Drinks Retailers On Trends In The Hemp THC Space
August 26, 2025This summer, hemp-derived THC-infused beverages are flying off the shelves in the 20-plus states where they’re legal. “I started selling THC drinks in spring of 2024, but they really have started to take off this summer,” says Vince Liotta, owner of the three-unit Sal’s Beverage World in the Chicago suburbs. “From May 1st to July 15th, the category is up over 2,000%.”
Sal’s carries more than 60 THC beverage SKUs, which are stacked on an endcap and featured in a section of the beer department. They’ve been promoted in the store’s weekly online ad. Top-sellers include Gigli THC Seltzer 10mg ($18 a four-pack of 12-ounce cans) and 5mg ($17) and Wynk Variety Pack 5mg ($38 a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans).
“The variety four- and 12-packs sell the most,” Liotta says, adding that he anticipates THC beverage sales to continue growing for the foreseeable future. “I don’t think this is going to be a cyclical category where it will just drop off,” he says. “In the future, I believe it will even sell better than hard seltzers.”
While New York liquor stores are prevented from selling non-alcoholic beverages, retailers with the appropriate cannabis license are selling THC drinks. “We started selling hemp THC beverages when they became legal in 2021,” says Mark Notarius, co-owner of specialty grocer Premier Gourmet in Amherst, New York. “Sales so far this summer are about 2.5 times what they were this time last year.”
Premier Gourmet carries about 40 THC beverage SKUs, and that number is expected to increase 30%-40% by the end of the year. The three top-selling THC beverage brands at Premier Gourmet are Cycling Frog ($21 a six-pack of 12-ounce cans), Delta Crush ($21-$26 a six-pack), and Brez Amplify ($20 to $23 a four-pack of 12-ounce cans).
Notarius has done little advertising for THC beverages but is beginning to use targeted Google ads. “The brands are on social media—they can tag us,” he notes. “Our plan is to make people seeking these brands aware we sell them.” Notarius anticipates that THC beverage sales will continue increasing at a high rate. “We expect the same year-over-year growth continuing well into next year,” he says.
Minnesota liquor stores have been selling THC beverages since they became legal June 1st, 2023. The market is booming. “We started selling THC as soon as the law passed and we were allowed,” says Melissa Surdyk, owner of Surdyk’s Liquor & Cheese Shop in Minneapolis. “Sales have been good this summer with increased varieties available.”
Surdyk’s carries 212 THC items, and the inventory continues to grow. Top-selling THC beverage brands include Trail Magic Half & Half 10mg THC ($17 a four-pack of 12-ounce cans) and Indeed Double High Fiver Pink Burst 10mg THC/10mg CBD ($20 a four-pack of 12-ounce cans).
THC beverages are promoted at Surdyk’s with in-store tastings and catchy displays. Another big seller is Surdyk’s-branded Happy Gummies Strawberry 10mg THC at two servings per five-pack ($20). While competition in the Minnesota market has grown fierce within the category, Surdyk expects the hemp THC space to show further gains looking ahead.–Kevin Barry
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning. You will also receive the Cannabis edition as part of your subscription.Tagged : Brez, cannabis, Cycling Frog, Delta Crush, Gigli, Indeed, Premier Gourmet, Sal's Beverage World, Surdyk's, Trail Magic, Wynk
