Hiyo vs Recess: How Vena Seltzers Compare?

Not sure whether you should go with Hiyo vs Recess drinks? You’re not alone. Both brands sell functional seltzers. Both brands say they’re great for stress relief and social drinking. 

But where does the buzz come from? That’s the big difference between Recess vs Hiyo and other seltzers you have at your fingertips these days. Neither brand contains THC! 

Hiyo has adaptogens. Recess started with CBD but mostly makes magnesium drinks these days. That’s why it’s worth including Vena in the conversation as a totally different option. 

Our THC seltzer lineup delivers a real buzz without alcohol, whether you want something light or heavy. Happy Tonix hits the spot in any situation - alone at home unwinding, or catching up with loved ones. Learn more about Vena vs Hiyo vs Recess below!

Key Takeaways

• Hiyo is an adaptogen. Zero THC or CBD. Just ashwagandha, lion's mane, and other botanicals. 

• Recess started as a CBD sparkling water, but the best-selling Mood line now uses magnesium L-threonate instead. Again, no THC.

• Vena gives you a real buzz you can feel with THC ranging from 2mg to 10mg. You also get CBD to balance the effects out.

Quick Comparison of Hiyo vs Recess vs Vena

Overview of Hiyo Drinks

Hiyo was born in Los Angeles back in 2021. The co-founders set out to make a better drink after their families dealt with alcohol-related hospitalizations. 

The whole brand centers on something called “the float.” That's a 1.7g proprietary blend where ashwagandha (KSM-66) and lion's mane mushroom do most of the heavy lifting. There’s also L-theanine, lemon balm, passion flower, and ginger. USDA Certified Organic across the board. 

Popular Drinks

You've got six options, all in 12oz cans, USDA Certified Organic across the board: 

• Blackberry Lemon

• Peach Mango

• Watermelon Lime

• Strawberry Guava

• Pineapple Coconu

• Passion Fruit Tangerine

Just 25 and 30 calories. Sweetened with organic erythritol and cane sugar (around 5g of sugar). 

Hiyo says its drinks are a perfect pairing for social occasions. Something to hold at a party when you’re staying sober but don’t just want another boring sparkling water. 

Costs and Considerations

A 12-pack goes for $44.99, or about $3.75 a can. Subscribers pay closer to $3.19. But maybe you don’t want to buy a case right away.  You can also find Hiyo singles for around $4.99 at places like Target and Walmart. 

One thing we don’t love about Hiyo is the proprietary dosing. Individual ingredient doses are kept under wraps. Like we said earlier, you’re getting 1.7 grams of good stuff. We just don’t know how it divvies up. It’s split six ways. 

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t something you drink when you really want to feel something. The brand themselves say the adaptogen benefits build with daily use over 2 to 4 weeks. It’s a long-term wellness play, not necessarily something you drink when you need to take the edge off right away. Definitely not something you drink to catch a buzz, either.

Overview of Recess Drinks

Recess has been around a little longer than Hiyo. The New York brand popped on the scene in 2018 and built early buzz as a CBD sparkling water. It was really popular, but then the company pivoted in 2022. Everything changed - for better or worse. 

Different Formulas

You’ll find three separate product lines at Recess, each a little different in terms of ingredients and format. The Original still has 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD in each can with L-theanine, ginseng, and lemon balm. Five flavors, but remember - there’s never any THC in the mix 

Recess Mood swaps the CBD for magnesium L-threonate with L-theanine and lemon balm. These are the best-sellers these days, and they come in nine flavors:

• Orange vanilla

• Strawberry rose

• Lime citrus

• Grapefruit tangerine

• Tropical bliss

• Raspberry lemon

• Peach ginger

• Blood orange

• Black cherry 

Zero Proof is the mocktail line. It comes in Classic Cosmo, Lime Margarita, Grapefruit Paloma, and a few more. Each can has around 10mg of caffeine from guayusa. All 12oz. 

Calories range from 15 to 20 for Mood and Original tonics, and 25 to 35 for the mocktails. 

Pricing and Limitations

A 12-pack is $49.99, or around $39.99 if you subscribe to regular orders. $3.33 to $4.17 per can (depending on the plan). Like Hiyo, you can find singles at retail land for around $4.99. Pick them up at Target, Walmart, Kroger, and most major grocery chains. Both brands in the Recess vs Hiyo price comparison sit comfortably under $5 at every tier. 

The bigger issue in the entire Hiyo vs Recess conversation: neither brand delivers THC. Recess Original has CBD, which is better than nothing…sort of. We think it’s still an underwhelming experience if you buy a can expecting to feel something.

Long story short, both brands fall short of that if you came to this comparison looking for a functional seltzer that actually buzzes you. That’s why it’s worth adding Vena to the Hiyo vs Recess comparison.

Overview of Vena Drinks

Vena is the only brand here that puts real THC in the mix. You’ll feel the difference shortly after finishing that first can. The Happy Tonix line is full-spectrum, built with liposomal technology, and designed to hit in 15 minutes or less. 

Our thought process is this - adaptogens take weeks to make a difference. THC works the first time you crack a can. Happy Tonix is something you can feel at the party tonight, before bed when your mind is racing, or after work when you just want to take the edge off.

Our Best-Sellers

Happy Tonix Originals deliver 2mg THC and 2mg CBD per can in Black Cherry, Grapefruit, and Guava Passionfruit. 40 calories each. The Skinny Mocktails use the same 2mg formula but drop to 15 calories with zero sugar. Available in Margarita, Citrus Spritz, Mojito. 

Maybe you already have a tolerance for THC, though, and want something with some serious kick. The 10mg line steps it up, but the whole experience stays super balanced since there’s still 5mg of CBd in the can. These come in Blood Orange, Lime, and Mango.

Every can uses liposomal technology for a 15-minute onset. Nine flavors across three lines means it’s easy to find something that’s exactly up your alley

Blood Orange THC Seltzer | Lime THC Seltzer | Mango THC Seltzer

How Much Do They Cost?

A 6-pack of Happy Tonix Originals or Skinny Mocktails runs $29.95, so about five bucks a can. The 10mg line is $39.95 per 6-pack ($6.66 each). 

Yeah, it’s more expensive per can than Hiyo or Recess. Price doesn’t tell the whole story, though. You can buy adaptogens and magnesium in a $15 supplement bottle. THC in a ready-to-drink liposomal can is a totally different thing. Not really apples-to-apples.

We also go well beyond drinks, which neither Hiyo nor Recess can say. Gummies, tinctures, capsules, skincare. If you've been looking for a Hiyo alternative that covers your entire wellness routine, or a BRĒZ alternative with a full product catalog behind it, your search ends here.

Hiyo vs Recess vs Vena: Your Guide to Choosing the Right Seltzer

All three brands call themselves alcohol alternatives. But honestly, that’s where the overlap ends. You’re in for a very different experience across Hiyo vs Recess vs Vena. Here’s what you need to think about to narrow it down to the right fit for YOUR preferences. 

THC vs THC-Free

This is what the Hiyo vs Recess conversation really comes down to once you zoom out. The cannabis content - or lack thereof. 

Hiyo has zero THC or CBD. Any effect comes from adaptogens that build over weeks, so don’t expect to notice anything after that first can. Or even the first few cans, for that matter. 

Recess Original has 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD. Sure, this cannabinoid can create a sense of calm but it’s so subtle that you won’t really feel it doing anything. The Mood line drops even that. 

Vena's Happy Tonix is in a league of its own with real delta-9 THC. You’ll feel it - believe us. Within 15 minutes, too. No need to wait weeks for ingredients to work their magic. Choosing between Hiyo or Recess is easy when you want an actual buzz. Only Vena delivers that.

Other Ingredients

Hiyo loads up on ashwagandha and lion's mane for stress and focus, passion flower and ginger for calm and digestion. All organic, all inside a proprietary blend where individual doses aren't listed. It’s why you see BRĒZ vs Hiyo compared all the time - same type of ingredients. 

On the other hand, Recess Mood makes its drinks from magnesium L-threonate. Don’t get us wrong, there’s legit research behind it for brain health. But it’s not really something that can change your vibe on command. The Original adds ginseng alongside the CBD. 

Meanwhile, Vena keeps it simple with just full-spectrum hemp extract. THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids work together through the entourage effect. The THC drink speaks for itself. No need to dilute the can with all these other adaptogens.

Flavor Lineups

You can let your taste buds guide you towards the right can in the Hiyo vs Recess vs Vena comparison. There’s a lot to choose from across all three brands.

Recess has the biggest range by far between Mood, Original, and Zero Proof. You have more than 20 options in total. Hiyo is definitely the thinnest at just six options. Vena sits at nine across three product lines. This chart shows you what each brings to the table: 

Our low-calorie THC seltzer Skinny Mocktails are some of the best-tasting guilt-free tonics you’ll ever try, though. You get cocktail-inspired flavors at just 15 calories and zero sugar. Give them a shot, and you’ll see what keeps customers coming back for more.

Value Per Can

Pricing isn’t exactly apples-to-apples, like we said earlier, because these are three very different alcohol alternatives. You can use the chart below to get a better idea of what you’ll pay:

Hiyo and Recess take it on sticker price. But what's in each can? We think that matters more. Hiyo and Recess are just adaptogens and minerals. Vena’s THC and CBD buzz hits within 15 minutes. Per-can price doesn't tell you much when the products are this different.

Best Use Cases For Each Brand

It might help you narrow it down between Vena, Hiyo, or Recess by thinking about the occasion you’re drinking for. These are some of the most common settings to reach for an alcohol alternative:

Social Settings

Hiyo and Recess both give you something interesting in your hand that won't get you buzzed. Vena is the pick when you actually want to feel something while you're out. 

A 2mg Happy Tonix keeps things light for all-night socializing, especially when you want to have a couple of drinks to pass the time. A 10mg can packs a punch when you want to sip one can slowly.

Winding Down Before Bed

Recess Mood's magnesium L-threonate has real sleep research backing it up. Hiyo's passion flower and L-theanine lean that direction, too. Vena’s THC and CBD seltzers work to ease the physical tension and quiet the racing mind that so often keeps you awake at night. 

Vena goes further with Lights Out gummies: 50mg CBD, 5mg THC, and melatonin built specifically for sleep. That's a product built for the job, not a seltzer doing double duty.

Creativity and Focus

Hiyo's lion's mane and L-theanine can help you find your flow state. Recess Zero Proof is a great option as well with around 10mg of caffeine from guayusa for a gentle lift. Vena's seltzers aren't made for focusing, but a lot of people do find that low-dose cannabis helps.

Stress Relief

All three brands are great stress management tools, just different. Hiyo’s ashwagandha and lemon balm helps build a healthier stress response over time. Recess’s magnesium content comes over you in a wave of calm. Vena's approach is THC, which melts all your worries away..

The difference is timing. Adaptogens and minerals work best with consistent daily intake over weeks. THC works right away. Need stress relief tonight? Vena is the obvious pick.

The Bottom Line on Recess vs Hiyo

The Recess vs Hiyo debate makes sense if you're shopping strictly within the adaptogen and functional wellness space. But neither one offers THC. That's the gap Vena fills. Shop now and see for yourself what separates Vena from the rest! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hiyo have THC or CBD?

Nope. Just adaptogens and botanicals. 

Does Hiyo actually give you a buzz?

No. Hiyo says their products produce “the float,” which is a mild mood lift from the adaptogen blend. Super subtle, and it takes weeks to feel (if you feel it at all).

Do Recess drinks have CBD in them?

Only the Original line. The Mood line and Zero Proof mocktails dropped CBD.

Will Hiyo, Recess, or Vena fail a drug test?

Hiyo won't cause any issues since there are no cannabinoids in it at all. Recess Original has broad-spectrum CBD at 0% THC, which still shouldn't set anything off. Vena is the one to be careful with because our products contain real THC and could show up on a standard screen.

Do THC drinks hit harder than your average edible?

Faster, not harder. A liposomal THC seltzer can hit in 15-30 minutes. A gummy might keep you waiting 45 minutes to 2 hours.

How fast will I feel the effects of Recess, Hiyo, and Vena?

Hiyo and Recess work slowly over the course of a few days or weeks. Vena is something you can feel right away. 

What's the best option for social drinking without alcohol?

Hiyo and Recess are great if you just want something in your hand that tastes good and takes the edge off. Vena gives you actual THC, which is closer to the social looseness alcohol provides.