What Do CBD Drinks Taste Like?

Let’s be honest, CBD drinks sound cool, but if you've never had one before, it’s hard not to wonder: What do they actually taste like? Hemp? Herbal tea?

We get it. With CBD being the not-so-new buzzword in wellness circles, there’s a lot of curiosity—and a fair bit of confusion—about what happens when you put it in a can and make it fizz.

Here’s the good news: CBD drinks don’t taste like grass, and if they do, you’re drinking the wrong one. At Hip Pop, flavour comes first. Always. Our CBD drinks are packed with natural fruit blends, proper fizz, and absolutely zero weird aftertastes.

What’s CBD Doing in My Drink?

First up: CBD is not the same as THC. We use the former; the non-intoxicating compound that’s extracted from the hemp plant.

CBD (which technically stands for cannabidiol, though you'd be hard-pressed to hear anyone use the full name unless they're wearing a lab coat) is turning up in more drinks these days. Why? Well, some people say it helps them feel a certain way, more centred, maybe, or just a bit more... themselves.

Now, we’re not here to make grand claims or promise the moon in a bottle. That’s not our thing. What we will say is:

·         It’s a well-known and increasingly popular ingredient

·         It’s reviewed and regulated here in the UK

·         And when it’s handled properly, it mixes beautifully into soft drinks, like it was always meant to be there

No smoke, no mirrors, just a thoughtfully chosen addition that many people enjoy.

At Hip Pop, we use a water-soluble CBD, which is a fancy way of saying it mixes evenly into your drink, no oily blobs, no weird film, and absolutely no herbal funk hanging around your tastebuds. Just a smooth, easy, flavourful sip.

Think of it as a little something extra in your fizzy drink. Like a twist of lime, a gentle amount of crushed ice, or the perfect playlist; completely optional, but definitely welcome.

Flavour First: What Our CBD Drinks Actually Taste Like

If you've ever cracked open a drink that claimed to have a “natural taste” and were greeted by the taste of disappointment and artificial pear, you're not alone. That’s why we put real effort (and real ingredients) into creating flavours that feel balanced, bright, and just a little bit bold.

Here’s a closer look at the two stars of our CBD line-up:

Cherry & Blackberry CBD Kombucha

Rich, fruity, and just tart enough to keep things interesting.

This one’s a bit like if black forest gateau went on a health kick, but kept its sense of humour. The deep, jammy sweetness of cherry meets the slightly sharp edge of blackberry, two fruits that were basically born to be blended.

It’s got body. It’s got depth. But it’s also refreshingly light, thanks to the gentle fizz and the tangy base of kombucha. There’s no artificial candy taste, no cloying syrupiness, just clean, dark fruit flavour with a crisp, grown-up finish.

You get a little sweetness upfront, a bright berry burst through the middle, and a clean, almost dry finish that makes it a great food pairing too (especially with cheese, salty snacks, or anything fried... yes, we’ve tested, no we don’t regret the calories).

And the CBD? Completely undetectable on the palate. No earthy aftertaste. No weird note that reminds you you’re drinking something “functional.” Just smooth, mellow berry pop with a subtle botanical twist in the background if you're really looking for it.

Passionfruit & Guava CBD Kombucha

Tropical, smooth, and gloriously sippable.

This one’s the equivalent of a hammock in a can. It’s the kind of drink you crack open and suddenly find yourself squinting as if the sun just came out.

Passionfruit leads the charge, bright, tangy, and punchy, followed by guava, which brings that creamy, mellow smoothness to round things off. Together, they hit the perfect balance between zesty and soft, sweet and refreshing.

It’s fruity but not overpowering. Tropical, but not tiki-bar silly. Think more “sun-drenched orchard” than “overly enthusiastic beach cocktail”.

The kombucha base adds a subtle tang, the bubbles lift the whole thing into sparkling territory, and again, the CBD? Seamlessly integrated. No herbal bitterness. Just a clean, refreshing drink with a laid-back feel and a natural taste that doesn't shout about itself, but definitely sticks around in the best way.

Both are low in sugar, made with natural ingredients, and never, ever, sweetened with anything artificial. And yes, they’re both completely vegan, non-alcoholic, and made by real people in our Northern HQ who genuinely care about what goes into the can.

When Should You Enjoy CBD Drinks?

Good news: there’s no secret hand signal or lunar phase required to enjoy a CBD drink. You just need to be thirsty. That said, here are a few times our fans (and, let’s be honest, our team) tend to reach for a can of CBD Hip Pop:

• Post-work unwind – That “I’ve closed the laptop but I’m still wired” window. Swap your usual fizzy fix or evening tipple for something that feels a bit more grown up, without being boozy.
• Mid-afternoon slump – You’re not quite done for the day, but your brain is already mentally horizontal. A cold can of Cherry & Blackberry or Passionfruit & Guava can wake up your tastebuds without sending your blood sugar on a rollercoaster.
• Social settings – Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just not in the mood for alcohol, a can of CBD kombucha is the kind of drink you can bring to the party and feel good about.
• Any time you’d usually reach for a soft drink – Only now, it’s got real fruit, live cultures, and a little CBD twist. (And no artificial sweetener weirdness.)

The beauty of CBD drinks is that they’re functional, but not fussy. You don’t need to overthink it. Just keep a few in the fridge and enjoy them when you feel like it.

They’re not about fixing your life, they’re about making your drink just that little bit more interesting.

Why Hip Pop CBD Kombucha is (Actually) Different

Let’s be real: there are a lot of CBD drinks out there now. Some taste like spa water filtered through a yoga mat. Others go heavy on the hemp, light on the flavour. And some just leave you wondering if that indescribable aftertaste was intentional.

Hip Pop doesn’t do any of that.

We’re a soft drink brand first, which means flavour leads every decision. Our CBD range isn’t an add-on or a bandwagon, it’s a genuinely tasty, refreshingly real drink that just happens to contain 15mg of high-quality, water-soluble CBD.

Here’s the Hip Pop difference:

• Great taste, no compromise – We blend bold, juicy flavours with tangy kombucha fizz for a drink that tastes like proper pop, not a science experiment.
• Naturally made, no artificial ingredients – No fake sweeteners, no preservatives, no weird ingredients you need a search engine to decode.
• Properly balanced CBD dose – Each can of pop contains 15mg of CBD, blended for a smooth, taste-free finish.

The Flavour-First CBD Drink You’ve Been Waiting For

Tired of CBD drinks that taste like regret and marketing spin? Us too.

Skip the buzzwords and botanical waffle. Our CBD Kombucha is fizzy, fruity, and made with real ingredients that taste like they belong in a drink, not a spa brochure.
Flavour first. Always.