC Seltzers — Here’s the One We’d Actually Drink Again

Cannabis-infused beverages have become more popular than ever over the past few years. In many states, you can find hemp-derived, THC-infused beverages at licensed cannabis dispensaries, and in some states, at liquor stores, dispensaries, and even grocery stores.

Since Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed certain hemp-derived THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) substances from the list of controlled substances, an onslaught of new brands has emerged. This legal shift has helped propel THC-infused drinks into the mainstream, particularly among consumers seeking alternatives to alcohol.

Some are delicious and offer pleasant, controlled psychoactive effects, while others fall short on flavor and finesse. To find the seltzers worth seeking out, we tasted six popular delta-9 THC-infused beverages side by side. 

How we selected the seltzers

We selected six popular THC-infused seltzers that are each available for purchase online or in-store in select states. While there are dozens of cannabis-infused beverages on the market, we opted to select drinks that only include delta-9 THC.

“When it comes to cannabis-infused beverages, there is a lot of variety currently in the market, and we’re not just talking about flavor here,” says Lauren Buzzeo, F&W contributing editor and publisher of Full Pour. “From CBD to THC and a rainbow of other cannabinoids in between, there’s a lot of possibility when it comes to exactly what’s in that infused drink you want to try, and with that, a range of outcomes and variables to consider as a result.” 

For greatest service and availability, as well as low-dose consistency, we opted for seltzers that are made with hemp-derived THC, which is the same psychoactive compound found in marijuana, but federally legal when extracted from hemp as opposed to a marijuana plant. This distinction generally makes finding and buying sessionable (2–10 mg THC per serving) hemp-derived THC drinks much easier than those sold exclusively through cannabis dispensary channels. Many even ship right to your door. However, some states have bans on hemp-derived THC products, so availability of the seltzers we tested varies from state to state. 

Additionally, we selected seltzers that only boasted discernible amounts of THC, and no other cannabinoids. Some of our favorite infused beverages, like Louie Louie, Happi Glow and Food & Wine Drinks Innovator Cann, contain a blend of cannabinoids, most commonly CBD. We omitted these seltzers for a pure and consistent THC drink comparison without those other variables.

“There are dozens of different cannabinoids, or naturally occurring compounds, in the cannabis plant, many of which are still being identified, isolated, and studied today,” says Buzzeo. “THC and CBD may be the most well-known main players, but there are tons of additional possibilities that are now being considered for various uses, including CBG, CBN, THCV, and more. On top of their own properties and purported effects, there is also consideration of the ‘entourage effect,’ or the idea that compounds including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavinoids all work synergistically to yield a more powerful and balanced effect than any one compound alone. This is an important consideration when attempting any comparison, to try and make sure you are tasting apples to apples and not oranges to bananas.”

How we tested

Six Food & Wine editors participated in this taste test. We sampled all the seltzers one after the other, with no knowledge of the brands, and each was well chilled in advance.

We evaluated the seltzers based on their taste and aromas, not their psychoactive properties, as each tester experiences THC differently. We scored each seltzer on a scale of 1 to 5, with a focus on flavor and aroma. We looked for a delicious, enjoyable seltzer with pleasant flavors, balanced sweetness, and subtle vegetal hemp notes. For aromas, we looked for appealing scents that clearly reflected the seltzer’s flavor profile.

Best overall: Tupléy Blackberry Bergamot Social Tonic

This balanced, berry-flavored seltzer from Tupléy impressed our testers from the get-go. It had a pleasant, fruit-forward aroma and really won out when it came to flavor. We loved the combination of sweet, juicy blackberry and zesty bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit known for its floral aroma.

While many THC seltzers veered overly sweet, Tupléy’s offered real fruit notes and welcome acidity. “It tastes like there’s freshly squeezed lemon or lime in it,” said social media editor Alexa Rockwell. Tupléy uses cane sugar to sweeten its seltzers, whereas many other brands rely on artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or erythritol, which can yield an unpleasant, overly intense sugary taste.

At 5 milligrams of THC per 12-ounce can, this seltzer has minimal cannabis flavor, and the lower dose makes it an ideal social tonic for those trying infused beverages for the first time. Chill this drink down and enjoy it slowly.

“I could sip on this throughout an entire evening,” said Senior Photo Editor Doan Nguyen.

Most nostalgic: Cantrip Orange Soda

With a bright orange hue and seriously fruity aroma, Cantrip’s Orange Soda embraces every quality of a classic Sunkist, Crush, or Orange Fanta. “It’s ORANGE, ORANGE, ORANGE,” commented Editor Amelia Schwartz. Cantrip’s full line of THC-infused sodas is nostalgic by design; the brand offers quintessential soda flavors like cola, root beer, and even a riff on Dr Pepper called Dr Cantrip.

This citrusy soda is infused with 10 milligrams of THC per 12-ounce can. For those looking for a slower-sipping experience, diluting this soda with equal parts seltzer will mellow the sweetness and lengthen the drink. On the flip side, Cantrip also makes a 50-milligram soda in the same iconic flavor.

Made for candy lovers: C.R.E.A.M Plumelon THC Beverage

Plumelon is a distinctive mashup of plum and melon flavors. While our editors struggled to discern the exact flavor of this 5-milligram THC, low-dose seltzer, they all noted candy-like qualities. “It smells like green apple Warheads,” said Drinks Assistant Fernanda Gonzalez Blanco Serrano. It also recalled Jolly Ranchers for some, and for Rockwell, “the strawberry hard candies they give out for free at nail salons.”

Infused seltzer and gummy brand C.R.E.A.M offers a range of creative flavors, including Wappleberry, a combination of watermelon, berries, and green apple. Despite the enticing flavor combinations, some of our editors craved a more balanced drink with more restrained sweetness. Still, the seltzer was thoroughly enjoyed. 

The full list of contenders, ranked from highest to lowest

1. Tupléy Blackberry Bergamot Social Tonic
2. Cantrip Orange Soda
3. C.R.E.A.M Plumelon THC Beverage
4. 3CHI Bombsicle Cannabis Seltzer
5. Cheech and Chong’s High & Dry Mango Fizz
6. Cantrip Dr. Cantrip