Overcoming distribution and regulation obstacles to create a perfect THC and CBD blend
Lyre’s spirits make a range of non-alcoholic spirits that taste just like the classic spirits they were patterned after. The company’s goal is to enable anyone to be able to enjoy their favorite cocktail “in a non-alcoholic fashion”. After much success, the company has expanded its foundation into premixes. Their best-sellers, like American Malt & Cola, Italian Sparkling Prosecco and Amalfi Spritz, were made available in canned ready-to-drink formats.
The company continues to innovate. Lyre’s has recently worked with Menu Collective to launch a new variation of these canned non-alcoholic beverages under the brand name, Averi. Initially launching in Canada, this new brand will feature the Amalfi Spritz and the Classico Italian Sparking Prosecco now formulated with a blend of THC and CBD.
Navigating difficulties in production and distribution regulations, Menu Collective helped source the ingredients. They took their base flavor compounds that were produced on the other side of the globe and localized the production to be more cost-effective, streamlined and U.S.-compliant.
Product development was also difficult because doses of THC and CBD differ in formulation and CBD’s adverse taste experience requires expertise in masking the flavor. Plus, THC is difficult to distribute and procure from state to state.
The result is an expertly crafted line of cannabis-infused ready-to-drink classic Lyre’s beverages that will hit the Canadian shelves in 2022.
Why Cannabis Beverage Development Requires More Than a Good Recipe
Creating a cannabis-infused beverage that feels elevated, balanced, and commercially ready requires more than simply adding THC or CBD to a formula. It demands a partner who understands flavor, functionality, regulation, and consumer experience from end to end. Menu Collective brings decades of real industry expertise to ambitious brands, guiding them through complex projects such as Lyre’s transition to a cannabis-forward product under the Averi label.
When Lyre’s — known for its award-winning non-alcoholic spirits — decided to expand into cannabis beverages with its new Averi brand, it needed more than a formulator. They needed a team that understood the entire ecosystem: from sourcing compliant ingredients internationally to masking CBD’s notoriously bitter taste while maintaining the sophisticated flavor profiles their customers expected.
What Makes Cannabis Beverage Development Different?
The reality of cannabis beverage development is that traditional beverage formulation expertise alone won’t cut it. THC procurement varies wildly from state to state. CBD dosing requires precision that goes beyond standard beverage metrics. Distribution regulations can turn a successful formula into a compliance nightmare overnight.
Formulating a premium cannabis drink requires precision: balancing THC/CBD ratios, masking bitterness, ensuring stability, and aligning with strict regional regulations. Menu Collective’s specialists, handpicked for each project, worked side by side with Lyre’s team to solve these challenges with confidence and ingenuity.
Our “design, develop, deliver” framework ensures every beverage reflects the creator’s vision while also meeting the demands of retailers, regulators, and real consumers. Whether a client is expanding an existing product line or launching a new company entirely, the pathway remains the same: thoughtful creativity supported by strategic, commercially astute execution.
What Makes Our Approach Collaborative, Creative, and Commercially Smart?
Menu Collective is built on a simple belief: the best ideas come from collaboration, not rigid consulting playbooks. That’s why clients, from established beverage companies to first-time founders, lean on the team’s mixology artistry, commercial insight, and industry-tested processes.
For the Lyre’s project, this meant helping a globally recognized non-alcoholic brand navigate a new category, unify flavor integrity with cannabinoid functionality, and build a concept that could scale legally, safely, and consistently. Our ability to merge creativity with real-world feasibility is what continues to set us apart from traditional hemp beverage consulting firms.
If your brand is exploring cannabis beverage development or needs hemp beverage consulting expertise, Menu Collective offers a proven approach shaped by 45+ years of hands-on experience. Ready to explore what your next beverage could become or check out our other services? Reach out and collaborate with a team that knows how to bring bold ideas to market.
Let’s Create Something ExceptionalFrequently Asked Questions
Lyre’s required a beverage that honored its non-alcoholic heritage while delivering a clean, approachable cannabis experience. We developed a tailored formulation strategy that kept flavor, functionality, and consistency at the forefront.
The team helps clients understand regional rules, plan for compliant production, and design formulations that meet both safety and commercial standards.
Yes. Our support spans concept creation, sensory refinement, packaging guidance, and strategic direction to help clients move confidently from idea to shelf.
Established brands looking to expand, startups entering the beverage market, and retailers seeking innovative ready-to-drink offerings all benefit from Menu Collective’s specialized, partnership-focused model.