CBD, not ABV

You can debate whether the CBD in InTune soft drinks offers a boost to your system, but the drink will definitely benefit your taste buds

Food and Drink 23 Jan 2023

The range of InTune drinks containing CBD

The range of InTune drinks containing CBD

When InTune founder Hannah Glasson was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she discovered the benefits of cannabidiol. ‘It helped me to feel present, focused and highly productive,’ she says.

InTune founder Hannah Glasson
InTune founder Hannah Glasson

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the 100+ cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant and behaves differently to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – most importantly, it is neither psychoactive, nor addictive. It has been shown by reputable research to have positive effects on inflammation (such as arthritis), pain reduction, alleviating anxiety, aiding regular sleep as well as helping with specific conditions such as epilepsy and ALS. It is also linked anecdotally to less provable benefits such as topping up the body’s own endocannabinoid system to help relaxation and improve focus.

InTune Grapefruit & Mint
InTune Grapefruit & Mint

With this magical ingredient becoming so popular, there is no shortage of CBD-related products – and not all of them are of any use. One study in the US a few years ago found less than a third of the products tested contained their quoted levels of CBD. InTune, by contrast, sources its CBD from reputable, audited hemp farmers in Colorado and each 250ml can contains 10mg of CBD (recommended maximum daily intake is 70mg).

The hemp, however, is only half the story. Glasson has worked in the food and drinks business for much of her career and felt that the CBD drinks available simply weren’t good enough as drinks in their own right. Hence InTune is made using natural fruit and botanicals, and contains only 4% sugar (no point stripping out the THC then giving you a sugar rush).

InTune Pomegranate & Ginger
InTune Pomegranate & Ginger

The three different flavours – Elderflower and Hops, Grapefruit and Mint, Pomegranate and Ginger – all have a vibrancy and depth of flavour to them, without the cloying sweetness of many fizzy soft drinks. In fact, InTune has won five prestigious Great Taste awards.

Incidentally, while this is a non-alcoholic drinks guide to Dry January, InTune drinks are rather good mixers too… the Elderflower and Hops version works well in a spritz, while the Grapefruit and Mint makes a great Paloma with tequila.

InTune Elderflower & Hops
InTune Elderflower & Hops

As an independent brand, InTune completed a successful crowdfund in September 2022, but is seeking further investment for expansion. It is currently available in venues as diverse as Gourmet Burger Kitchen and the Lime Wood Hotel, and available at retail (£2.50 a can, £29.99 for 12) from Amazon and in Fortnum & Mason.

intunedrinks.com