Paving the way for cannabis-infused beverages

THC and CBD beverages are a booming business and for many, it’s long overdue. From seltzers to drink mixers, Charleston businesses offer delicious ways to drink your THC and CBD.

Hemp became legal on the federal level in 2018 with the Farm Bill, which opened a new world of possibilities for the cannabis industry. Under this law, if a hemp product has 0.3% THC or less, it is legal. And the timing couldn’t have been better as Americans are trending away from alcohol.

United States beer volumes fell nearly 6% in the first half of 2025. Spirits have declined by 5.6% and wine by 9% over the same time period, according respectively to the Beer Institute and the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America. This decline juxtaposes the sharp rise of the THC drink industry, which is projected to reach $4 billion by 2028 according to Euromonitor International, a London-based market research company.

As drinking THC and CBD — instead of toking or smoking — continues to increase in popularity nationwide, Charleston entrepreneurs and mixologists are paving ways for the trend to take hold in the Lowcountry. From crafting high-quality products for in-store purchase to adding THC-infused drinks to bar menus, here’s how they are doing it.

Infused seltzers hit the shelves

Charleston’s trail-blazing High Rise Beverage Co. crafts THC and CBD seltzers with real ingredients. High Rise drinks are as clean as they come. In addition to using real fruit and no alcohol, the seltzers have no artificial flavors.

“High Rise is all about giving people a different way to enjoy their moment,” said Founder and CEO Matt Skinner. “We make real-fruit, non-alcoholic seltzers infused with THC and CBD. Our drinks are designed to be social, fun and easy to enjoy.”

The seltzers are also gluten free, vegan and non-GMO. Flavors include blood orange, blueberry, lime, pineapple, and cans come infused with 3 mg, 5mg or 10mg of THC. The company also makes a CBD-only seltzer.

A THC beverage has many advantages over an alcoholic drink.

“With High Rise, you get the social energy and relaxation you might want from a drink, but without the negatives that often come with alcohol — no hangover, fewer calories, no dehydration and no regrets the next day,” shared Skinner. “Plus, you’re in control. Our cans are carefully dosed so you can sip, enjoy and know exactly what you’re getting every time.”

Skinner noted the public has become more curious about and open to products like High Rise. While this beverage space barely existed in this category five years ago, now people are actively talking about the health and wellness benefits of non-alcoholic options like High Rise.

“Grocery and other large chains are starting to recognize the demand for THC beverages, and as they open their doors to the category, it allows us to reach more people in more places.”
High Rise is currently available in almost 20 states and is working with distributors to grow, he said.

“Our focus is on building out new states while keeping the same kind of connection to High Rise that we’ve cultivated here in South Carolina. As the category grows, it’s our responsibility to make sure people understand it, enjoy it safely and see it as a trusted option.”

Drink mixers aim to elevate cocktails

Gentlemen Smugglers SIPS are a line of hemp-derived THC drink mixers that can be added to any hot or cold beverage. The company was born out of a documentary on the infamous 1970s marijuana smuggling ring, also known as the Gentlemen Smugglers, that was run from the coast of South Carolina. While working on the documentary about the ring, co-founders Kevin Harrison and Thomas Cutler realized there was opportunity. In 2022, the team launched a cannabis brand, selling legal cannabis in states like Massachusetts, New Mexico, Maryland and New York.

In 2024, as there was a cultural shift away from alcohol and the federal cannabis laws changed, Gentlemen Smugglers created SIPS, premium cannabis-infused drink mixers. They are available in a variety of strengths, and they are all-natural, fast acting, unflavored and alcohol-free.

SIPS come in individual packets and can be poured and mixed into your favorite beverage or food. According to Harrison, the effects are felt within 15 to 30 minutes, thanks to the water-soluble, fast-acting formula, which is a benefit over cannabis products where the timing may vary depending on individual tolerance and metabolism. Each packet contains a precise micro-dose serving of 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of THC. SIPS intentionally has no flavor so it can blend without changing the flavor of what you mix it into.

Over the last five years, Harrison said he has seen the perception of hemp products change dramatically. He said hemp was viewed as less effective than cannabis as recently as 2022, but then people recognized that there were less roadblocks with hemp as it can legally
cross state lines. And big names like Willy Nelson, Snoop Dog and Mike Tyson — traditionally associated with marijuana — started their own hemp companies.

Now that SIPS have a foothold in the market, where does Gentlemen Smugglers go from here? Harrison said that eventually the business will expand into the ready-to-drink market with both a can and a 750-milliliter bottle.

SIPS can be ordered online and shipped directly to your door. Locally you can find it at over 80 stores.

The lime seltzer from High Rise Beverage Co. is a great base for many types of mixed drink | Ruta Smith

THC beverages soon will break into restaurant bars

It is rare to find THC-infused beverages in restaurants in Charleston, but that will surely change as the space grows and people become more familiar with the products. Lane Becker, general manager at FIG, shed some light on where restaurants and bars currently stand with THC-infused drinks.

Becker believes that THC beverages could have a huge effect on the culinary landscape.
“Obviously, they offer a means to a different kind of high, which more traditional non-intoxicating cocktails by definition don’t, so they increase the number of options available to a person abstaining from just alcohol, and they decrease demand for alcoholic cocktails by comparison,” said Becker.

He noted that THC and CBD beverages tend to be easier to substitute for ready-to-drink cocktails than for ingredients on a cocktail bar, which can make them tough to sell at bars where crafting a drink is expected.

“It’ll probably take a long time before craft cocktail bartenders feel like they’ve got the same kind of expertise with THC drinks that they have with alcoholic ones, but I’ll be glad when they do,” he said. He mentioned that he has bartender friends who are wary of offering these types of drinks since their effects and onset time can be hard to predict.

“Just about everybody knows how they’ll feel after an average glass of wine, but that’s just not true of your average THC soda, and for both the people who aren’t drinking because they’re risk-averse and the bartenders who want their guests to be safe and comfortable, that kind of switch is a tough sell,” he said.

As products from companies like High Rise and Gentlemen Smugglers, ones that are highly tested and very consistent, become more widespread, expect to see more THC beverages at your favorite bars and restaurants here in Charleston.