The nonalcoholic beverage industry enjoys a staggering amount of business in the U.S. According to Beverage Digest, Americans spent nearly $2 billion on nonalcoholic beverages in 2017—more than any other country in the world and double that of its closest competitor, China.
It’s no surprise, then, that CBD-infused beverages are poised to push the beverage market to new highs achieving a projected value of $260 million in the U.S. by 2022. Already, such additions as sparkling tonics, sodas, water and even coffee are making their way onto store shelves. But it doesn’t end there.
Numerous U.S. beer manufacturers have announced plans to look into creating nonalcoholic beverages infused with CBD. Craft brewers already are experimenting with how CBD mixes with alcohol to create an entirely new subset of craft brewing. And there’s even wine infused with cannabidiol, offering the effects of CBD in a glass of red, white or even a bottle of bubbly.
The sports nutrition and recovery drink market are highly competitive and increasingly crowded, and CBD-infused products are emerging to raise the stakes in this area. Recovery drinks are primarily used by athletes to replace fluids lost during a workout and to provide carbohydrates and protein after exercising.
Proponents of CBD consider it an excellent addition to recovery drinks because of its ability to reduce inflammation—which often accompanies a difficult workout—and help muscles relax. Among the many different iterations of sports nutrition and recovery drinks infused with CBD oil are protein powders, juices and powdered mixes that can be added to water or other drinks.
A handful of new companies are targeting athletes specifically, with product lines that include CBD sports recovery drinks and topical creams, roll-on sticks and capsules designed to boost recovery and ease the pain and strains of a tough game or workout.
So why drink your CBD? CBD is believed to provide relief from a wide range of conditions including epileptic seizures, inflammation, sleeplessness, arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, depression, anxiety and migraines. It is also considered to be used for overall health & wellness and mental alertness. Whatever your reason may be for trying beverages infused with CBD, one of the biggest advantages is ease of use and convenience. Whether infused into alkaline water or a cuppa joe, the CBD beverage trend here and poised for rapid growth.
Try one of these drinkable CBD options to get your morning started right:
Golden Milk
Turmeric, one of the ingredients in Golden Milk, helps the body’s endocannabinoid receptors become more active to readily utilize the CBD in the drink. This is a perfect combination of anti-inflammatory benefits and a delicious beverage.
- 1 serving
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried turmeric
- 1 piece (1/2-inch) fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 serving CBD Powder
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
In
a small saucepan, whisk coconut milk, turmeric, ginger and peppercorns over
medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes. Pour
mixture through a sieve into a mug, add in CBD powder and stir well. Enjoy immediately.
Matcha Latte
The incredible antioxidants found in matcha, EGCG, help to stimulate the receptors on your body’s endocannabinoid system, which allows your body to be more open to absorbing the benefits of CBD.
1 serving
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1 serving CBD powder
- 1 cup milk of choice (cows, almond, coconut, etc.)
Combine hot water and matcha in a large mug. Use a whisk and stir until matcha is dissolved. Add in the CBD powder and whisk more. Pour milk into a saucepan and bring to a low simmer over medium-high heat. Pour milk into the mug with the matcha and CBD Powder. Whisk some more and enjoy warm.
Recipes courtesy of Brooke Alpert
