Social drinking has reached a new high in Greenville.
THC drinks represent a rapidly growing non-alcoholic beverage category projected to reach tens of billions of dollars globally in sales in the next 10 years, and it’s also on the rise in Greenville’s bar scene.
While non-alcoholic spirits have become increasingly popular among those looking to either fully abstain or minimize their alcohol consumption, they don’t provide any actual spirit-lifting effects. THC beverages, on the other hand, can provide that mood boost or relaxation without the negative side effects of alcohol, and they’re light on the palate, often slightly effervescent with a mild flavor.
“We know alcohol is a toxin, so THC is great for people who still want to go out and look like they’re holding a cocktail and feel good,” says Jake Green, bar manager of Larkin’s.
Thanks to a legal loophole in the 2018 federal Farm Bill, beverages containing Delta-8 or Delta-9 THC have infiltrated bar menus and bottle shops, even in states like South Carolina that haven’t fully legalized the use of cannabis, the plant from which THC is derived.
Jason Callaway, general manager of Larkin’s, says he’s been hearing plenty of legal chatter about potential regulations around THC drinks, but nothing yet has become law. “It’s completely unregulated,” he says. “It’s wild.”
Green says some bars are hesitant to offer THC options because of the lack of regulation, but for those seeking a social drinking option that isn’t alcoholic, THC drinks provide a tasty alternative.
The founders of Greenville’s Rebel Rabbit THC seltzer company launched their project in 2021 after recognizing a void in typical beverage repertoire. Green says of the various options Larkin’s offers for guests, Rebel Rabbit is by far the most popular, partly because it is locally produced, but also because guests say it offers the best physical feeling. “We have a couple regulars who sit down and drink three to four on lunch break,” he says.
Green finds himself educating guests and often dispelling misconceptions about the ingredients—the drinks are not the same as a marijuana edible—and he’s observed most takers are millennials or younger. He also cautions those who are required to pass drug tests for work to avoid THC drinks as they do contain enough to register.
Bottle shops like The Community Tap, Greenville Beer Exchange, Green’s, and others have increased their canned THC beverage options, says Christy Kendig of Advintage Distributing. She offers several local and regionally produced THC brands within her portfolio, and no two have the same milligrams of THC or flavor profiles. Called seltzers or tonics, they range in flavor from citrusy and tropical to berry and herbal, and any preference is highly personal, from the taste to the feeling they impart.
For those looking for more of a cocktail experience without the booze, THC spirits are an option that can be treated like a base liquor within a cocktail build. Both Larkin’s and Southernside Brewing offer mocktails using a THC spirit. Larkin’s keeps Levity, a Charleston-produced spirit, in stock for such purposes, and Green says the berry flavor mixes well with citrus and honey or as a base for classic cocktails.
“I could do a gimlet or a daiquiri, and it looks like a cocktail,” Green says.
Local and Regional Canned THC Drinks
- Rebel Rabbit, Greenville
- tu•pléy, Spartanburg
- Seance, Asheville, NC
- Revelry D9 Seltzer, Charleston
- Happy Bird Seltzer, NoDa Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
- High Rise, Charleston
Types of THC
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) both come from the cannabis sativa plant. Delta-8 THC has similar psychoactive properties but is generally less potent than Delta-9 THC.
