Morgan McLachlan, the master distiller behind adult non-alc (ANA) brand De Soi and botanical spirits line AMASS, is dipping back into an exploding beverage category.
Her new venture, Afterdream – a ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol alternative made with organic hemp-derived cannabis extract, functional botanicals, and plant-based ingredients – launches today in 2mg THC/4mg CBD (8oz) and 5mg THC/10mg CBD (12oz) versions. The “bright tropical flavor” is a nostalgic nod to a classic tropical punch, and designed to “enhance perception, elevate mood, and deepen connection, without dulling the senses,” according to a release.
The name may sound familiar: Afterdream was previously the name of a product from AMASS Botanics, which includes a gin, botanical vodka, a non-alc spirit and a limited edition adaptogenic mushroom spirit. Originally released in 2021, Afterdream was a low-dose cannabis infused spirit with a flavor profile that played in the world of culinary non-alcoholic gin, designed to be mixed in cocktails. It was sold exclusively in Los Angeles-area dispensary chain Sweet Flower. But now is the time to reincarnate a THC-infused product, according to McLachlan.
“While we believed with great conviction in the use case and future of cannabis-infused drinks in the broader beverage market, the route to market and operational complexity at that time proved challenging for this type of product, so we pressed pause on the project until the market and infrastructure matured,” she said.
In just a few years, much has changed in cannabis-infused beverages. Despite the regulatory shakeups, consumer demand has continued to fuel the success of Afterdream’s now canned competitors.
The brand aims to differentiate with a formulation designed to complement rather than fight against the bitter terpene notes from the cannabinoids, said McLachlan. Plus, and there’s an “overall intentionality” behind the functional profile: as with some other rising drinks like Brez, the THC and full-spectrum CBD are buffered with lion’s mane mushroom extract and l-theanine, “layered with to create a layerable, uplifting buzz with a focus on clarity, creativity, and experiencing life more vividly,” she said.
“The reality is that individuals metabolize cannabinoids very differently, according to their physical constitutions,” McLachlan said. “I wanted to create an effect that was pleasant and approachable for everyone.”
Afterdream will remain a subsidiary of Amass Brands Group, but this time contain its own product identity and brand universe. The group’s portfolio has steadily grown to include low- and no-alc products such as Good Twin wine and Body vodka, and agave spirits such as Calirosa Tequila and Gem & Bolt Mezcal, as well as several wine labels.
With a history of being on the cutting edge of trends, McLachlan attributes her philosophy to paying attention to her customers.
“At a macro level, I don’t pay too much attention to fleeting consumer and brand trends, but rather focus on broader long range secular shifts in consumer values, lifestyle choices, and zeitgeists,” she said. “2025 might seem like a peculiar year to launch a new brand given the perceived instability and chaos in the world, but if I can respond to the evolving need-states of today’s consumers, I have done my job.”
Afterdream will be sold online for $27 per four-pack of 8oz cans and $32 per four-pack of 12oz cans. The company will ship to over 32 states, depending on evolving state regulations. Wholesale will follow in the coming months.