Never has the phrase “hold my beer” felt more appropriate: as we head into the summer months, expect next-gen functional beverages featuring ingredients like THC/CBD (Squier’s), mushrooms (High Ground) and kava (Bashi) to grab their share of beach BBQ coolers — along with new takes on seasonal classics like sweet tea (Halfday). To submit your beverage product to BevNET for review, click here. And to browse past reviews, check the archive here.
Maine-based Squier’s Specialty Elixirs launched a few years back with a line of THC-infused syrups for home use, and is now making the leap into ready-to-drink with hemp-derived seltzers that are flavored with real fruit. We tried two of the first flavors — Blueberry Lemon and Mandarin Mango, each with 5mg THC and 10mg CBD per 12 oz can, as well as 60 calories and 14 grams of sugar. The full lineup also includes Raspberry Lime and Pink Pineapple.
Things that stand out
- Really outstanding flavor. Positioned perfectly at the intersection of soda and sparkling juice, both SKUs are bright, fresh and juicy, with a crisply carbonated finish. Mandarin Mango tastes like the Orangina they serve in heaven.
- Clean and clear call-outs across the label. We like the use of “THC-infused Seltzer with 100% Real Fruit” as a descriptor, as well as how the “What’s Inside” listing on the back emphasizes ingredients like “1 Mandarin Orange,” “⅛ Mango,” “Organic Agave” and “Premium Flower.”
- Individual color accents for each flavor give them a strong shelf presence, and the use of a printed can rather than sleeve looks sharp and premium.
Things to consider
- Some additional elements may be overkill; prebiotics, for example, add some functionality, but may be less relevant to someone shopping for an intoxicating THC drink.
- Call out to “Hydrate Mind & Body” may give the wrong impression, given that “hydration” is something of its own category within beverages.
Rating: 
Bashi is a two-SKU line of functional beverages that use a blend of kava and functional mushrooms. The lineup includes Peach Mango (targeting anxiety relief and focus) and Blueberry Lemon (aimed at sleep and recovery). Each 8 oz can contains 45 calories and 7 grams of added sugar and is dressed in an unapologetically bold package that speaks directly to its audience.
Things that stand out:
- The flavor of both SKUs is definitely that of a functional drink, but we like the notes of ginger, the touch of sweetness, and the tingly sensation of the kava. Both are fruit forward
- Clean formulations and, with just 45 calories per can, Bashi feels positioned to be one of the more health-conscious entries in the kava beverage space. We really like the pairing of functional mushrooms, kava, and ginger juice.
- The branding is vibrant and eye-catching, with a bold single color design for each can with the color used to distinguish between the two flavors. The side of the can contains large, edgy taglines like “Perk the f*ck up” and “Chill the f*ck out.” Both of these should give it a strong shelf presence.
Things to consider:
- The dual-function approach to the brand – where each of the flavors has a slightly different purpose – under a single brand may dilute the core messaging; focusing on one function might enhance brand clarity.
- The kava callout is relegated to the bottom of the can and risks being overlooked by consumers unfamiliar with the ingredient. Front-facing communication could benefit from bolder cues: calories, function, and serving size are all under-emphasized on the front panel.
Rating: 
Halfday continues its evolution with the release of a new limited-edition Tropical Tea flavor, reinforcing the brand’s identity as a modern iced tea offering with functional benefits. Each 12 oz can contains 35 calories, 4 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of fiber, and is sweetened with a blend of sugar, juice, and stevia.
Things that stand out:
- Excellent flavor that balances iced tea notes with juicy tropical fruit. Sweetness is restrained and well-rounded, with little of the stevia aftertaste often found in low-sugar beverages. The product feels ripe for the mainstream.
- Packaging is vibrant and inviting, featuring a sunset-inspired color palette that’s eye-catching and seasonal. Plus, the brand identity continues to mature in a way that aligns well with wellness-minded tea drinkers while also giving Halfday a polished appearance.
Things to consider:
- A front-of-pack calorie callout might be helpful, since it’s a key differentiator amongst other sweetened teas.
- Offering additional package sizes could help broaden consumption occasions and attract new consumers.
Rating:
High Ground Functional Seltzer
High Ground is a wellness-forward sparkling beverage that delivers a significant punch of adaptogenic mushrooms (3,000mg per can) from a blend that includes lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga and turkey tail. Each 12 ounce can has 25 calories and no added sugar, with natural sweetness from juice (12-13% per can) and monk fruit. The flavor lineup includes two SKUs: Strawberry Peach and Yuzu Lime.
Things that stand out:
- Delivers a substantial amount of functional mushrooms in each can.
- Flavor execution of both SKUs is good. Both are tasty and can hold their own against other low calorie functional beverages. We especially like the decision to flavor each variety with juice, as they taste much more accurate than products that rely exclusively on flavoring.
- A timely, on-trend alternative to energy drinks and other functional beverages that features basically every functional mushroom that’s commonly used in food or beverage products.
Things to consider:
- The name “High Ground” strongly evokes associations with intoxicating THC beverages, which may confuse consumers or suggest a cannabis tie-in that doesn’t exist.
- The branding feels overly technical and needs improvement in visual appeal. There’s a lot going on on the front of the can, too. A brand refresh feels like the most pressing issue for High Ground to address.
Rating: 