Hangovers are overrated. Yeah, we said it. Who actually enjoys waking up with a pounding headache and swearing off tequila shots until the next weekend? More New Jersey adults are finally saying “nah, I’m good” to booze-heavy nights and leaning into the sober-curious lifestyle. Mocktails, zero-proof bars, and creative non-alcoholic concoctions are having a serious moment. And right in the middle of this shift sits a rising star: cannabis beverages.
You could have your hands on THC seltzers that taste like a bubbly summer afternoon or it could be some CBD mocktails that help you chill without the spins. Truth be told: cannabis drinks are sliding onto menus and dispensary shelves across New Jersey. They’re social, tasty, and the best part? They’re hangover-free. Let’s take a look at why they’re blowing up, where you can see them in action, and how you can bring the trend home with Theo’s own lineup.
The U.S. Boom in Cannabis Beverages
It’s not just Jersey that’s catching on — cannabis drinks are blowing up nationwide. What started as a niche product for the wellness crowd has turned into a billion-dollar market, with THC seltzers, mocktails, and mixers popping up everywhere from liquor stores to music festivals. A recent Reuters report shows the U.S. market for these beverages already topping $1 billion in 2025, with projections hitting $4 billion by 2028. Even more telling: some retailers say THC drinks now make up 15% of their sales, eating into beer’s territory.
Why? People are rethinking alcohol. Whether it’s about skipping the hangover, staying sharp for the gym the next day, or just wanting a different kind of buzz, cannabis beverages are becoming the go-to alternative. For many, swapping a hard seltzer for a THC one feels like a small change — but multiplied across the country, it’s shifting drinking culture in a big way.
Why Cannabis Drinks Are Trending in New Jersey
The Garden State has always had a thing for drinks. There are Jersey diners pouring bottomless coffee and local breweries slinging craft beers. Sipping is part of the culture. We all know that. But in 2024 and 2025, something new started bubbling up: mocktails and non-alcoholic options.
New Jersey even saw its first zero-proof cocktail bars opening doors in 2024, like Mercantile 1888 in Collingswood, giving locals a space to socialize without alcohol. At the same time, Google Trends shows a spike in searches for “mocktail recipes,” proving people want alternatives that feel just as fun as a drink but without the hangover tax.
Cannabis beverages slide perfectly into this moment. They’re not just another “club soda with lime” situation. These drinks will give you:
- A gentle buzz: Low-dose THC seltzers (think 2–5mg THC) create a light, relaxed vibe without knocking you out. Now, what a concept.
- Flavor without regrets: From watermelon spritzers to lemon-lime fizz, cannabis drinks are designed to taste good and feel good. Yum, yum, yum!
- A wellness-friendly choice: Many NJ adults are cutting back on alcohol as part of healthier living, and cannabis beverages are being seen as a natural alternative. I mean, it’s win-win at this point.
Brands like WYNK, a THC seltzer now showing up in NJ liquor stores, prove the trend is already here. People are curious and cannabis drinks are starting to show up at the same parties that once belonged to craft beer and wine.
From Events to Restaurants: Where Cannabis Beverages Shine
You don’t have to take my word for it: cannabis drinks are stepping out in style all over the state. Let’s peek at a few places they’ve already made a splash:
Cannabis Dinners with a Twist
New Jersey chefs are catching on fast. Chef Louisa Rodriguez has been creating elevated cannabis dinners that pair farm-to-table meals with carefully dosed beverages. It’s not just about “getting high,” it’s about culinary experiences where cannabis works like wine once did, complementing flavors and setting the vibe.
The 4/20 “Munchie Madness” Dinner in Collingswood
Earlier this year, a Collingswood restaurant teamed up with a local alcohol-free bar to host a 4/20 feast that went all out on cannabis pairings. The highlight? Comfort food classics like chicken and waffles matched with a low-dose THC watermelon seltzer (nicknamed “Weed Water”) that gave everyone a bubbly lift without dragging them down the next morning. Events like these show just how seamlessly cannabis can fit into New Jersey’s foodie culture.
Cannabis Cooking Classes in Princeton
Want to DIY your own infused creations? In early 2025, Veda Warrior, a Princeton-based Ayurveda brand, ran a pop-up cooking class teaching adults how to cook with cannabis oils and THC ghee. Imagine walking out with recipes for THC-infused mocktails that taste like spa water but kick like a cocktail.
These events prove cannabis drinks aren’t just a “dispensary trend.” They’re woven into New Jersey dining, wellness, and social culture.
Brand Spotlight: Major & Journeyman — Theo’s Cannabis Drink Picks
Theo doesn’t just talk about cannabis beverages; we stock the good stuff. Our shelves carry two standout brands in the NJ cannabis beverage game, each with its own vibe and style.
Major: Bold Flavor + Fast-Acting Mixers
Major is all about big fruit flavors and a quick onset. Known for its powerful THC mixers, Major uses SoRSE™ Technology to help THC absorb faster, so you don’t have to wait an hour to feel the fun. Most of their bottles pack 100mg THC, but you can pour a splash into sparkling water, juice, or soda for a customizable mocktail.
- Flavors you’ll love: Fruit Punch, Blueberry, Apple Peach, Blackberry Lemonade: sweet, tart, and perfect for mixing.
- Why it works: Great for house parties, BBQs, or social nights. Just add ice, bubbles, and maybe a slice of fruit.
- Pro tip: Start small. These mixers are potent, and effects can kick in within 15–20 minutes.
Major has become one of the top beverage brands in NJ (Headset.io) for good reason: bold taste, reliable onset, and serious social appeal.
Wanna give it a taste? Check it out here!
Journeyman: Infused Lemonade Syrups
Journeyman keeps things bright and flexible with its cannabis-infused lemonade syrups. Instead of a ready-made drink, you get a versatile syrup that you can mix into sparkling water, iced tea, juices, or even your favorite mocktail recipe.
- Why it rocks: You’re the bartender. Add just a splash for a light social sip or pour more when you want a stronger buzz.
- Flavors: Tangy, sweet-tart lemonade that instantly transforms plain seltzer into a party drink.
- Perfect for: Casual sipping at home, DIY mocktails for dinner parties, or impressing friends with a “cannabis cocktail” they’ve never tried before.
- Pro tip: Chill your mix, toss in some fresh fruit, and enjoy the ultimate cannabis lemonade spritz.
Journeyman syrups are a hit for anyone who loves experimenting in the kitchen or just wants an easy, delicious cannabis drink without the fuss.
Curious? Try it yourself!
Bring the Craze Home with Theo’s Cannabis Drinks
Picture this:
- House parties without hangovers – Replace the beer cooler with THC spritzers you mix yourself. Everyone laughs just as hard, the music feels just as good, and no one’s clutching their head the next morning.
- Backyard BBQs with a twist – Pair your burgers and corn on the cob with a crisp cannabis lemonade you made in minutes. It’s refreshing, it’s light, and it’s the perfect summer swap.
- Game nights that stay fun – Instead of sugary cocktails, line up cannabis sodas and mocktail mixes. The games get sillier, and the vibe stays chill.
- Relaxing nights in – Pour a small glass of syrup + seltzer, kick back with Netflix, and unwind without the alcohol crash.
Theo’s cannabis beverages make it ridiculously easy to join the sober-curious movement without sacrificing fun. They’re discreet, easy to dose, and taste way better than “just water.” Plus, you can shop them right here in Franklin Park. Oh, and to make it WAY easier for you, you can choose to have it delivered.
Cannabis Drinks as NJ’s New Social Staple
Think about it: New Jersey once fell in love with craft beer. Then came the wave of local wineries. Now? It’s cannabis beverages’ time to shine. They’re flavorful, fun, and they don’t come with next-day regrets.
Cannabis drinks aren’t a passing fad. They’re the natural next step for a state that loves dining, socializing, and trying what’s fresh. Having infused mocktails at trendy restaurants and THC mixers and lemonade syrups in your own fridge as both available choices, these magical drinks are already weaving into the Garden State’s lifestyle fabric.
So next time you’re planning a party, stocking up for the weekend, or just looking for a better way to unwind, skip the hangover. Mix up a THC spritz or pour yourself a cannabis lemonade. The new social craze is here, and Theo has you covered.
Ready to sip the future? Shop cannabis beverages today at Theo and bring the party home.
