Cannabis Beverages Are Redefining Charlotte’s Cocktail Culture
CharlotteFive talks to Charlotte restaurateurs at the inaugural Michelin Guide American South ceremony on Monday, Nov. 3, in Greenville, SC.
Cannabis beverages — sparkling, citrusy, slightly herbaceous, and increasingly easy to find on menus in Charlotte — are quietly changing the way people unwind. For those not in the know, THC is the compound in cannabis that imparts the high. But beverages that contain THC don’t hit like alcohol; instead, they cause a sensation that’s more like a slow exhale that makes the room feel softer, the music warmer, and your friends a little funnier. These aren’t frat-party edibles or medicinal tinctures; they’re the next wave of social drinking cannabis reimagined as happy hour’s mellow cousin.
Cannabis beverages often include CBD as well. CBD, unlike THC, doesn’t produce a high but instead brings calm without the fog. This is why many people turn to CBD for sleep or anxiety relief or for a chill night out.
And it’s not just cannabis beverages like seltzers that are selling briskly around town. In the same way bartenders learned to coax flavors from bitters and botanicals, cannabis makers are doing the same with THC and CBD, creating products that mixologists use to craft unique cocktails. The results are a new kind of drink that bridges bar culture and cannabis culture — minus the hangover.
The Bar at Supperland, located at 1212 The Plaza, now offers two cannabis cocktails. “I Like to Party” features a booze-free, THC-infused gin, while “Word Up” delivers a mellow twist on the classic Last Word.
At Folia in South End, the team serves four drinks made with Loyal Oils, a Charlotte-based alternative to alcohol. Loyal Oils’ strawberry lemonade shines in Colorado Vice, while the zero-proof espresso martini Wake & Bake Abuelita uses the blueberry lemonade blend. For many locals, Folia has become a destination for creative cannabis beverages with elevated flair.
Over in Villa Heights, Humbug serves THC-infused hard seltzers from Bodega Sodas in flavors like Grape Drank and Bubbly Melon Kiwi. Resident Culture Brewery has also joined the movement, launching its Cümulo line of cannabis beverages that range from gentle 2.5 mg options to 30 mg versions for experienced consumers.
Even pizza lovers can find cannabis beverages at Zämbies in NoDa, featuring THC-infused drinks from Five Flowers that pair perfectly with a late-night slice.
From breweries to cocktail bars, Charlotte’s culinary scene is embracing cannabis beverages as a sophisticated, social alternative to alcohol one sip at a time.
