Cycling Frog vs. Nowadays vs. Hempzer Seltzer: Which THC Drink Is Best?

Today, you can walk into nearly any hemp store and find shelves lined with a variety of THC drink options, all of which promise to be a better alternative to alcohol. 

Upon first glance, you might think Cycling Frog, Nowadays and Hempzer Seltzer are similar and only differ by flavor. 

But that couldn’t be further from the truth: each brand creates their THC drinks for different types of drinkers, from microdosers to cocktail seekers and simple, clean ingredient lovers. 

While all three beverages feature hemp-derived delta 9 THC, their differences in potency, format, ingredients, and overall experience can help you determine which one is right for you.

Keep reading for our complete guide breaking down how the three brands compare and where each one stands out.

Cycling Frog vs. Nowadays vs. Hempzer Seltzer: Quick Comparison

Cycling Frog Overview

Best For: Consumers looking for one of the widest THC beverage selections, from beginner-friendly microdoses to high-potency drinks.

THC Strengths: 2mg, 5mg, 10mg, and up to 50mg THC per can

Drink Types: THC seltzers, sparkling lemonades, iced tea lemonade, and high-potency THC beverages

Popular Flavors: Black Currant, Ruby Grapefruit, Wild Cherry, Passionfruit, Cran Razz, Tropical Punch, Fruit Punch, Raspberry Lemonade, Mango Lemonade, Iced Tea Lemonade

Cycling Frog is a widely known THC drink brand with an eclectic menu of beverages that range from light 2mg seltzers to high-potency 50mg drinks. 

Made with hemp grown in Oregon and real fruit juice, consumers applaud the company for its seed-to-sip quality. 

What also makes Cycling Frog a favorite for some is its use of CBD. Most options include THC and CBD in varying ratios, which make for a mellower effect profile compared to THC-only beverages.

Because Cycling Frog offers such a wider range of potencies, they make it easy to find a drink that works for you. They also offer both traditional seltzer and THC iced tea mix so you have multiple consumption formats to choose from.

Finally, if you’re a drinker who doesn’t want to wait long for the effects to hit, Cycling Frog could be perfect for you. It's made with a nanoemulsified hemp extract, which helps effects kick in approximately 10-15 minutes from the first sip.

Pros

• One of the widest THC potency ranges available (2mg-50mg)
• Large selection of seltzers and other beverage styles
• Many products combine THC and CBD for more balanced effects
• Fast-acting nanoemulsified formula
• Real fruit juice with no artificial flavors or colors
• Third-party tested and vertically integrated production

Cons

• High-potency drinks may be too strong for beginners
• Product lineup can feel overwhelming compared to simpler brands
• Some seasonal flavors are only available for a limited time
• Not every product is available in every state
• Premium high-potency beverages cost more than standard THC seltzers

Nowadays Overview

Best For: Consumers looking for a customizable THC drink that can be mixed, poured, or dosed based on tolerance.

THC Strengths: 2mg, 5mg, and 10mg THC per serving

Drink Types: THC-infused spirits, canned cocktails, and THC shots

Popular Flavors: Citrus, Tropical, Berry, Spicy Lime, Black Cherry

Nowadays is another recognizable brand that you’ll find on shelves and online. Instead of a traditional seltzer brand, Nowadays sets out to please those seeking THC-infused alcohol alternatives that are similar from a format standpoint. 

They do so with their menu that features cocktail-like cans, bottled spirits, and shot formats. 

For beginners and high-tolerance consumers alike, Nowadays offers a variety of dosages across their various formats. 

Like Cycling Frog and Hempzer, Nowadays uses hemp-derived delta 9 THC, and customers note it takes roughly 10-20 minutes for effects to kick in. 

The most eclectic brand of the three use-wise, Nowadays is designed for mixing into mocktails, soda, juice, or sparkling water or serving over ice.

Their bottled spirits give you greater control over your dose and buzz while offering a familiar, social alternative to alcohol without the hangover.

Pros

• Multiple dose options for beginners and experienced consumers
• Available in bottles, cans, and shots
• Easy to customize serving size
• Popular alcohol alternative
• Widely available online and in retail stores

Cons

• Easy to overpour compared to single-serve cans
• Some consumers find it stronger than expected
• Flavor reviews are mixed
• Higher-tolerance consumers may find lower-dose products underwhelming
• Premium pricing compared to some competitors

Hempzer Seltzer Overview

Best For: Consumers looking for a low-dose, wellness-focused THC seltzer with simple ingredients and straightforward flavors.

THC Strengths: 5mg and 10mg THC

Drink Types: THC seltzers and variety packs

Popular Flavors: Blood Orange, Blackberry, Mango, Peach Ginger

If you prioritize simple, clean ingredients in a fruity seltzer-style drink, Hempzer is the clear best choice. We operate with a quality-over-quantity mindset, focusing on a single format rather than spirits, shots, or cocktail-style alternatives.

Our lineup is simple on purpose: the Hempzer collection contains 5mg THC drinks for a lighter social lift and 10mg THC drinks for a stronger, yet still controlled experience.

With four flavors available, you can try a single flavor or all 4 in our customer-favorite variety packs. 

Every can is intentionally formulated using hemp-derived delta 9 THC, carbonated spring water, natural fruit extracts, botanical terpenes, electrolytes, and an adaptogenic herbal blend.

The end result is a full-bodied fruit flavor that’s zero calorie, zero sugar, alcohol-free, and made without artificial sweeteners.

Whether you’re at a social event or winding down in the evening, Hempzer helps you stay “high-drated.” Your mind stays clear and present, and you don’t wake up groggy the next day.

This comes from founder Norman Horn’s background in kinesiology, personal training, endurance walking, nonprofit work, and wellness, which gives Hempzer a more health-minded origin than Cycling Frog, Nowadays, and many other THC drink brands.

Pros

• Zero calories and zero sugar
• Wellness-focused positioning
• Simple, clean ingredient profile
• Multiple flavor options
• Available in beginner-friendly 5mg servings
• Third-party tested with public COAs

Cons

• Limited to 5mg and 10mg options
• Smaller flavor lineup than some competitors
• No non-carbonated or cocktail-style products
• May feel too mild for higher-tolerance consumers

Cycling Frog vs. Nowadays vs. Hempzer Seltzer: Which Brand Is Best?

So, let’s see how each brand measures up across the factors that matter most: potency, flavor and drinkability, effects, variety, and customer support.

Potency

If you want a wide range of potencies for a wide range of experiences for beginners and high-tolerance consumers, Cycling Frog is your best bet with options from 2mg to 50mg. 

Nowadays is the next most flexible for potency options, with 2mg, 5mg, and 10mg drinks across various formats, including bottled spirits for concocting your own formula.  

For the most straightforward strengths, Hempzer has standard 5mg and 10mg seltzer drink options for consistent effects. 

Flavor & Drinkability

Each brand offers fruit-forward flavors, but each differs in variety and drinkability. 

Cycling Frog has the largest selection overall with lemonades, seltzers, and iced tea varieties. 

Nowadays is a largely customizable experience, allowing you to mix your own mocktails with soda, sparkling water, or juice, with fewer canned varieties. 

Hempzer is the most ready-to-drink out of all the beverages. It has zero calories and zero sugar with straightforward fruit flavors you can trust for consistency.

Cannabinoids & Effects

Every brand infuses their drinks with hemp-derived delta 9 THC. However, formulas and effects differ from there. 

If you’re seeking a well-balanced cannabinoid ratio, Cycling Frog includes CBD in much of their lineups.

Nowadays makes products that offer the most potency customization, allowing you to “choose your own adventure” by adding doses large and small to beverages of your own.

At Hempzer, we start with delta 9 THC, then infuse every drink with botanical terpenes, electrolytes, and adaptogens for the best balance of health and wellness. 

Product Variety

If you’re looking for THC drinks in a variety of formats, Cycling Frog delivers with THC seltzers, sparkling lemonades, iced tea lemonade, gummies, brownies, mints, and other hemp products.

If you’re ditching alcohol but want to maintain the variety you previously had, Nowadays lets you be your own mixologist with their bottled THC spirits, canned cocktails, and THC shots.

But if you’re looking for one THC beverage to be your go-to staple for relaxation, Hempzer Seltzers are the best choice. The wellness-focused ingredients and classic flavors we use make our THC seltzer the drink you’ll want in hand no matter the time, moment, or occasion.

Shipping & Support

Cycling Frog offers free shipping on qualifying orders and subscriptions, provides rewards, and publishes third-party lab results as a way to remain transparent. 

Nowadays also offers free shipping above its minimum order threshold and offers subscriptions to replenish your bar without having to manually reorder. 

At Hempzer, we publish third-party lab testing to verify every batch’s content. We also offer free shipping on qualifying orders and subscription savings.

All three brands produce federally compliant hemp-derived delta 9 THC products, with variable availability depending on the state.

Conclusion: Which Brand Is Right for You?

Cycling Frog. Nowadays. Hempzer. Every drink has its strengths and weaknesses, and each may be right for you. 

While Cycling Frog offers the widest selection of flavors and strengths, Nowadays is the best suited for those seeking the traditional alcohol-mixing experience. 

On the other hand, Hempzer serves as a staple THC drink that offers clean ingredients and balanced dosing for a light lift without a hangover the next day. 

Ultimately, your choice depends on what you prioritize personally: variety, customization, or a ready-to-drink seltzer experience.

Try our Hempzer Seltzer variety pack to discover your favorite flavor now.

Cycling Frog vs. Nowadays vs. Hempzer Seltzer: Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t take off without checking out the most frequently asked questions about Cycling Frog vs. Nowadays vs Hempzer Seltzer. 

Is Cycling Frog a Good Brand?

Yes, Cycling Frog is known as a good brand in the hemp-derived THC beverage market thanks to its broad range of potencies, large flavor selection, and third-party testing. The company sells everything from beginner-friendly 2mg seltzers to high-potency 50mg beverages, making it a good option for both new and experienced THC consumers.

Does Nowadays Get You High?

Yes, Nowadays contains hemp-derived delta 9 THC, so it can produce a noticeable buzz or “high”. The intensity depends on the serving size you pour and your personal THC tolerance. 

How Long Does Nowadays Take to Kick In?

Nowadays says most people begin feeling the effects in about 10 to 20 minutes, although onset can vary based on factors like metabolism, body weight, and whether you've eaten recently. As with any THC product, it's best to wait before having another serving to gauge how it affects you. 

Is Cycling Frog Made with Delta 9 THC?

Yes, Cycling Frog products are made with hemp-derived delta 9 THC and comply with the federal hemp limit of no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Many products also contain CBD, with cannabinoid ratios varying across the lineup. 

Can You Buy Cycling Frog in Stores?

Yes, Cycling Frog products are sold through a growing network of retailers in addition to the company's online store. Availability varies by state because hemp-derived THC laws differ across the U.S., and the brand also provides a store locator to help shoppers find nearby retailers.