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What Is CBD in Drinks?
CBD drinks contain cannabidiol — a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp. They will not get you high. In the UK, CBD beverages must contain less than 1mg of THC per product and comply with Food Standards Agency Novel Food regulations. They are a growing category in the wellness and functional drinks market.
CBD stands for cannabidiol — one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis and hemp plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is non-psychoactive: it does not produce the "high" associated with cannabis. CBD drinks are beverages — sparkling water, still water, sodas, teas, energy drinks and flavoured shots — infused with a measured amount of CBD extract. They are sold as functional wellness beverages aimed at people looking for relaxation, stress relief, improved focus or sleep support without any intoxicating effect. In the UK, CBD drinks are legal provided they meet strict requirements: less than 1mg of THC per product, CBD derived from approved hemp strains, and compliance with the FSA's Novel Food regulations for ingestible CBD products.
What CBD Actually Is
Cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp plant — the same species as cannabis (Cannabis sativa) but bred to contain very low THC and relatively high CBD. CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors distributed throughout the brain, nervous system and immune system that helps regulate functions including mood, sleep, inflammation and pain response.
CBD does not bind to the CB1 receptors in the brain the way THC does — the receptors responsible for the intoxicating "high" of cannabis. This is why CBD is non-psychoactive: it influences the endocannabinoid system through different pathways without producing euphoria, altered perception or impaired thinking. The effects described by CBD drink users are typically subtle: mild relaxation, reduced anxiety or improved sleep quality rather than any intoxicating sensation.
Types of CBD Drinks Available in the UK
CBD sparkling water
The most common format. Still or sparkling water infused with CBD extract, often with natural flavourings. Neutral taste, easy to dose. Popular as an everyday functional drink. Typically contains 10mg to 25mg CBD per can.
CBD sodas and flavoured drinks
Flavoured CBD beverages in formats similar to energy drinks or soft drinks. Often combined with adaptogens, vitamins or botanicals. Wide variety of flavours including citrus, berry and tropical. Typically 15mg to 30mg CBD per bottle.
CBD tea and infusions
Hemp-derived CBD tea bags or loose leaf infusions. Some products use full-spectrum hemp extract in tea bags; others add CBD isolate to conventional teas. Popular for evening relaxation and sleep support.
CBD shots
Concentrated small-volume beverages (typically 25ml to 50ml) with higher CBD doses per serving. Often combined with melatonin for sleep support or adaptogens for stress. Typically 20mg to 50mg CBD per shot.
CBD energy drinks
Combines CBD with caffeine and B vitamins for a balanced stimulating and calming effect. The combination of caffeine's alertness with CBD's reputed anxiety-reduction is the core appeal. Popular in the fitness and sports recovery market.
CBD in cocktail mixers and alcohol alternatives
CBD-infused botanical mixers and non-alcoholic drinks positioned as alternatives to alcohol. Growing category in the mindful drinking and sober-curious market. Often combined with other relaxing botanicals such as ashwagandha or valerian.
UK Legal Requirements for CBD Drinks
CBD drinks in the UK are regulated as food products and must meet several overlapping requirements:
THC limit: less than 1mg per product
UK CBD food and drink products must contain less than 1mg of THC per unit — not per 100ml but per the entire container. This ensures no psychoactive effect is possible from consumption of the product as labelled.
FSA Novel Food compliance
Ingestible CBD products — including drinks — are classified as novel foods in the UK because CBD was not consumed to a significant degree before May 1997. Brands must submit safety applications to the Food Standards Agency. The FSA maintains a public list of validated applications. In August 2025, the FSA opened its first public consultation on authorisation of specific CBD food products.
Daily consumption guideline: 70mg maximum
The FSA advises healthy adults not to consume more than 70mg of CBD per day from food supplements and drinks, unless under medical supervision. This is a safety guideline, not a legal hard limit, but reputable brands comply.
No medicinal claims permitted
CBD drink brands cannot legally claim their products cure, treat or prevent any medical condition — including anxiety, pain, insomnia or inflammation. Only licensed medicines may make medicinal claims. Brands use wellness language instead: "supports relaxation" rather than "treats anxiety."
Third-party laboratory testing
Compliant brands publish Certificates of Analysis from independent laboratories confirming CBD content, THC content and absence of contaminants. This is not legally mandatory but is the practical standard consumers should expect from any reputable CBD drink brand.
CBD does not bind to the brain receptors that produce a "high" — compliant CBD drinks will not cause intoxication, impaired thinking or altered perception
UK-legal CBD drinks must contain less than 1mg of THC per product — ensuring no psychoactive effect from the THC content is possible
The FSA advises healthy adults not to exceed 70mg of CBD per day from food and drink — check the CBD content per serving on any product you buy
What Effects Do CBD Drinks Have?
The effects of CBD drinks are a subject of ongoing research. Unlike pharmaceutical CBD medicines (such as Epidyolex, licensed for certain epilepsy types), consumer CBD drinks are sold as food supplements and cannot make specific medical claims. What the current research and user reports suggest:
- Relaxation and mild anxiety reduction are the most consistently reported effects among CBD drink users. Research into CBD's anxiolytic properties is ongoing and shows promising results at therapeutic doses, though the doses in consumer drinks are typically lower than those studied clinically.
- CBD may interact with the endocannabinoid system in ways that support sleep quality for some users, particularly at higher doses approaching the 70mg daily guideline.
- The onset of effects from CBD drinks is slower than from CBD vaping — typically 30 to 90 minutes as the CBD is processed through the digestive system — but the effects may last longer.
- CBD's bioavailability when consumed in a drink is lower than when vaped or taken as an oil under the tongue. Water-soluble CBD formulations (nanoemulsion technology) in some premium drinks improve absorption compared to standard CBD extracts.
- Individual response to CBD varies significantly. Some people notice clear effects at 15mg to 25mg; others notice very little at the same dose.
When buying a CBD drink in the UK, look for three things: a clearly labelled CBD content per serving in milligrams, a THC content below 1mg per product, and a published Certificate of Analysis from an independent laboratory confirming both. Brands that do not publish lab results should be approached with caution — one UK study found significant inconsistency in CBD content across consumer products, with some containing more or less CBD than claimed. The FSA's public list of validated CBD novel food applications is a useful reference for checking whether a brand has submitted appropriate safety data.
Part of Our Guide
Help & Guidance Centre
This article is part of the Purple Haze MK Help and Guidance Centre. For more CBD guidance, visit the Purple Haze MK Help and Guidance Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a CBD drink get me high?
No. Compliant UK CBD drinks contain less than 1mg of THC per product — an amount too small to produce any psychoactive effect. CBD itself is non-psychoactive and does not produce a "high" regardless of dose. A CBD drink consumed as directed will not impair your ability to drive, work or think clearly. If a product claims otherwise, it is not a legally compliant CBD product.
Can CBD drinks show up on a drug test?
Standard workplace drug tests screen for THC metabolites, not CBD. A compliant CBD drink containing less than 1mg THC per product is very unlikely to produce a positive drug test result at typical consumption levels. However, regular high-dose consumption of full-spectrum CBD products (which contain trace THC) could theoretically accumulate enough THC metabolites to trigger a sensitive test. If you are subject to workplace drug testing, choose CBD isolate or broad-spectrum products with no detectable THC, and consult your employer or occupational health provider.
How much CBD should a CBD drink contain?
Most UK CBD drinks contain between 10mg and 30mg of CBD per serving. The FSA's daily guideline of 70mg maximum across all CBD products means that at 25mg per can, you have headroom for two to three cans per day before approaching the advisory limit. If you take other CBD products (oils, gummies, capsules), count all sources toward your daily total. Start with a lower-strength product if you are new to CBD beverages.
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