Vermont-based Upstate Elevator has released what it claims is the first dual kanna-and-kava functional beverage line — a trio of zero-proof spritzes and sodas designed to deliver relaxation and mood support without alcohol or THC. The launch marks a deliberate pivot for a brand better known for premium cannabinoid products, and signals where at least one hemp-sector operator is betting next amid regulatory turbulence.
The Product Lineup
Two SKUs are available immediately: Pink Grapefruit Uplift Spritz and Blackberry Zinger Unwind Soda. A third flavor, Lychee Blood Orange Uplift Spritz, is set to follow later this month. Each can is formulated with a combination of clinically studied Zembrin® kanna, noble kava root extract, and L-theanine. The uplifting Spritz carries 50 mg of Zembrin® kanna, 20 mg of kava extract, and 90 mg of L-theanine at 40 calories and low sugar. The Unwind Soda leans kava-forward with 100 mg kava extract, 15 mg of Zembrin® kanna, and 90 mg of L-theanine. Both are made with organic ingredients, naturally flavored, naturally sweetened, and contain no preservatives or artificial additives.
The formulation approach — pairing a mood-lifting botanical (kanna) with a relaxation-oriented one (kava) and layering in L-theanine for mental clarity — reflects a growing sophistication in the better-for-you beverage industry trends. Brands and operators across foodservice and retail are increasingly navigating consumer demand for drinks that deliver a perceptible, functional effect without alcohol or intoxicating cannabinoids.
Why It Matters for Operators
For on-premise and retail buyers, the Upstate Elevator line enters a market segment that has seen notable momentum. Non-alcoholic and functional beverages have become a fixture on cocktail menus and in specialty retail sets, and the kava category in particular has accelerated through a wave of dedicated kava bars and wellness-focused outlets. A dual-botanical format could help operators address multiple consumer need-states — social energy and evening wind-down — within a single brand partnership.
Dylan Raap, Founder and CEO of Upstate Elevator, framed the launch as both a product innovation and a strategic hedge. "The hemp industry has experienced significant change and uncertainty the past year, but our commitment to innovation and quality remains constant," Raap said. "Our new kanna and kava drinks allow us to explore new botanical ingredients and create a functional beverage experience that gives consumers more options while staying true to the craftsmanship and standards they expect from Upstate."
The new line also complements Upstate's recently released kanna-and-kava gummies, giving the brand a multi-format presence in the functional wellness space that could appeal to retailers building out dedicated botanical or zero-proof sections. The beverages are available now at upstateelevator.com, with a nationwide retail rollout to select partners underway — a distribution ramp that operators and buyers in the functional beverage and non-alcoholic drinks space will want to track as the category matures.
For restaurant and hospitality professionals looking to diversify their non-alcoholic program, functional botanical beverages like these represent an option that sits beyond standard mocktails and NA beer, potentially appealing to wellness-oriented guests who want a tangible sensory experience with their order.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
