Copyright Hartford Courant
A new line of drinks with no unnatural additives has just hit the market and a famous Connecticut restaurateur wants his customers to be able to order the drink. And Tyler Anderson means to order the cannabis-infused fruit seltzers drink, and others like it, as easy as they order a glass of Cabernet sauvignon. Hemp infused drinks with no alcohol are sold in liquor stores, but are not yet legal in Connecticut restaurants. Anderson is among those on the ground floor of trying to change the law and notes his favorite such drink is a new one recently released by his friend David Salinas‘ business, Hi People! which owns a dispensary in Derby and soon Hartford and New Haven. Anderson said he would also like to collaborate on a flavor. Alcohol sales are down in Connecticut and nationwide, so Anderson wants guests to have more options, as the seltzers with no alcohol, no hangover and a “relaxing effect,” are growing in popularity. Anderson, owner of Millwright’s Restaurant in Simsbury, grew up in California where cannabis culture is strong, he said. “It seems like we’re a little behind getting these drinks in our restaurants,” said Anderson, an acclaimed celebrity chef. “We have guests ask for it and it’s our job to give guests what they ask for.” Anderson said alcohol sales are down overall because there is a “trend toward sobriety,” and some people are concerned that if the drinks were sold in restaurants, “it would take away from existing service.” But, Anderson asks rhetorically, “Is it taking away or does it help give an option to people who wouldn’t drink anyway?” Larry Cafero, executive director and general counsel of the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers in Connecticut confirmed alcohol sales are down in Connecticut and nationwide. “Alcohol beverage sales are down in Connecticut and literally nationwide this year. Every indicator shows that adults, for various reasons, health, cannabis, weight loss drugs and abstinence, are consuming less alcohol,” Cafero said He said the group has not yet taken a position on the sale of hemp/THC-infused drinks in restaurants. Anderson said that in preparation for a legislative proposal one of the first steps is to come up with a training program such as the one existing for alcohol so that restaurant employees can detect when someone has had too much to drink. He’s working on it. Hi! People, just launched its signature hemp THC/CBG-infused fruit seltzer line that is sold in liquor stores and cannabis retailers across Connecticut, with rave reviews for its all natural formula and relaxation effects. Co-founder and CEO Salinas said the new product “focuses on bridging the gap between cannabis culture and social drinking occasions.” “We designed these to give people a hangover-free social buzz,” Salinas said, upon launch of the company’s signature hemp THC/CBG-infused fruit seltzer line to liquor stores and Cannabis retailers across Connecticut. As of now they offer three distinctive flavors crafted with “real ingredients,” Salinas said. Each juice-filled seltzer contains 3mg of hemp-derived THC and 3mg of CBG in lightly carbonated water with no aftertaste, Salinas said. The flavors are Grapefruit Blood Orange and Cardamom, lightly sweetened with agave; Blueberry Lemon and Vanilla; Connecticut Honey Crisp with a Twist (Ginger) pressed at Beardsley Orchard and Cidery in Shelton. It’s low calories with no added sugars. The cannabis-based cocktails combine cannabinoids derived from hemp with carbonation—essentially offering what some are calling the cannabis equivalent of hard seltzers. Hemp infuses seltzers are low in calories, low in sugar and most importantly say fans, have “no hangover effects like alcohol,” Salinas said. Salinas said liquor stores originally were keeping the infused seltzers on low profile shelves, waiting for customers to ask. But now they’re moving front and center. “The category is really starting to grow in the state,” he said. He said THC-infused beverages are federally regulated and legal in most states. “People want the social buzz without alcohol,” Salinas said. “It’s a nice, clean, product. They call it a body buzz.” He said the active ingredients have been illegal for so long that there hasn’t been a lot of research. He said people report the drink gives them a “a pleasant, light, happy feeling.” It’s been likened to the affect of gummies or as if “drinking an edible,” he said. Salinas said, “It’s a delicious product,” and is pleased with sales in the first two weeks. Karen Rokosa, director of operations/ buyer for Capital Spirits with three locations, two of them in Hartford and another in Monroe, said the demand for hemp-infused seltzers has been, “a consistently growing category over last year,” with an “increase in demand.” She said the biggest draw for her to Hi People! seltzer is that they are “all natural products,” with agave the only added sweetener. She said the product will soon have name recognition because they’re opening a dispensary in Hartford. She suggests for new users to drink it slowly and “see how they feel.” Most people say it makes them feel “relaxed,” Rokosa said. “I don’t see people drinking anymore and getting knocked on their butt,” she said.
