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Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
THC seltzers rise in popularity: What to know about the drinks
Seltzer selections are growing in local grocery stores, gas stations, and liquor stores to include a new iteration, THC-infused seltzers. THC-infused beverages, sometimes referred to as "gardening drinks" on social media, are catching the eyes of consumers looking for alternatives to alcoholic beverages. The THC beverage industry is expected to be a $4 billion industry by 2028, according to Euromonitor International, a London-based market research company. Here is what to know about the increasingly popular drinks. THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound found in marijuana, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. THC seltzers are made by infusing THC into carbonated drinks, creating a new subcategory of seltzers and a new means of cannabis consumption. The drinks come with different percentages of THC per serving. Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant which contains many chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. The most well-known cannabinoid is THC, recognized for causing feelings of euphoria or intoxication. Cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC are classified as hemp, while those with higher levels of THC - the compound responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects - are considered marijuana. In 2018, President Donald Trump signed the 2018 farm bill into law, which legalized industrial hemp. Under the law, products containing cannabis byproducts, such as cannabanoid oil, must be below 0.3 percent THC. The law also moved the regulation and testing of industrial hemp to states. Not your recess refreshment: New SunnyD Vodka Seltzer draws in nostalgic appeal and new criticisms Currently, only 18 states have regulations on hemp, many of which are similar to regulations on alcohol, according to Diana Eberlein, chair of the Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives, an advocacy organization that includes hemp beverage manufacturers, partners and alcohol retailers and distributors. Eberlein told "Good Morning America" the coalition is working to put regulations in place across more states. Consuming THC produces a psychoactive effect, according to the DEA. THC seltzers are sold in a wide range of potencies -- ranging from 2.5 MG to 100 MG -- that can affect different people in different ways, according to Staci Gruber, Ph.D., director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core and the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery program at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts. CBD hit the mainstream as a trendy sleep aid, but does it work? In states where there are no regulations, THC seltzers may be found on store shelves next to non-THC seltzer drinks and energy drinks. Gruber, also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, noted that side effects of drinking THC seltzers may include increased heart rate, nausea and feelings of anxiousness and paranoia. According to the DEA, side effects of THC also include feelings of relaxation and disinhibition, as well as increased appetite, sedation, increased sociability, difficulty in thinking and problem-solving, hallucinations, impaired judgment, reduced coordination and distorted perception. Experts advise that if you are going to consume THC seltzers, start with a low dose and take it slow. THC seltzers rise in popularity: What to know about the drinks originally appeared on
Miami Herald
22-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Coca-Cola doubles down on growing new category
U.S. alcohol sales rose during the pandemic as consumers found themselves bored, anxious, and isolated at home. But more recently, Americans have taken to cutting back on alcohol. Part of that shift may relate to a broad pullback in spending. Get expert insights and actionable trade alerts from veteran investing experts and hedge fund managers. Join TheStreet Pro today and get first month FREE Consumers are being more mindful of where their dollars are going given a years-long stretch of rampant inflation. And with interest rates unlikely to come down anytime soon, Americans are limiting what they buy to avoid needless debt. Related: Popular diet drink brand adds alcohol There are also growing health concerns about alcohol consumption. Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning about the long-term risks of drinking. A 2024 Gallup poll found that more Americans are acknowledging the negative effects of alcohol. Many are now turning to beverages with a lower alcoholic content as a middle-ground solution. At a time when consumers may be avoiding bars and their overpriced menus, a growing number are turning to pre-made cocktails for the convenience as well as the novelty. Many pre-made cocktails are, by nature, lower in alcohol -- though not necessarily in calories. But for consumers who are trying to be more mindful about the former than the latter, they're an easy solution and alternative to happy hour. Related: Coca-Cola makes major change customers will notice right away A growing number of beverage companies are jumping on the pre-made cocktail bandwagon. SunnyD Vodka Seltzer debuted in 2023, and more recently, Kraft Heinz introduced Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers. Coca-Cola has never been a company to sit on the sidelines when a new trend in beverages emerges. Now, it's rolling out a new concoction that fans might swoon over. Cola-Cola hasn't been shy about getting into the alcohol game. It already has a partnership with Brown-Forman that produces Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola, as well as a partnership with Constellation Brands on Fresca Mixed. And its Minute Maid spiked line features flavors like Strawberry Daiquiri. Related: Coca-Cola rival launches genius new money-maker beverage Now, Coca-Cola is bringing a new vodka cocktail into the mix. Dubbed Minute Maid spiked, it's a mix of vodka and lemonade (both classic and pink). Coca-Cola's new drinks, which will be released through the company's Red Tree Beverages subsidiary, have 5% alcohol by volume. They also don't contain carbonation. In recent years, beverage brands have enjoyed success by focusing on the quality of their spirits in pre-made drinks. Surfside, the maker of non-carbonated vodka-infused tea and lemonade, was the second-best-selling canned cocktail made with spirits in 2024. As Americans take a more cautious approach to spending, focusing on spirit quality is a smart move for beverage-makers, as is veering away from carbonated beverages. Coca-Cola's new offerings may prove to be a smoother, more sophisticated version of the pre-packaged cocktails today's Gen Xers drank when they were younger (Zima, we're talking to you). More Food + Dining: Starbucks announces bittersweet change you will soon see in storesCostco confirms major change to its food court menuMcDonald's menu change sparks sharp criticism from customers Still, Coca-Cola may want to tread lightly at a time when Americans are rethinking their relationship with alcohol. The company already has a number of pre-made cocktails in its lineup. And at a time when consumers may be looking to cut back on booze as well as calories, it may not want to put too many eggs into this particular basket. A 2025 NC Solutions survey found that 49% of Americans plan to drink less alcohol in 2025. So what Coca-Cola may want to do following its latest move is expand into the mocktail space. It's clear that consumers are still willing to spend money on fun beverages, and they're eager to stock their own fridges rather than pay a premium to drink outside the home. As beverage companies dive headfirst into the world of pre-packaged cocktails, they should keep a pulse on the growing mocktail trend. Maurie Backman owns shares of Coca-Cola. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
