The THC seltzer you need for a hangover-free buzz this holiday season

It’s no secret that Generation Z is drinking less than those who came before them. For millennials and boomers, the holiday season marks happy hours, one too many beers, and a splitting headache the next day — but the younger generation is swapping headaches for more mindful habits.

The “Great Lock In” trend on TikTok isn’t about drinking in the bar after-hours. Instead, it encourages rigorous exercise, self-improvement goals, and a focus on fitness and diet to ring in your best self before January 1 even rears its ugly head. While many will be sipping their juices and detox smoothies to get through the darker months, others might not want to go fully teetotal. Enter THC seltzers: a soothing alternative to alcohol.

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived THC products are now widely available — and the industry is projected to be worth $4.1B by 2028. A hangover-free yet still buzzy drink, THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a component of cannabis. The doses vary from brand to brand, but if you’re new to THC drinks, it’s recommended to start on a low dose (3mg to 5mg). But seltzers are always clearly marked and as fast-acting as alcohol.

Said to give you a warm, controlled buzz, it’s not hard to see the appeal among younger and more health-conscious consumers. Celebrities are also getting in on the action — Seth Rogan has launched his own brand called Houseplant, and Gwyneth Paltrow has called cannabis the “hero ingredient of the future”.

With the holidays here, THC drinks promise to give you a buzz without the hangover. If you’re curious about trying a THC drink, a top brand in the burgeoning market is Cycling Frog. Offering a range of strengths, there’s everything from a margarita mocktail to iced tea lemonade and classic fruity seltzers. Whether you’re gearing up for a party, getting together with fellow sober friends, or planning for a Dry January, these are the Cycling Frog THC drinks to sip.

Available in a six- or 24-pack, this margarita mocktail is said to have a bold citrus flavor and a touch of salt — just like the cocktail you know and love.

Each can contains 10mg THC, and Cycling Frog claims you’ll feel a moderate buzz within 10 to 15 minutes with no hangover the next day. And you can reportedly expect the effects to last between one to four hours. We’re yet to test Cycling Frog’s THC cans for ourselves.

Whether you’re pre-gaming for the holiday party or simply chilling on the couch, Cycling Frog’s wild cherry seltzer sounds like the drink to have. Touted as crisp and refreshing, you can drink it straight or mix it into a juice for extra flavor and buzz. Depending on your tolerance, it’s available in 5mg or 10mg THC.

For those who are yet to dabble in THC seltzers, Cycling Frog’s lemon seltzer offers a lower dose at 2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD. They are a great starting point for those who want to test out their tolerance. It can be mixed with non-alcoholic spirits for a zesty cocktail.

THC drinks are infused with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary psychoactive compound derived from cannabis. Owing to THC, these drinks can cause mild intoxication, feelings of relaxation, and altered perception, making them a popular alternative to alcohol.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill, THC drinks derived from hemp (under 0.3%) are federally legal across the United States, but states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin regulate their availability and restrict marijuana products.

These are the best coffee makers for 2025, tried and tested