THC Seltzer: The New Favorite for Cannabis Enthusiasts
Hemp-derived THC seltzers have emerged in the beverages market as a delicious surprise for many. They provide a tasty and refreshing alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages and fast-acting effects without the heavy calories of alcohol—without the hangover. Now, one multi-generational family farm in Indiana has launched a brand, Floral Beverages, that is earning awards for its array of THC drinks.
A Family Operation Providing ‘Weed Drinks’
Floral Beverages started just before COVID-19, the brainchild of a family of Rust Belt farmers who were searching for a way to bring more high-paying agricultural jobs to the rural Indiana economy while encouraging a more health-conscious diet and lifestyle. The pandemic and lockdown did require them to proceed slowly and frugally, but it also gave this family farm time to fine-tune their line of THC seltzers, experimenting with a cornucopia of different flavors and ingredients.
Trying to stay methodical and well-funded while awaiting the market’s reopening, Floral Beverages’s persistence has paid off. From Strawberry Mango to Tropical to Harvest Apple, the family company offers an extensive catalog of beverages that can be “served chilled and chill” and as a great accompaniment to hearty Midwestern snacks.
THC Beverages From Farm to Fridge
Preserving its family-farm ethos in an industry that doesn’t always prioritize transparency, Floral Beverages ensures a “farm-to-fridge” experience, allowing consumers to trace every ingredient from the soil to the aluminum can in their hand. The team includes not only farmers but chemists, herbalists, and attorneys overseeing each step. “That means you don’t need to worry about where your product was grown,” the company’s website concludes, “where it was purified, who formulated it, or how it was canned. In a new industry where it’s hard to know who to trust, we’re setting the standard for product quality and transparency.”
Before the cannabis is planted, Floral Beverages tests the soil extensively to make sure there are no unwelcome chemicals present. The plants get their start in a nutrient-rich greenhouse before being transplanted in the fields. State inspectors visit the farm before harvest to take samples. Once it has been confirmed that the full-grown, Christmas-tree-sized plants contain the correct amount of Delta-9 THC, they are harvested and taken to a drying facility. Modeled closely after the Kentucky drying barns of previous generations, the facility allows natural breezes through open-air doors so the plants can dry gently.
Once the crude oil is extracted and purified, the hemp distillate is blended with a cocktail of ingredients and is put through a solubilizing process that helps the resulting concoction mimic alcohol—but without the ethanol. The THC drink is then validated by third-party, accredited laboratories and finally carbonated, chilled, and packaged in a canning operation that resembles a craft beer brewery, though without fermentation—all to create a safe and enjoyable beverage alternative for those looking to drink less alcohol.
Drinking Objectively with ‘Weed-Infused’ Drinks
The motto behind the creation and delivery of these ‘weed-infused’ drinks is ‘Drink Objectively’. “Our product gives a responsibly-portioned social buzz without the calories or hangover,” says the founder of Floral Beverages. It’s an approach that is already earning Floral Beverages national recognition, and two of their drinks became the first THC beverages to compete in a national alcohol competition and medal in 2023. Their Modern Mule won a Silver in the Overall Mixed Drink category of the U.S. Hard Seltzer Championship, and their THC-infused Margarita won a Bronze in the Margarita category.
You can explore Floral Beverages’ THC seltzers and Delta-9 THC cocktails by browsing their online drink menu.
*Images sourced from Floral Beverages
