World’s Best Infused Spirits According to the 2026 High Spirits Awards

Jun 7

By Mike Gorman, The Best Drink Ever Presented by L.A. Spirits Awards

Published June 07, 2026

These Infused Beverages Cut Through the Noise. Here’s What Made the List.

The infused beverage category is growing fast. Faster than consumers and retailers can keep up with. Every month brings another wave of THC seltzers, infused cocktails, cannabis sodas, spirit alternatives, and functional drinks all promising a better buzz, cleaner experience, or smarter way to unwind. Some deliver. A lot don’t.

That’s where blind judging matters.

At the High Spirits Awards, products are evaluated without branding, packaging, marketing copy, or hype entering the equation. Our judges — including beverage buyers, bartenders, operators, educators, and industry professionals — focus on what actually matters: balance, flavor, aroma, structure, drinkability, and overall execution. No marketing. No politics. Just what’s in the glass…or can.

This year’s High Spirits Awards showed how quickly this category is evolving. The best entries weren’t relying on novelty alone. They were technically sound beverages built with intention — products that understood flavor first, with infusion integrated thoughtfully rather than treated like a gimmick.

From crisp sparkling ciders and layered botanical seltzers to polished spirit alternatives and ready-to-drink cocktails, this year’s winners proved that infused beverages are no longer a side category. The bar has officially been raised.

Best Infused Seltzer: Tree Time Cardamom Chill Berry

Tree Time Cardamom Chill Berry THC-Infused Seltzer combines mixed berry flavor with cardamom and botanical notes to create a more layered, spice-forward profile than most infused seltzers. Instead of relying heavily on sweetness or artificial candy flavors, it keeps the fruit bright and balanced while allowing the cardamom to add warmth and complexity.

The aroma opens with ripe berry notes supported by subtle herbal spice. On the palate, juicy mixed berry flavors arrive first, followed by gentle cardamom warmth that gives the drink structure without overpowering the fruit. The finish is clean, lightly dry, and refreshing, with enough lingering spice to keep it distinctive.

With 10mg THC and 10mg CBD per 12 oz. can, Tree Time is designed as a balanced, approachable infused beverage centered around relaxation and moderation. The flavor profile reflects that same approach — composed, aromatic, and easy to drink without becoming overly sweet or heavy.

Best Infused Soda: BUBZ Grape Fizz

BUBZ Grape Fizz THC Infused Soda delivers a familiar grape soda profile with a cleaner, more balanced approach than many traditional sweet sodas. Bold grape flavor leads immediately, bringing bright fruit character and light tartness, while controlled carbonation keeps the sweetness from becoming overpowering.

The soda is built around balance rather than intensity. The fruit stays forward, the carbonation adds lift, and the THC infusion is integrated smoothly into the drinking experience without distracting from the flavor itself. Pure cane sugar and natural ingredients help keep the profile rounded and approachable while still feeling crisp and easy to drink.

With 10mg hemp-derived THC per 12 oz. can, BUBZ Grape Fizz offers a nostalgic soda style updated for today’s infused beverage category — flavorful, refreshing, and straightforward in its execution.

Best Infused Additive: Azuca Hemp-Infused Simple Syrup

Azuca Hemp-Infused Simple Syrup takes a straightforward approach: a clean cane sugar syrup combined with fast-acting hemp infusion technology designed to mix easily into beverages and recipes without altering flavor.

The syrup itself is smooth and neutral, with enough texture and sweetness to work naturally in cocktails, coffee, tea, mocktails, and other applications. Unlike many infused additives, the hemp extract integrates cleanly without introducing strong herbal or grassy notes.

What sets Azuca apart is the functionality behind the formulation. The company’s infusion process is designed to make cannabinoids water-compatible and faster acting than traditional oil-based infusions, allowing the syrup to blend evenly into drinks while delivering more consistent onset timing.

With 30mg THC per package, a clean flavor profile, and strong versatility, Azuca functions less like a standalone beverage and more like a flexible ingredient built for modern infused drink programs and at-home use alike.

Best Infused Beverage & Best Infused Cider: CLEANN Sparkling Apple Cider

CLEANN Sparkling Apple Cider earned unanimous praise from our judges and ultimately took home both Best Infused Beverage and Best Infused Cider of 2026. Made with cider from Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vermont, it delivers a clean, focused profile built around fresh apple character and balanced carbonation.

Bright apple aromas lead into a palate that combines natural fruit sweetness with crisp acidity and fine bubbles. The carbonation keeps the cider light and refreshing, while the finish stays clean and polished without becoming overly sweet. The apple remains the focus throughout, supported rather than overshadowed by the infusion.

Each 12 oz. can contains a balanced 1:1 ratio of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC and CBD at 5mg each, creating an approachable and measured infused experience. The result is a cider that respects traditional craft cider-making while fitting naturally into the modern infused beverage category — bright, balanced, and exceptionally easy to drink.

Best Infused Spirit Alternative: Canna Stillery Lemon Royale

Canna Stillery Lemon Royale combines bright citrus flavor with live rosin infusion to create a cannabis beverage that stays clean, focused, and highly aromatic. Fresh lemon leads immediately, delivering natural tartness and citrus oil character that feels closer to fresh-squeezed juice than artificial lemon flavoring.

The live rosin infusion adds depth and texture without overwhelming the citrus profile. Subtle resinous and herbal notes round out the palate, giving the drink more structure and complexity while still keeping it crisp and refreshing. The balance between acidity, sweetness, and infusion remains controlled from start to finish.

With 165mg THC per 750ml bottle, Lemon Royale is designed as a spirit alternative that can be poured, mixed, and shared similarly to traditional bottled beverages. The result is a product that delivers strong citrus character, layered botanical character, and a polished overall profile without relying on excessive sweetness or heavy flavoring.

Best Infused Ready-To-Drink Cocktail: Dad Grass Jalapeño Lime Leisure Drink

Dad Grass Jalapeño Lime Leisure Drink delivers a margarita-inspired profile built around bright citrus, light heat, and easy drinkability. Fresh lime leads on the palate with crisp acidity and a clean sparkling finish, while jalapeño adds gentle warmth that builds gradually without overpowering the drink.

The balance is what makes it stand out. The citrus stays sharp and refreshing, the spice remains controlled, and the carbonation keeps everything light and approachable. Rather than leaning heavily into sweetness or aggressive heat, the drink keeps the flavors focused and easy to return to.

Each 12 oz. can contains 3mg THC 6mg CBD, 2200mg Lion’s Mane, L-Theanine, and electrolytes, creating a more layered functional beverage experience alongside the flavor profile itself. Fast-acting and sessionable, it works as a cannabis-forward alternative to a canned cocktail while maintaining the structure and refreshment of a classic sparkling lime drink.

About High Spirits Awards

High Spirits Awards, part of the L.A. Spirts Awards, is renowned for its unbiased and forward-thinking approach, is at the forefront of recognizing outstanding spirits in an ever-evolving industry. With their passion for celebrating the artistry and diversity of craft spirits, they have become a trusted authority and source of inspiration for both industry professionals and spirits enthusiasts alike.