Recess CBD Drinks

About Recess

Recess is a New York-based wellness beverage brand founded in 2018 that creates CBD-infused sparkling waters designed to help people feel "calm, cool, collected" in an increasingly stressful world. Unlike psychoactive THC beverages, Recess focuses on non-intoxicating functional wellness with each 12oz can containing 10mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract (CBD) plus adaptogenic herbs like American ginseng, L-theanine, and lemon balm. The brand has gained a devoted social media following of over 145,000 Instagram followers through its distinctive pastel aesthetic and millennial-focused messaging.

Founded by Benjamin Witte, a former Silicon Valley tech worker turned wellness entrepreneur, Recess positioned itself as "CBD is the caffeine of the 21st century" - providing gentle relaxation and focus without the crashes associated with stimulants or alcohol. The company has expanded beyond beverages to offer powders and zero-proof mocktails, all maintaining their core mission of helping people take a mental "recess" from modern life's demands. As a hemp-derived CBD product containing 0% THC, Recess ships nationwide to most US states and provides wellness benefits without any psychoactive effects or impairment concerns. For those seeking CBD wellness beverages that prioritize taste and natural ingredients, Recess has established itself as a premium option in the functional beverage space.

Products Overview

Recess offers three main product lines centered around their wellness philosophy. Their original CBD sparkling waters combine hemp extract with adaptogens for gentle relaxation, while their Mood line features magnesium instead of CBD for those preferring non-cannabinoid options. The Zero Proof collection provides craft mocktail experiences without alcohol, all designed to help users achieve calm and balance through functional ingredients.

Other Products by Recess

Beyond beverages, Recess offers Mood Powders - a 3-in-1 powder blend containing magnesium, adaptogens, and electrolytes that can be added to any drink for on-the-go wellness support. The company also previously experimented with merchandise and apparel through "Recess Realitywear" but this appears to be discontinued.

This profile focuses specifically on Recess's CBD and wellness beverage products. For their complete product catalog including powders, visit their official website.

Background

Recess was founded in October 2018 by Benjamin Witte, a Southern California native and Boston University graduate who previously worked in Silicon Valley tech startups. Witte, describing himself as a naturally "stressed out, anxious, wired person," discovered CBD oil at natural food stores and experienced its calming effects personally. Recognizing that the user experience of CBD oil was poor, he envisioned CBD as a functional ingredient similar to caffeine that could be delivered in a more appealing format.

The company was initially incubated at Life Capital, a brand studio, before Witte spun it out independently. Launching direct-to-consumer from his East Village apartment with a social media-first strategy, Recess achieved 40 times its projected first-month sales, leading to 5,000 backorders. The brand's mission centers on providing "an antidote to modern times" through products that help people achieve focus, relaxation, creativity, and balance in an increasingly chaotic world. As Witte puts it, "CBD is the caffeine of the 21st century" - offering a new category of functional wellness beverages.

Quick Facts About Recess

Values

• Calm, Cool, Collected: Their core brand mantra focusing on achieving balance rather than intoxication
• Wellness over stimulation: Providing functional benefits without crashes or impairment concerns
• Authentic communication: Brand voice that acknowledges and gently addresses millennial anxiety culture
• Quality ingredients: Using real fruit, organic components, and premium hemp extract sourced from Colorado
• Community-driven marketing: Building relationships through earned media rather than traditional advertising

Reviews

Reviews consistently praise Recess for its superior taste compared to other CBD beverages, with many users noting the subtle, sophisticated flavors that avoid the hemp aftertaste common in CBD products. Users report feeling a gentle sense of calm and focus without drowsiness, though effects vary significantly between individuals. The Pomegranate Hibiscus and Black Cherry flavors receive particularly high marks for their natural fruit taste and balanced sweetness. Some users note that with only 10mg of CBD per can, the effects are mild and may require multiple cans for those seeking stronger relaxation benefits. The premium pricing ($5 per can) is frequently mentioned but many reviewers feel the quality and taste justify the cost compared to other CBD wellness drinks on the market.

• "The flavors are delicious and they've managed to deliver delicious flavors that are 100% natural"
• "As far as adaptogen beverages are concerned, this is the best tasting and most effective one I've tried yet"
• "Perfect evening wind-down drink without the alcohol/sugar/calories"
• "The Pomegranate Hibiscus is fruit-forward and juicy at the front, then finishes with dry tartness"

• "I experienced no internal shift one way or another after one can, so I drank another... there was no change"
• "The price for CBD canned soda water can range from $3.50 to $6.00 a can retail... much more costly than soda water"
• "CBD is fat-soluble which means these waters have oil in them... slight oil film left in your mouth"
• "10mg of hemp extract, which is quite a small dose... may not feel the effects"

Recess vs Competitors

Peers selected by category and wellness positioning.

Promotions & Coupon Codes

Recess offers subscription pricing with $10 savings per 12-pack order for recurring deliveries every 2, 4, or 8 weeks. The company occasionally runs promotional campaigns but does not heavily rely on discounting, focusing instead on earned media and word-of-mouth marketing. Check their website for current subscription offers.

Where to Buy Recess

Recess products are available direct-to-consumer through their website (takearecess.com) with nationwide shipping to most US states. Major retail partners include Target, Walmart, Total Wine & More, and thousands of independent retailers primarily on the East Coast and in California. The brand is also available through Instacart for same-day delivery and ranks as one of the top 5 fastest-growing beverage brands on Amazon.

Looking for similar functional wellness beverages? Browse our curated selection of CBD wellness drinks and functional beverages from verified retailers at buythcdrinks.com.

Quality & Testing

Recess uses broad-spectrum hemp extract sourced from Colorado, ensuring 0% THC content while retaining other beneficial cannabinoids. The company emphasizes using real fruit ingredients and organic components where possible, avoiding artificial flavors and sweeteners. Their products are gluten-free and contain no artificial colors or preservatives. However, specific information about third-party lab testing, COAs (Certificates of Analysis), or testing lab partnerships was not readily available in public sources.

Important: CBD beverages may cause mild relaxation effects; individual responses vary. Consult with healthcare providers if you have concerns about CBD interaction with medications.

Ingredients

Recess prides itself on using real, natural ingredients including organic fruit juices, herbal tea infusions, and premium adaptogenic herbs. Core functional ingredients include broad-spectrum hemp extract (10mg per can), American ginseng for cognitive support, L-theanine for relaxation without drowsiness, and lemon balm for mood balance. Sweetening comes from minimal organic cane sugar and natural fruit concentrates rather than artificial sweeteners, keeping calories low at 15-30 per can depending on flavor.

Recalls or Safety Issues

No recalls or regulatory actions reported as of 2025.

Events

Recess operated a pop-up shop called "Recess IRL" (In Real Life) in New York's SoHo neighborhood that stayed open for 8 months, hosting comedy shows, art exhibits, and product sampling events. The company has participated in various wellness and beverage industry events, focusing on community building and brand experience over traditional marketing.

PR & Media

Recess has received extensive media coverage in major publications including The New York Times, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Healthline, and various food and wellness publications. Founder Benjamin Witte was featured in Crain's New York Business 40 Under 40 in 2020. The brand's unique aesthetic and social media strategy has been frequently profiled as a case study in millennial marketing and direct-to-consumer brand building. Their "earned media" approach focuses on creating buzz through authentic community engagement rather than paid advertising.

Social Media

Company Details

Related CBD Wellness Brands

Other notable brands in the CBD wellness beverage space include Sweet Reason, which offers both day and night formulations with varying CBD levels, Vybes with higher-dose options for those seeking stronger effects, and Kin Euphorics which focuses on adaptogen-only formulations without CBD. The functional beverage category continues to grow as consumers seek alternatives to both alcohol and traditional stimulants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recess

How much CBD is in Recess products?

Recess Original CBD sparkling waters contain 10mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract per 12oz can, with 0% THC content. Their Mood and Zero Proof lines contain no CBD, focusing instead on other functional ingredients like magnesium and adaptogens.

What do Recess beverages taste like?

Recess beverages are praised for their natural fruit flavors that avoid the hemp aftertaste common in CBD products. Popular flavors include the fruit-forward Pomegranate Hibiscus, the Cherry Coke-reminiscent Black Cherry, and the sophisticated Peach Ginger with subtle tea notes.

How long do CBD effects take to kick in?

Recess does not make specific onset time claims. Users report varying experiences, with some feeling gentle relaxation within 30-60 minutes while others notice effects are cumulative over regular use. Individual responses to CBD vary significantly.

Can I drink Recess throughout the day?

Yes, Recess is positioned as a daytime wellness drink that can be consumed throughout the day without concerns about impairment or crashes. Most flavors are caffeine-free, with only Blackberry Chai containing minimal caffeine from black tea.

What makes Recess different from other CBD drinks?

Recess differentiates itself through its lifestyle branding, premium taste profile, and combination of CBD with adaptogenic herbs. Rather than focusing solely on CBD content, they market the overall experience of "taking a recess" from daily stress through functional wellness.

Last Updated

Last Updated: August 25, 2025

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Sources

• Recess Official Website — 2025-08-25 — Company
• 40 Under 40 2020: Benjamin Witte — 2020-03-25 — Crain's New York Business
• Recess Drink Review — 2021-07-17 — Taste of Home
• Open Dialogue With Benjamin Witte — 2020-12-02 — ONE37pm
• How this CBD company founder created buzz — 2019-11-14 — Yahoo Finance
• Recess Drinks Review — 2024-07-01 — Honest Brand Reviews
• Recess CBD Sparkling Water Beverage Review — 2024-05-23 — The Bossy Sauce
• I Tried It: Recess, a CBD Sparkling Water — 2019-11-18 — Healthline
• 17 Best Recess Sparkling Water Drinks & Flavors Ranked — 2023-08-05 — Parade
• Recess Company Profile — 2025-06-23 — Tracxn