From CBD-infused sparkling water to Delta-9 mocktails, drinkable hemp products offer a convenient, discreet, and fast-acting way to consume cannabinoids.
But formulating a stable, compliant, and effective hemp beverage isn’t as simple as mixing a few ingredients together. One of the most critical—and often overlooked—steps is testing.
If you’re developing a hemp beverage, here’s what you need to know before you hit the market.
1. Cannabinoids in Liquids Behave Differently
Cannabinoids like CBD and Delta-9 THC are hydrophobic, meaning they don’t naturally dissolve in water. To make them work in beverages, formulators use emulsions, nanoemulsions, or other carriers to keep cannabinoids evenly dispersed.
Why this matters for testing:
- Cannabinoids may separate or settle over time.
- Uneven distribution can lead to inconsistent potency.
- If your product claims to have 10 mg per serving, testing must prove that it’s consistent throughout the container—not just at the top or bottom.
Best Practice: Ask your lab if they can test multiple aliquots from different parts of the beverage. This helps ensure even distribution.
2. Accuracy in Potency Testing
Producers, and sometimes regulators, want to know how much Delta-9 THC and CBD are in your product. For hemp-derived products, staying under 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight is the legal limit federally. But what does that mean in a liquid?
Here’s where it gets tricky:
- Some states calculate 0.3% based on total product weight, others use volume.
- A 12oz beverage with 10 mg of Delta-9 THC might be compliant federally but not in all states.
- THC converted from CBD (isomerized) may still qualify as “hemp-derived,” but that doesn’t mean it’s exempt from scrutiny.
Best Practice: Work with a lab that understands hemp beverage testing specifically. Accurate cannabinoid quantification in liquids requires validated methods and context for compliance.
3. Shelf Stability & Separation
It’s not enough for a beverage to test accurately on day one. You also want to know how the cannabinoids behave over time.
Things to watch for:
- Potency loss due to light, heat, or oxygen exposure
- Cannabinoids settling out of the emulsion
- Breakdown of emulsion systems over weeks or months
Best Practice: Conduct stability testing at multiple intervals (30, 60, 90 days, etc.) to understand how your product holds up over time.
4. Microbial & Contaminant Testing
Because beverages contain water and often natural ingredients like fruit extracts, they can grow microbes if not processed and packaged correctly.
Depending on your process, you may need to test for:
- Yeast and mold
- Coliforms or E. coli
- Mycotoxins, if you’re using plant-based ingredients
- Heavy metals or residual solvents, especially if using cannabinoids from unknown sources
Best Practice: If you’re not heat-pasteurizing or using preservatives, ask your lab about appropriate microbial tests for ready-to-drink beverages.
5. Labeling and Compliance
Your COA (Certificate of Analysis) is your quality assurance.
Make sure your COA includes:
- Clear batch ID matching the product label
- Total THC (not just Delta-9) to comply with state laws
- Proper sample type (liquid vs extract)
- Lab name, date, and digital signature or QR code
Best Practice: Don’t just test once, test every batch. Consistency is key in beverages, where a slight formulation error can throw off potency.
Final Thoughts
Testing hemp beverages is a bit more complex than testing gummies or tinctures—but it’s 100% worth getting right. A thoughtful testing plan helps you avoid recalls, build consumer trust, and create a product that actually delivers on its promise.
If you’re in R&D or prepping for launch, now’s the time to loop in your lab partner. We can help you dial in your formulation, ensure compliance, and provide clear, reliable data—so you can focus on growth.
Have a beverage idea or formulation you’re working on? Reach out to the team at Acrelabs. We’ll help you build a testing plan tailored to your goals.
