Founder’s Corner: The Flavor Tug-of-War — Building a Better-for-You THC Drink

You know what’s harder than getting three kids to agree on a movie night?

Getting your flavor house, co-packer, and process authority consultant to align on how to make a THC drink that’s shelf-stable, preservative-free, and still packed with flavor — all without blowing up the canning line.

Welcome to another behind-the-scenes chapter of building Hightail, our clean-label THC beverage for busy, wellness-focused adults. This one’s all about flavor, carbonation, and the science behind making a truly better-for-you beverage.

The Pasteurization Problem: Avoiding the Flavor Fallout

Back in Founder’s Corner Entry 1, we talked about our pasteurization panic — where we realized that flash pasteurization just wasn’t going to cut it. The high heat and pressure risked degrading the flavor, flattening the carbonation, and worst of all… exploding the cans.
Not ideal.

We needed a safer, smarter, and more stable solution for a non-alcoholic THC drink that could live on shelves without artificial preservatives — and without sacrificing the elevated flavor experience we’re known for.

The Slow Cooker Method (Yes, Really)

So, we went back to the lab. Weeks of R&D calls, flavor testing, and method development led us to an unexpectedly simple approach with complex impact:

• Lower carbonation

• Longer hold time

• Lower pasteurization temperature

This method gave us everything we needed:
✔️ Flavor integrity
✔️ Functional carbonation
✔️ Full safety compliance
✔️ Shelf-stable without preservatives

In short, we created a preservative-free THC drink that still sparkles, refreshes, and never compromises on taste. Just clean, crisp, chef-crafted refreshment — and yes, it’s all totally compliant.

🧪 Want to learn more about safe pasteurization and functional beverages? Check out this guide from the FDA.

Why Carbonation & Flavor Matter in Functional Beverages

When we say Hightail is better-for-you, we mean it on every level — including how it feels to drink.

Too much carbonation can overpower delicate flavors or cause bloat. Too little makes for a flat, unsatisfying sip. We had to get it just right — especially for a THC-infused beverage meant to be savored by women navigating busy lives, wellness shifts, and sensory overload.

🫧 Curious how carbonation affects flavor and mouthfeel? This article from Beverage Industry breaks it down.

Why This Process Matters to Us — and to You

Quality isn’t just taste. It’s intention. It’s safety. It’s honoring our promise to never cut corners — even when easier options exist.

When you sip Hightail and feel that gentle lift from our microdose of THC and 3mg of CBG, know that it was built with care:

• No preservatives

• No artificial flavors

• No shortcuts

• Just a clean-label, better-for-you non-alcoholic cannabis drink you can trust

You deserve a functional beverage that delivers on its promise. That’s why we took the long way. That’s why we chose the slow cooker method. That’s why every can is both a technical triumph and a celebration of craft.

Thanks for sipping smarter with us.
– 🖤 Anna, Founder of Hightail

✨ Keep Exploring:

• Try Hightail → (Preservative-free THC drink for summer sipping)

• Why We Prefer CBG Over CBD → (Discover the benefits of CBG in functional beverages)

• Share the Fun → (Invite your circle into the Hightail lifestyle)