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THE FIRST-EVER COMPETITION EXCLUSIVELY FOR INFUSED BEVERAGES
High Spirits Awards is an exciting new infused beverage competition launched by L.A. Spirits Awards in 2023 to identify and reward excellence among the growing number of cannabis- and hemp-derived beverages available to consumers.
Our 2025 competition is open to all cannabis-infused products legally sold in California and all hemp-derived (CBD/alternative cannabinoid) beverages from anywhere in the U.S.
The competition provides a unique and exciting way for award-worthy infused-beverage brands to raise their visibility among consumers, the beverage trade, and the media with the goal of attracting new customers and increasing sales.
WE HELP STAND-OUT PRODUCTS STAND OUT
The dizzying choices consumers face when shopping for infused beverages can be nothing short of daunting. High Spirits Awards medals help buyers choose the best cannabis- and hemp-derived beverages.
Just as importantly, they also help retailers identify products their customers will enjoy and make for more confident recommendations and buying decisions.
(Investors and the media love winners, too!)
“High Spirits Awards gives infused-beverage brands a powerful tool to prove their quality and convey to consumers, retailers, and investors that their product is something special.”
RACHEL BURKONS, LEAD INFUSED-BEVERAGE JUDGE
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Judging by Experts
High Spirits Awards will be judged by experts in the cannabis and infused-beverage fields, led by Rachel Burkons, a well-known cannabis consultant, content creator, writer, and educator.
Preliminary Medal Round
Entries will first be tasted in flights organized by category. In this round, all products are judged on their own merits—not in comparison to other beverages—with flavor being the primary judging criterion.
Judges nominate products to win Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals (or no medal), and if all judges on a tasting panel nominate a product to win a Gold medal, the product wins a Platinum medal.
Because products in this Preliminary Round are judged on their own merit, there is no limit on the number of medals that might be bestowed.
Best in Show Round
Top medal winners from the Preliminary Round compete in a final tasting round judged by both High Spirits Awards judges and select L.A. Spirits Awards judges to determine Best in Show winners in individual beverage categories.
Only one product in each category can win that category’s Best in Show award, although the judges may decide not to offer Best in Show awards in certain categories.
Finally, after determining the top winners in individual categories, judges vote again to decide the winner of the High Spirits Awards' highest honor: Beverage of the Year.
2025 JUDGING CATEGORIES
Infused beverage entries will be accepted in the following categories:
ARE YOU A CBA OR HBA MEMBER?
High Spirits Awards has partnered with the Cannabis Beverage Association (CBA) and Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA) to offer their members specially discounted entry fees. If you are a current member, contact the CBA, HBA, or L.A. Spirits Awards to obtain a discount code for use when submitting your entry form.
PAST WINNERS
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We use our High Spirits Awards medals in social media, on packaging, and even in our investor pitches.
Consumers love to know that the brand they are drinking has credibility and this award certainly helps bolster our brand.
JACKIE MYERS
BETTER THAN BOOZE
WINNING IS JUST THE BEGINNING
High Spirits Awards is committed to helping winners make the most of their medals. Following the competition, we offer a number of programs and tools to help winners promote their awards.
High Spirits Awards is also planning a number of tasting events designed to help bring winning products to the attention of consumers, retailers, and the media.
Our 2025 deadline for entries is Monday, March 17.
Save on entry fees by entering before our Early Bird deadline of Friday, February 20.
The results of the 2023 High Spirits Awards will be published be released on July 24 on The Clever Root,
as well as here on our website.
Subscribe to be notified the moment results become available.
© Copyright 2025 L.A. Spirits Awards LLC. All rights reserved.
