Inside the Rise of THC Beverages

A booming category meets consumer curiosity—here’s how to make sense of it all

Let’s be honest. Buying THC beverages can feel confusing. You walk into a store and see dozens of options. Different dosages. Different formats. A lot of noise. You probably have questions. What will it feel like? What dosage is right for you? How do you navigate what feels like an overwhelming assortment? And frankly, where do you even start?

Courtesy of Top Ten Liquors

At Top Ten Liquors, we’ve seen the THC beverage category explode—growing more than 20% year over year in our stores alone. But what matters is helping people feel comfortable understanding it and trying it. We created this column to help simplify trying something new.

Start With Dosage

“How much should I take?” is one of the most common questions we get.

  • Under 5 mg—Light and easy. A great place to start. Many customers stay at this level or have multiple under-5-mg products over time.
  • 5 mg—Balanced and relaxing. The most common entry point. Many customers say they feel mild effects. Some describe the buzz as similar to what they feel after a glass of wine.
  • 10 mg—Stronger. Better suited for more experienced users. Many customers say they feel more noticeable effects. Some compare it to a few glasses of wine.

Start low. See how it feels. Adjust from there. As with any product, effects vary from person to person.

Find Something You Actually Like to Drink

This matters more than people think. There’s a wide range of drinks—seltzers, sodas, teas, lemonades, and mocktails, plus full-calorie and low-calorie options. At the end of the day, the best product is the one you enjoy. Most customers tell us taste matters just as much as anything else.

Try a few. Approach it like a wine tasting—sample different styles and brands to see what suits your palate. Find your go-to.

Why People Are Turning to THC

We see it every day in our stores. About one in four customers visiting our 15 Twin Cities locations has already purchased a THC product—and that number continues to grow. When we ask why, the feedback is pretty consistent:

  • Many customers say they enjoy the feeling as an alternative to alcohol.
  • Many report no hangover the next day.
  • Some customers say it helps them unwind or supports better sleep.

Of course, everyone’s experience is different.

The Bottom Line

THC beverages don’t need to be complicated. Start low. Try a few. Ask questions. Our staff is trained and ready to help—just ask. That’s what we’re here for.

New to THC? Stop in and ask us for a simple place to start—we’ll point you in the right direction.

Warning: Hemp products containing THC are not for use by anyone under the age of 21. Using hemp products containing THC may cause drowsiness, and can affect focus, reaction time, and decision-making. These products are not evaluated or approved by the FDA. Pregnant people should avoid hemp products containing THC due to the risk of low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, and harm to fetal brain development.