5 Reasons Manufacturers Are Using Terpenes in Cannabis Beverages

Cannabis beverages are trending, and consumers demand high-quality products. Learn five reasons manufacturers are using terpenes in THC drinks.

Between increased legalization and advancements in water-soluble cannabis extracts, cannabis beverages have come a long way in just a few years. Even big players like Pabst are throwing their hat in the ring with THC beverages that can be purchased in dispensaries. 

When you consider the diverse consumer base for cannabis products, the popularity of THC beverages makes a lot of sense. Not only are they convenient to consume with easy-to-understand dosing, but consumers can also choose beverages with unique flavors and effects. 

So, why are manufacturers using terpenes and terpene-based flavors in these drinks? Keep reading and discover five pivotal reasons manufacturers are using terpenes in cannabis beverages.

Here’s a breakdown of what we’re covering today...

• Whether you want a beverage with a classic, strain-specific, or entirely new flavor, terpenes can infuse beverages with aromas and flavors consumers love.
• Terpenes are calorie-free and sugar-free, making them the perfect option for health-conscious brands that want to meet the demand for clean labels.
• If your THC drink promises a specific experience, you must ensure your formulation includes ingredients contributing to that experience. Terpenes can do just that!
• Since our terpenes don’t contain cannabinoids, they won’t influence the overall dosing of your product. Low-dose, high-dose, and even CBD beverages can use terpenes for flavor, aroma, and sensory effects. 
• Terpene brewing solutions provide essential benefits for manufacturers, from water solubility and a 100% utilization rate to ease of use and MORE.

The Skyarm Series is a collection of TTB-approved fruit flavors. These high-amplitude flavors are built with terpenes for the ultimate consistency, ensuring the same flavor every season. Create canna bevs with mouthwatering fruit flavors consumers love.

What’s the Hype About Cannabis Beverages?

Cannabis beverages are precisely what they sound like. Be it a sports drink, soft drink, relaxing tea, or even an alcoholic beverage, these products all contain cannabis in some form. Some have more cannabis than others, and some only have non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD. 

According to Fortune Business Insights, the 2023 global market size for cannabis beverages was USD 2.04 billion and is expected to grow to USD 117.05 billion by 2032.¹ The success of these products isn’t a mystery, either. As more states legalize recreational cannabis, it’s becoming easier for consumers to substitute other products for cannabis. For example, the term “Cali-Sober” describes recreational cannabis consumers who refrain from alcohol in favor of cannabis products. 

Additionally, the simplicity of a beverage can make it easier for first-time consumers who refrain from other consumption methods for various reasons. THC drinks let consumers ingest cannabis without smoking or needing to eat some of the more traditional edible options like gummies or cookies. 

For those who prefer not to smoke or who don’t wish to consume foods they view as “unhealthy,” THC drinks are a practical alternative. The dosing in each ready to drink beverage is simple, they’re easy to consume, etc.

So, why are so many manufacturers choosing to use terpene brewing solutions in their cannabis beverages? We’re so glad you asked!

1 | Use Terpene Brewing Solutions to Infuse Bevs With Flavor & Aroma

THC drinks are in a unique position to appeal to more than typical cannabis consumers. From alcohol drinkers looking for a better-for-you buzz to the first-time canna-curious who may feel beverages are more approachable than other consumption methods. 

With this in mind, designing beverages with familiar flavors, like fruit, can play an essential role in creating THC drinks that appeal to a wide range of consumers. This is where terpene brewing solutions like the Skyfarm Series enter the picture. These beverage flavor solutions are built from the ground up using isolated terpenes to provide the brightest fruit flavor expression possible. 

What about manufacturers who wish to incorporate strain-specific flavors and aromas? Relying on cannabis extracts alone isn’t really an option since the extraction process often alters or destroys the natural aromatic compounds from the plant. Fortunately, our BrewGas Series doesn’t have that issue. These are true-to-type, botanically-derived cannabis profiles that can easily infuse drinks with all the complexities of cannabis flavor and aroma.

The BrewGas Series is a collection of the world’s gassiest and skunkiest cannabis profiles — without the cannabis. Our botanically derived terpenes contain zero THC or CBD and are TTB-approved, ensuring compliance for brewers, seltzer makers, and craft beverage creators.

2 | Terpenes are Sugar-Free and Calorie-Free

For those making low-calorie and/or sugar-free beverages, terpenes are a great option because they won’t add additional calories or sugars. This allows manufacturers to create unique flavors and aromas without sacrificing the health-conscious attitude of their brand. 

This is becoming increasingly important as the clean label trend continues to grow. While “clean label” is not an official designation and it has no legal definition, clean label shoppers want products with as few ingredients as possible, with recognizable ingredients, and none of the ingredients and additives they perceive as “bad” or “unhealthy.”

Not only do our terpene brewing solutions contain zero calories or sugars, but manufacturers can use “Natural Flavors” on their ingredient list for that clean finished label. 

3 | Terpenes Help Promote Sensorial Effects

Sometimes, consumers want products that help them wind down. Other times, they want a euphoric burst of stimulation. Whether you’re formulating a beverage that facilitates creativity or a relaxing sense of peace, our AI Terp Effects can help.

These mood-enhancing terpene blends are crafted using machine learning and optimized to deliver specific effects based on over one million data points. Each AI Terp Effect blend is optimized for one specific mood effect. It’s a laser-focused approach to functional products that allows you to create predictable, repeatable, and scalable effects.

For THC drinks, this is a game changer. Have cannabis sparkling water that’s supposed to help consumers wind down at the end of the day? Want to give your functional CBD bev an edge over the competition? Use AI Terp Effects for a beverage formulation that more effectively delivers the experience your customers want.

Our AI Terp Effect formulas are crafted using machine learning in partnership with Dr. Avery Gilbert and The Effects Lab by budboard. These flavorless and odorless blends are optimized to deliver specific effects based on over one million data points. Use water-soluble AI Terp Effects for formulations that more effectively deliver the experiences your customers want.

4 | Terpenes Are Ideal For Low-Dose AND High-Dose Cannabis Beverages

Terpenes are an excellent option for cannabis beverages, regardless of their potency. Whether your products are designed to provide mild effects or a truly mind-melting experience, terpenes can enhance flavor, aroma, and sensations without throwing off the cannabis dosing of your product.

Even the BrewGas Series is made from botanically derived terpenes and contains no cannabinoids. That means manufacturers will have complete control over the THC levels of their products AND the final flavor and aroma. It also means that beverages with non-psychoactive cannabinoids (like CBD) can harness the power of terpenes without worry.

5 | Terpene Flavor Solutions Resolve Common Brewing Issues

A lot of the complaints about early THC beverages had to do with the lack of water-soluble cannabis flavor solutions. Many cannabis extracts, which are usually oil-based, can impart earthy and/or bitter flavors. When oil-based ingredients are used in a beverage, they’ll naturally float to the surface. This makes that first sip somewhat unpleasant, and it can taste “oily” and “grassy.” 

Fortunately, advancements in extracts have made it easier to infuse beverages with fewer undesirable flavors. Some don’t impart any flavor whatsoever, which is a big win for consumers who wish to consume cannabis without the actual taste of cannabis. When it comes to adding fruit flavor or true-to-type cannabis flavor, our terpene brewing solutions provide game-changing brewing benefits:

• Water-soluble means no yield loss
• 100% utilization rate
• No sugar means no risk of refermentation
• No workflow modifications are required
• No added mouthfeel
• Hyper concentrated
• Simple storage
• Nothing to gunk up your tanks
• And MORE!

Like with any beverage formulation, selecting the right ingredients is crucial. In the end, a THC drink must taste great and feel great to be successful. That all starts with water-soluble flavor ingredients designed explicitly for this beverage category.

Abstrax | Enhance THC Beverages with Terpenes 

We provide novel solutions for beverage manufacturers looking to streamline, innovate, and gain a competitive edge. With our knowledge, technology, and extensive resources, we’ve crafted our BrewGas Series to provide true-to-type “dank” cannabis flavors and our Skyfarm Series to make adding the most aromatic fruit flavor top notes to beverages easier than ever.

We also recognize that creating a successful, consumer-friendly product sometimes means formulating custom flavors that have never been seen before. Want to complement the natural flavors of cannabis with high-intensity Clementine? Do your customers love your Pineapple Express sparkling water but want a Guava twist?

Contact us today, and let’s create the best-tasting THC drinks with customized flavors your customers will crave.

1. Cannabis Beverages Market Size, Share, Trends, 2032. Fortune Business Insights. (2025, March 3). https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/cannabis-beverages-market-100738 

Terpene Profiles and Blends for Canna Beverages

SHOP Energized

Smooth, functional energy without the crash. Energized is formulated to avoid the jitters and the racing mind that sometimes come with energy-boosting products.

 

SHOP Focused

Extra alert without the paranoia. Focused is formulated so that your mood stays elevated along with sharpened mental clarity. Perfect for those long study sessions. 

SHOP Peaceful

Positive mood enhancement. Peaceful is formulated to promote feelings of total relaxation without sedation. Kick back, tune out, and unwind.

 

SHOP Relaxed

Perfect for the end of the day. Relaxed is formulated for that zen feeling without any brain fog. Let it carry you away.

SHOP Inspired

All creatives know what it feels like to be "in the zone". Inspired is formulated to capture that feeling so that creativity can flow for hours without limits.