TRIP CBD Drinks Review 2026 - Taste, CBD Content & How It Compares
Quick Facts
| Brand | TRIP |
| Products Reviewed | CBD Elderflower Mint, CBD Peach Ginger, Magnesium range |
| Category | CBD-infused functional drinks (not beer) |
| CBD Content | 10-15mg broad-spectrum CBD per 250ml can |
| Calories | Under 27 per can |
| Sugar | No added sugar |
| Gluten Free | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Price (approx) | From ~£2.00 per can (multipack) |
| Available | drink-trip.com, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett |
| Trustpilot | 4.5/5 (drink-trip.com) |
What Is TRIP?

TRIP is a UK-based functional drinks brand founded in 2019 by Olivia and Rob Sherwood. They sell CBD-infused sparkling drinks, magnesium drinks, CBD oils, and gummies. The brand claims to be the UK’s number one CBD drinks brand with 88% market share in the category.
TRIP positions itself as a premium alcohol alternative and wellness drink. The branding is polished - pastel colours, clean cans, wellness lifestyle imagery. It is stocked in major UK supermarkets including Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Holland & Barrett, giving it significantly wider physical retail distribution than most functional drink brands.
The core product line splits into two categories: CBD drinks (for calm and relaxation) and Magnesium drinks (for energy and recovery). They are not beers - they are lightly sparkling flavoured drinks with added functional ingredients.
Product Range
CBD Drinks (10-15mg CBD per 250ml can): - Elderflower Mint - floral and refreshing - Peach Ginger - fruity with a ginger kick - Raspberry Orange Blossom - berry-forward - Lemon Basil - citrus with herbal notes - Cold Brew Coffee - coffee-infused CBD
Magnesium Drinks (non-CBD): - Sicilian Lemon - Blood Orange Rosemary - Apple Blossom - Wild Strawberry - Cherry Lemon - Peach Yuzu Electrolytes
The Magnesium range includes Lion’s Mane mushroom extract and Vitamin D. These target the energy and recovery market rather than the relaxation market.
Other Products: CBD oils (300-3000mg), gummies, and powders.
Ingredients and How CBD Works
TRIP uses broad-spectrum CBD - meaning it contains multiple cannabinoids from the hemp plant but with THC removed. This is legal in the UK.
CBD Drink Ingredients (Elderflower Mint example): - Carbonated water - Natural elderflower and mint flavourings - 15mg broad-spectrum CBD - Adaptogens (chamomile, L-Theanine in some variants) - Lemon juice - Sweetener (stevia or similar)
How CBD works for relaxation: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, stress response, and sleep. Research suggests it may reduce anxiety and promote calm, though the evidence for the low doses found in drinks (10-15mg) is less conclusive than for higher therapeutic doses (typically 25-150mg in clinical studies).
This is an important point: the CBD content in a single TRIP drink is at the lower end of what research suggests is effective. Some people report feeling calmer after one drink. Others report no noticeable effect. The experience varies significantly between individuals.
Taste and Drinking Experience
TRIP drinks are not beer. They are closer to premium flavoured sparkling water with a slightly earthy undertone from the CBD.
What we noticed:
- Light, refreshing, and lightly carbonated
- Elderflower Mint is the most popular flavour - floral and clean
- Peach Ginger has genuine warmth from the ginger
- No strong CBD taste in most variants - well-masked by the flavourings
- Very low sugar, which means some flavours are quite subtle
- Not a beer replacement in terms of taste or drinking ritual
TRIP works as an evening drink or an afternoon pick-me-up. It does not replicate the experience of having a beer - it is its own thing. If you are looking for something that feels like having a drink at the pub, this is not it. If you are looking for a sparkling wellness drink, it delivers.
Nutrition
| Per 250ml can | CBD Drinks | Magnesium Drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Under 27 | Under 27 |
| Sugar | No added sugar | No added sugar |
| CBD | 10-15mg | None |
| Magnesium | None | Yes |
| Gluten Free | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes |
The nutritional profile is very clean. Under 27 calories and no added sugar across the range. This is one of TRIP’s genuine strengths.
What Customers Say
TRIP has a 4.5/5 on Trustpilot. However, the negative reviews reveal some consistent issues:
Positive:
“Genuinely helps me unwind in the evening without reaching for wine. The Elderflower Mint is lovely.” - Trustpilot, verified
“Perfect alcohol alternative for evenings. I feel calmer after one or two.” - Trustpilot, verified
Negative:
“Never take out a subscription! You get no warning so you can defer a delivery. They just send you a shipping notice that you have been charged. I am drowning in the stuff.” - Trustpilot, 1 star
“Ordered some of the new flavours and didn’t like them - one was flavourless and the other had a strong vinegar flavour.” - Trustpilot, 1 star
“I had two of the gummies and developed gastro-intestinal problems. Great products, just not for me.” - Trustpilot, 2 stars
“Delivery did not arrive. Delivery driver changed the time of delivery to an earlier slot and then never came. This is a fairly standard Evri problem.” - Trustpilot, 1 star
Key patterns: - Subscription management is a recurring complaint - hard to pause, unexpected charges - Delivery issues (Evri again) - Some flavours described as “flavourless” or “vinegary” - CBD effects vary - some feel it, some don’t notice anything
CBD vs Social Blend - How TRIP Compares to IMPOSSIBREW
This is where the comparison gets interesting. Both TRIP and IMPOSSIBREW are functional drinks designed to promote relaxation without alcohol. But they take fundamentally different approaches.
| TRIP CBD | IMPOSSIBREW Social Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | 10-15mg broad-spectrum CBD | 375mg Social Blend (L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin B1, Magnesium) |
| Mechanism | Endocannabinoid system | GABA/serotonin pathway via L-Theanine + adaptogenic stress response via Ashwagandha |
| Dose Effectiveness | Low end of research-supported range (clinical doses: 25-150mg) | Clinically-studied doses of each ingredient |
| Onset Time | 15-45 minutes (CBD absorption varies) | Typically within 15-30 minutes |
| Category | Flavoured sparkling drink | Alcohol-free beer |
| Drinking Ritual | Wellness/evening drink | Pub, social, meal accompaniment |
| Customer Reported Relaxation | Varies significantly | 84% report feeling relaxed |
| Price | ~£2.00/250ml can | ~£3.25/440ml can |
| Availability | Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, H&B, online | Online, Amazon, specialist AF retailers |
The key difference: TRIP gives you CBD in a flavoured sparkling water format. IMPOSSIBREW gives you a full beer experience with clinically-dosed functional ingredients.
If you want a light, low-calorie wellness drink to sip in the evening, TRIP works. If you want something that replaces the full experience of having a beer - the taste, the ritual, the social setting, AND the relaxation - IMPOSSIBREW is designed for that.
The Social Blend formula uses ingredients with more established and consistent evidence for relaxation at the doses provided. L-Theanine is well-studied for promoting alpha brain waves and calm alertness. Ashwagandha is one of the most researched adaptogens for stress reduction. The 375mg combined dose provides clinically meaningful amounts of each ingredient.
CBD at 10-15mg is a lower dose than what most clinical studies use, which may explain why consumer experiences with TRIP vary more widely.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Widely available in UK supermarkets - you can buy it at Waitrose
- Very low calorie (under 27) and no added sugar
- Clean, refreshing taste - well-made sparkling drinks
- Broad range of flavours and product types (drinks, oils, gummies)
- Gluten-free and vegan
- 4.5/5 on Trustpilot
Cons
- CBD dose (10-15mg) is at the low end of clinically effective range
- Not a beer - does not replace the drinking experience or pub ritual
- Subscription management complaints are common on Trustpilot
- Some flavours described as bland or vinegary
- Effects vary significantly between people
- CBD is more expensive per mg than IMPOSSIBREW’s Social Blend approach
- Delivery issues (Evri)
- Not suitable if you want the experience of having a beer
Who Is TRIP Best For?
TRIP works for a specific use case:
- Evening wind-down - a sparkling drink to replace wine or G&T
- Wellness-focused consumers who are already into CBD
- People who do not want a beer - different category, different ritual
- Supermarket shoppers - easy to pick up at Waitrose or Sainsbury’s
- Low-calorie priority - under 27 calories per can
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TRIP CBD actually work?
Is TRIP better than IMPOSSIBREW for relaxation?
Is TRIP an alcohol-free beer?
How much CBD is in one TRIP drink?
Where can I buy TRIP?
How does TRIP compare to IMPOSSIBREW?
Verdict
TRIP has built a strong brand in the UK CBD drinks market. The products are well-made, widely available, and the low-calorie profile is appealing. The 4.5 Trustpilot rating reflects genuine satisfaction from many customers.
But as a relaxation product, the evidence is mixed. The CBD dose is low relative to clinical research, and customer experiences vary widely. The subscription management issues and delivery complaints are worth knowing about.
If you want a clean, light sparkling drink with some CBD, TRIP is a credible choice. If you want the full experience of having a beer - the taste, the pour, the social ritual - with genuine, consistent relaxation from clinically-dosed ingredients, that is what IMPOSSIBREW’s Social Blend is built for. They are different products for different moments, and the best choice depends on what you are reaching for.
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