Editor’s Note: Many states in the US are 420-friendly, but cannabis is still federally illegal. Availability and laws vary state to state. Our recommendations below have been updated after additional testing in the summer of 2025.

Cannabis cocktails have changed my life. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but after going “Cali sober”—cutting out all alcohol and intoxicants with the exception of weed—for health reasons a couple summers ago, I had to build an entirely new relationship with drinking. And while it was easy enough to find bars in my Brooklyn neighborhood that served incredible zero-proof cocktails, I still found myself at dinner parties and housewarmings longing for a social lubricant to help loosen the grip of my anxiety.

Then I learned about the new wave of cannabis-infused beverages, now recreationally legal in 24 states and counting, with hemp-derived THC products fully legal in all 50 states thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Suddenly I could partake in my favorite plant in a more discreet (and fragrance-free) format without having to step outside the party. I could also enjoy all the sensory pleasures of cocktails—rich floral aromas, juicy citrus flavors—and wake up the next morning sans hangover.

Infused beverages hit differently than smoking a joint or nibbling a pot brownie. This is thanks, in part, to science: Drinkable cannabis is made possible by nano-emulsification, a fairly new technology that breaks down compounds like THC and CBD into particles that become surrounded by water-soluble molecules. Nanoemulsified extracts have changed the game when it comes to flavor, delivering consistent doses without the grassy, bong-water-like aftertaste found in early attempts to make weed drinkable. These tiny water-loving cannabis particles are also more easily absorbed by our body’s soft tissues, allowing the effects of infused beverages to kick in as soon as 10 minutes after drinking, rather than the hour or two waiting period of traditional edibles.

I’ve also noticed that people who might be turned off by the idea of weed smoke tend to find canned cocktails more accessible. This inherent familiarity could be a big reason why infused beverages have become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the cannabis industry; the global market is projected to crack $2 billion in annual revenue by 2026.

Of course, when it comes to drinking cannabis, it’s important to be mindful of dosage. Most dispensaries suggest that new consumers start with a 2–5 mg THC microdose (check the required label on each can) and wait until the effects have settled before pouring another. —Chala June

Like an Italian cocktail: Artet

Inspired by Italian aperitivo culture, Artet marries botanicals typically used in gin production, like juniper and gentian, with fresh juices. The result is a range of bright, complex drinks with a variety of flavors. Grapefruit lovers will get down with Rosemary Jane, while G&T loyalists should try the Tet & Tonic, with chamomile and 5 mg each of THC and CBD for a balanced, uplifting effect. —C.J.

For cider lovers: Ayrloom

The latest project from the fifth-generation, family-owned company behind Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, Ayrloom draws on more than a century of expertise to make infused cider. Brewed with fresh apples grown in upstate New York, the 5 mg THC and CBD Honeycrisp cider will please anyone who’s a fan of hard cider. It has a natural sweetness and crisp finish that doesn’t linger too long on the palate. If cider’s not quite your thing, Ayrloom makes other infused drinks too, including a nostalgia-inducing vanilla cola would work well for a summertime ice cream float. —C.J.

Teatime, all grown up: Boldt

What happens when Southern sweet tea meets California kush? Boldt has the answer. Each can is made with fresh brewed black tea sourced from Georgia and infused with 10 mg of flavorless cannabis extract, delivering the clean, classic taste of iced tea alongside a potent cerebral high. Try the peach flavor on ice for classic Southern porch-sipping vibes. —C.J.

The life of the party: Cann

Made for those who want to enjoy a night out without overindulging, each of Cann’s refreshing “social tonics” is made with five ingredients: cannabis extract, sparkling water, organic agave syrup, fruit juices, and botanicals like lavender and rosemary. Whether you go for the mid-dosed Hi Boy (5 mg THC and 10 mg CBD) or the micro-dosed Lo Boy (1 mg THC and 15 mg CBD), each palate-pleasing Cann offers a gentle, mind-opening buzz. Spicy margarita lovers will get a kick out of the seasonal Pineapple Jalapeño flavor, but our favorite seasonal sip was the limited-edition Cranberry Sage flavor. —C.J.

For game night: Cantrip

Named after a type of Dungeons & Dragons spell (yes, really) that can be cast with little effort, Cantrip’s cannabis-spiked seltzers promise exactly that—an ebullient, enchanting high without any hard work. They offer multiple flavors; try the Ginger Peach, microdosed with 3 mg THC and 2 mg CBD, or the Blackberry Lavender, with 5 mg THC per can. —C.J.

To float to outer space: Crescent 9

For those seeking a cannabis drink that really packs a punch, Crescent 9’s line of infused seltzers ranges from 5 mg THC up to 50 mg THC per can. If you’re an experienced psychonaut looking to blast off, the highly potent Strawberry Lemonade is a must-try; made with lemongrass and real strawberry purée, this sweet-tart 50 mg seltzer delivers a higher dose than most without compromising on quality and flavor. If you’re still just getting your feet wet, the fragrant Tropical flavor is made with juicy mango, 6 mg of THC, and just a splash of caffeine for an energetic buzz. —C.J.

Green in more ways than one: Cycling Frog

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Cycling Frog uses all-natural fruit juice and hemp extract sourced from a sustainable no-spray farm near the mountains of central Oregon. As a fan of rich, dark fruit, my personal favorite is the juicy Black Currant seltzer, but those who prefer something citrusy should try the delightfully tart Ruby Grapefruit, both made with 5 mg THC and 10 mg CBD. —C.J.

Like a Moscow mule: Klaus

Created by mixologist and writer Warren Bobrow, Klaus cans are infused with 10 mg of THC for a mind-opening sense of euphoria. A fan of Moscow mules? Try the Mezzrole, a piquant blend of French limes, Pickett’s spicy-sweet ginger syrup, and tart rice vinegar that finishes with notes of sea salt. —C.J.

A brunchie’s best friend: Pamos

Developed by a team of mixologists seeking to introduce familiar cocktails to the world of cannabis, each Pamos canned spritz is crafted to emulate a classic mixed drink. My fellow baddies who brunch will love the effervescent Bellini Spritz, made with all-natural peach, guava, passion fruit and strawberry, or the Tropical Mai Tai, made with fresh pineapple, Key lime, and amaretto. Each can is dosed with 2 mg CBD, with options ranging from 2–10 mg THC so you can choose your own adventure. —C.J.

The sugar-free sweet life: Wynk

Just as the cheeky name suggests, Wynk is the drink for those looking for something fun yet subtle. While some cannabis drinks on the market tend to rely on fussy flavors or loads of added sugar, this sugar-free seltzer was first introduced in Massachusetts in 2021 and has exploded in popularity nationwide thanks to its refreshing taste and relaxing, euphoric high. Featuring classic flavors like Lime Twist and Tangerine, each can of Wynk contains 5 mg THC and 5 mg CBD for a balanced, full-body effect. —C.J.

The fernet without the regret: Pathfinder

Pathfinder hit the scene with its signature spirit, Hemp & Root, hailing from Capitol Hill Seattle in 2021 as “the world’s finest nonalcoholic spirit and destroyer of bad vibes”. Which isn’t far off from its effects as a hemp-derived beverage that contains no active THC. While floating in a sea of trendy Futura-fonts and poppy Gen Z-labeled brands in the weed beverage category, Pathfinder sits perfectly as a late bloomer that’s about to blow up due to its unique fermented hemp ingredient. Their line of bangers includes The Pathfinder Spritz and The Pathfinder Negroni featuring fun functional herbs like angelica root, saffron, and douglas fir. —Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey

The super fruity sipper: WYLD

With juicy, fruity sweetness and effective highs (ranging from a dissociative and relaxing buzz from the Blackberry Lemon Mellow to an awake and calmly present high from Raspberry Lime Active), these seltzers are strongly, but pleasantly, flavored. They all effectively masked any of the earthier, funkier tastes of THC and CBD and contain about 3g of sugar per can. —Bon Appétit editors

The choose-your-own-adventure packet: Wims! Pocket-Tonic

Each pocket-tonic comes individually packaged, ready to snap and pour into the drink (or meal?) of your choice. We preferred the unflavored original for its versatility (one tester said it tasted vaguely salty and sweet, like an electrolyte packet, and the majority said it mostly disappeared into their chosen drinks), but Wims! also come in ginger lime (a touch bitter) and lemon basil (rather mild citrus) flavors. The tonic is dosed at 4 mg THC to 4 mg of CBD, which translated into “calm” and “cozy” body highs for testers. —editors of Bon Appétit

The mild and mellow: Houseplant

This celeb-backed brand may boast the simplest ingredient list of any beverage we tried: sparkling water, natural flavors, citric acid, and hemp extract. The three flavors (blackberry, citrus, and black cherry) are subtle, but distinct, and since they’re unsweetened, a more natural fruity taste comes through in each. Each can is dosed at 3 mg THC each, which testers reported delivered mild and warm sensations, potentially well-suited towards new, or low-tolerance, users. —Bon Appétit editors

The smooth trip: RIVR

RIVR’s functional teas blend THC with functional mushrooms and other adaptogenic ingredients to create steady, crash-free highs without spikes. Their three flavors, Raspberry Hibiscus Yerba Mate, Mango Passionfruit Yerba Mate, and Blackberry Lavender Tea, are smooth and sippable, with little detectable weed taste. Testers noted a long, but not overwhelming, high. —Bon Appétit editors

Offering a chill and soothing high with a very sweet (around 12 g of sugar per can) taste, testers appreciated how sociable the Peach Bellini and Strawberry Daiquiri varieties left them feeling. These bubbly drinks are easy stand-ins for their alcoholic namesakes and delivered “warm and fun but not destabilizing” buzzes. —Bon Appétit editors

The potent one: Brēz

These “uplifting, relaxing, and social” tonics were the most polarizing of the beverages we tasted. Several testers found the monk fruit or allulose sweeteners (depending on flavor) tipped the drinks in a harshly herbal or saccharine direction, and found the high from the Uplifting Watermelon Lime flavor to be jarringly strong. But others praised the Lemon Elderflower Social variety for a “flowy, grounding” sensation with a light and clear high. —Bon Appétit editors

Sundae Flowers is all about stylish packaging and quality taste (the mochi gummies are especially delectable, like the lychee-dragon fruit, aloe grape, and white strawberry.) The powdered Quickies—which include electrolytes and B12—come in especially portable sachets you can inconspicuously add to any liquid of your choice. The sour yuzu or golden pear are perfect paired with bubbly water, but you can sprinkle the flavorless option to matcha or ramen for a fast-acting, blissed-out perk. —Bon Appétit editors

The steady groove: Nowadays

The 5 mg cans (over the higher dose 10 mg) were the winners among testers, leaving them with a gently tapered, mostly relaxing body high that lasted around 4 hours. Spicy Lime was the pick of the variety pack for its margarita-like bite. —Bon Appétit editors

Chala June is a Congolese-American culinary storyteller and cultural artist. Find them on Instagram at @chala.gram.

Additional reporting by Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey, author of The Art of Weed Butter, and the Bon Appétit editorial team.