CBD Beverages with Benefits

Watch this video for more information on the OTO Seltzer range!

Here at The Three Drinkers HQ, there have been many changes to what we do and how we run the show thanks to Uncle Covid and that has meant two, key things: one, more pressure, anxiety and general overwhelm and two, more alcohol samples through our doors as tastings that we normally attend in town come to us. It’s fair to say, this has been a potentially explosive situation for our mental and physical health and with so much to be anxious about at the moment, the temptation to swallow one too many of the samples can be great indeed. 

One thing we have been immensely happy to see over the last few months however, is the choice of genuinely delicious, alcohol alternatives - real grown-up soft drinks that offer a compelling choice away from the booze. The desire and need to find more balance when it comes to what we consume has never been stronger not just for us, but for our readers. 

Discovering CBD

The key discovery within the category this year has been CBD products, delicious drinks that do more than just taste good; they help us feel good too. As drinks professionals, when we choose not to drink alcohol, we want to reach for something that also feels like a treat but goes further than that. We want an interesting, complex flavour profile because that is what we are used to but we also want it totally guilt free, so low calorie, no sugar and no nasties, but with some other benefits too. 

CBD seltzers with extra benefits

The OTO CBD seltzers fulfil all the above for us and then some. These all-natural, refreshing, sparkling waters showcase a wide range of unique, botanical extracts beyond the CBD. This means flavours that not only satisfy our cravings for complexity, but offer additional health benefits too, such as Kampot Pepper for its mood-improving chemicals and liquorice for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. The best bit however, has to be the CBD; a significant 25mg per can, which is higher than most other brands. What we found pretty quickly was that it’s not necessarily about what it makes you feel; it’s about what you stop feeling. Anxiety and stress seem to melt away. It’s a delicious revelation - and the perfect antidote to YOU KNOW WHAT.

Try these three from Oto:

Focus

CBD with a refreshing blend of Korean Sencha Tea, Mint and a kick of Kampot Pepper. The tea has antioxidant properties and helps improve cognitive skills. Mint is good for memory and feeling alert and the pepper contains natural, positive mood-inducing chemicals. 

Amplify

CBD with Bitter Orange, Goji Berry and Habanero Chilli. Here, you’ve got the soft bitter orange and wild goji flavours that are ramped up with the subtle chilli heat. The bitter orange invigorates, the Goji Berry promotes calmness, and the chili releases endorphins to reduce pain and improve your mood.

Balance

CBD with Elderflower, Cucumber and Liquorice. Soothing and refreshing, with a subtle note of sweet spice. The Elderflower is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, cucumber is a great anti-oxidant and licorice contains antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

Size: 250ml
CBD: 25mg per can
Find here: Mixed Starter 3 Pack £11 / 12 pack £39

To read more about CBD drinks check out 5 CBD Drinks to Chill you Out and if it is more information on seltzers you are looking for, why not have a read of Delicious No and Low Canned Drinks?

The Best No & Low Drinks To Discover in 2021

Written by Aidy Smith

As we enter 2021, many of us are making decisions to better our mental health and wellbeing which sometimes means drinking less but better. I’ll be honest in that I’ve never been a fan of ‘Dry January’, but what I do believe in is making better life choices throughout the year. In this piece I’ll be showing you first-hand how no and low alcohol doesn’t have to mean zero taste, quite the opposite actually. In 2020 more no-low products entered the market than ever and the category is now continuing to boom. Again, I’ll be upfront in saying there’s some stuff on the market that has been rushed to hit a fad and, in my opinion, shouldn’t be in people’s glasses, but everything below has my endorsement out of the hundreds of products i’ve tried from this category. Enjoy!

HOLOS 'Sparkling Oolong' Kombucha (750ml)

How about a sparkling Kombucha made from Oolong tea leaves? Fermented in West Sussex using luxury loose leaf Oolong, this treat is a perfect excuse to toast amongst mates when you don’t want an ABV in your glass. Notes of elderflower and lychee intertwine, making this a floral driven sweet treat – it’s like the demi-sec of Kombucha. 

£24 (for 2) from HOLOS kombucha

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea RØD
(750ml, 5% ABV)

A renowned sommelier from Denmark loved his tea and one day it just hit him – why don’t we explore the same process with tea leaves instead of grapes?! The result was quite genius, I never thought I’d exclaim that I truly enjoyed drinking a sparkling version of tea, but here goes, it’s great! RØD is their version of a sparkling rosé and is ripe with blackberries, red berries, hibiscus and a balanced citrus. Lady Grey and Early Grey teas (two of my favourites!) create a slight bitterness from the bergamot oil which balances everything together quite nicely. Honestly, this is something you’ve got to try!

£18.50 from Fortnum & Mason

The Original Small Beer Session Pale
(350ml, 2.5% ABV)

Hands down one of the BEST low alcohol beers on the market. I visited the brewery last year and saw first hand how they create these wonders. The Session Pale is one of my faves, given it has such a tropical fruit backbone to it with a little apricot thrown in. You get that refreshing juicy burst of fruit followed by a crisp balanced hoppy finish. The best bit? It just tastes like a really well made beer – the alcohol content doesn’t even cross your mind. Small beer, great minds. 

£12 for 6 from Majestic

OTO CBD Botanical Seltzers (250ml)

Two things began to surge in 2020 – seltzers and CBD. OTO is arguably the most luxurious and quality driven CBD brand on the market right now. So, when they decided to launch their own seltzer range, naturally, I got pretty excited. I’ve been using the products for a fair while now and can confidently say my anxiety levels have fallen and I feel a better sense of calm. There are three flavours, each containing 25mg of CBD and matching the 3 categories across the OTO range - Focus (Korean Sencha, Mint and Kampot Pepper), Amplify (Bitter Orange, Goji Berry and Habanero Chilli Extract) and Balance (Elderflower, Cucumber and Liquorice). Honestly, they are well worth a try. As we enter 2021 health is our most important asset and we’re going to need to invest in it. 

£11 for 3-Pack from OTOCBD.com

McGuigan Zero Rosé (750ml)

Finally, a de-alcoholised wine that actually tastes decent. Many have tried, few have succeeded, but I have to say McGuigan have done a great job. The magic lies in spinning cone technology, which draws the wine into fine layers for enhanced vaporisation. This basically means alcohol is removed at much lower temperatures so the taste can remain! The result is not just aromatic and vibrant, it’s bursting with fresh strawberries, cherries and a citric kick which holds everything together. 

£5 from Sainsbury’s 

Sea Arch Coastal Juniper (700ml)

If you’re longing to feel the sea breeze against your skin like the good old days when we actually leave our towns and cities, well, this may be for you. This 0% gin takes inspiration from its Devon based roots. 

Aromatic juniper berry with herbal notes of sage upfront. Coriander and grapefruit peel results in a clean, crisp feel on the palate along with some peppery notes. Sweet blood orange adds complexity and together with lemon undertones drives the perception of juiciness. Cardamom spice gives a balanced warmth to the finish. Sugar kelp and samphire are the stars of the show, with juniper, coriander and blood orange playing the harmony in the background. Add a splash of your favourite tonic and you’ll unravel juniper and bitter grapefruit with a sweet-spice blood orange and breeze of seaside herbs. 

£25 from SeaArchDrinks.com

Mockingbird Spirit (500ml)

Say hello to the UK’s first tequila alternative with zero alcohol, made using blue weber agave. I have to say, this for me has be one of the most exciting discoveries of the year so far. I judge hundreds of tequilas each year and this really does attain the major components (minus the alcohol taste)  of a quality driven reposado tequila. There’s a sweet vanilla glaze from what would have been oak ageing, married together with the plush and juicy blue weber agave. A kick of habanero spice comes into play, all the while creating a succulent drink which leaves you wanting more. Completely unexpected (as I’m always so sceptical when it comes to no-alcohol adaptations of spirits) but thoroughly delighted. 

£23 from MockingbirdSpirit.com

Mother Root (480ml)

Ginger, honey and apple cider vinegar are 3 components that if we take on a daily basis can really boost our immunity and keep our gut in good stead. Mother Root has managed to combine all 3 ingredients into a non-alcoholic drink which can now be enjoyed as part of a routine versus a forced concoction each morning. Inspired by an age-old American recipe this infusion of pressed ginger juice, blossom honey and organic apple cider vinegar entice the tastebuds. Perfectly paired with a light tonic (to retain the flavours) and a big slice of orange or sprig of rosemary for something a little more savoury. Another evolution for the world of drink and health. 

£19 from MotherRoot.London

Caleño Light & Zesty (500ml)

Columbia is a country that I’ve long wanted to visit. Sadly, right now that’s not but possible – but what I can do is taste the equivalent in a glass with Caleño. Inspired by a variety of tropical, citrus and spice ingredients such as Inca berry, pineapple, papaya and coconut, to name just a few, Caleño gives us a burst of sunshine in a glass. Zesty, tropical, sweet and tangy all in one – there’s a surge of memorable flavours that leaves you wanting more. This non-alcoholic spirit is growing rapidly and with good reason. 

£18 from Amazon

What is CBD and How Can it Help?

What is CBD

CBD has taken the world by storm over the past 2 years and continues to evolve. People have sworn by it for decades, but it’s now at a point where it has become more readily available to purchase than ever before. 

The science backs it up too, with countless studies showcasing that it genuinely does reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress when integrated as a part of one’s lifestyle. 

CBD versus THC

Despite all the hype, CBD is still a relatively new idea to many people, so it’s not surprising there’s quite a bit of confusion around it. The two things people have heard of are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ) and CBD (cannabidiol). Both are molecules within the Cannabis plant, but do different things. 

They are both referred to as phytocannabinoids, but THC gives you psychoactive effects where as CBD does not. Many people assume because they both derive from the same plant they have the same affects, but this isn’t true. As they interact with different parts of the brain, they have vastly differing affects. 

THC gives you a sense of high by binding to cannabinoid receptors within our endocannabinoid system (a crucial part of our nervous system). While CBD doesn’t bind directly bind to cannabinoid receptors, it is said to boost levels of naturally occurring endocannabinoids – which is why it has such a wide range of uses. It’s also proven to interact with our serotonin and opiod receptors, which is why it is so effective. 

AS CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, it has an affect on a variety of functions:

•  Digestion

•  Metabolism

• Mood

• Memory

• Sleep

• Motor control

• Pain perception

• Immune function

Reduces Stress

On average, 18% of the population report feeling some form of anxiety. Remember that’s just the people who actually report it. You then take into account the global happenings over the latest year and begin to realize that a huge population of the world will likely be suffering some form of stress. Countless studies continue to showcase the positive effects CBD has on reducing the symptoms of anxiety, which is why in my mind it is more important to discover this now than ever before. 

Reduce Pain

Many of us have been sitting at the same desk, in the same chair for almost 12 months now. Shoddy posture leads to back pain which really isn’t a pleasant thing to have to go through on top of everything else. CBD has a track record of working with our brain to reduce the pain we experience. 

Aiding Sleep

CBD has been proven across a multitude of studies to inhibit calmness, which is perfect for people who are struggling to drift off. There’s so many different products on the market right now from pillow sprays to sleep drops and beyond. 

Skin Care

Many people suffer from skin conditions such as dermatitis and acne and as we find ourselves in stressful situations, these can flare up. CBD has showcased a strong correlation in helping to reduce these symptoms. With acne for example, it greatly reduces the amount of sebum created alongside calming inflammation (two massive triggers of acne). 

Increase Your Sex Life

Next up I’m going to talk about sex. And you know what, I’m not afraid to. Having great sex on a regular basis is proven to reduce stress and keep you happier. For those singletons amongst us, our sex lives haven’t been the most eventful over the past year. Even partners have struggled to find the time between home schooling, entertaining kids, working and finding that ‘special time together’ being stripped away given the stress or being together every waking minute. 

So if you have been finding your mojo has deflated or that you’re not as easily able to hit that big O (yes, I am referring to an orgasm), then CBD may be the answer. 

Using CBD infused lubricants increases the blood flow, making our nerve endings more sensitive, the result of which came be a much more sensual orgasm. 

How can you buy CBD?

There are so many ways you can purchase from capsules, oil and tongue sprays to sleep drops, wrist rolls, seltzers, bitters and more. We really are at the infancy of CBD discovery. Stay tuned as we put together a variety of ‘best product’ lists on this topic soon. 

In the meantime, check out some of these sites for CBD inspiration:

www.OTOcbd.com

www.hollandandbarrett.com

www.canabidol.com

5 CBD Drinks to Chill You Out This Autumn

CBD infused drinks seem to be all the rage right now with more and more popping up all the time. We’ve given a few a go and put together a list of some of our favourites for you to enjoy.

What are CBD drinks?

Panic not, we are not sitting here in ‘The Three Drinkers Towers’ getting high each day; we’re high enough on life as it is! CBD is short for cannabidiol which is a naturally occurring molecule produced by plants in the cannabis family and unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives you the “high” associated with marijuana, CBD does not. Recently, there has been a lot of research poured into its use and more and more information about its health benefits, including deep relaxation and stress relief, has come to light, hence the increase in the number of beverages now including it. So, enough of the chat, let’s get down to the good stuff.

Dead Man’s Fingers Hemp Rum

You can always count on Dead Man’s fingers to create an exciting drink with their large range of different flavoured rums but the product that has got tongues wagging this time is their creation of the world’s first CBD hemp rum! Expect herbal grassy notes, pine, coffee and a spicy finish. Enjoy it neat or mixed with some ginger ale - trust us, you’ll love it!

ABV: 40%
Find it here 

Silent Pool Distillers Colorado High CBD Gin

Unlike most CBD infused drinks which have 10mg CBD, this one is packed with a whopping 200mg of Coloradan CBD meaning you only need a small serve of it to feel the relaxing benefits of the CBD! Smooth with a refreshing grapefruit citrusy note, this gin is both effective and delicious. Serve it with Fever Tree tonic and a wedge of grapefruit for the ultimate drink.

ABV: 40%
CBD: 200mg
Find it here

Doña Sofia CBD Cocktails

Recently launched in the UK, this is a really lovely drink. We tried the Gin and Tonic version and found it to be really rather yummy! A lovely balance between the soft bitterness of the tonic and citrus along with the relaxing properties of the CBD make this a drink we will definitely be going back to. Their Rum & Cola and Vodka & Lime flavours should be launching later this month.

ABV: 5%
CBD: 10mg
Find them here

Weedka Vodka

An idea born in Amsterdam in 2018, what better a place we hear you say, this multiple award winning vodka is made from high-quality quintuple distilled grain vodka infused with cannabis terpenes giving it a very smooth and unique taste. Serve it neat or mix it with cola to make a very tasty cocktail.

ABV: 40%
Find it here

OTO CBD Bitters

An excellent addition to any drink, we are big fans of OTO CBD bitters. Whether it be a dash in your morning coffee, a drop in your lunchtime water or a splash in your evening cocktail, OTO’s non-alcoholic CBD bitters elevate any drink and really do feel like they calm anxiety and help you to relax.

CBD: 2500mg
Find it here

Have you tried any CBD beverages you’d recommend? If so, send us an email to sophie@thethreedrinkers.com

If you liked this, have a gander at Drinkers Discoveries: 5 New Products for your Next Socially Distanced Gathering and don’t forget to check out 12 Hilariously Unfortunate (and Downright Naughty) Drinks Names