I Tried Upstate Elevator’s THC Añejo Lime Tequila and It Might Be the Future of Alcohol-Free Drinking

I’ve been alcohol-free for a little over a year now. In that time, I’ve learned to find good non-alcoholic options that taste almost like the real thing, but I realized there was something I really missed: tequila shots. I’m not much of a partier, but in my friend group, I’d been known for being the one who celebrates everything by buying a round of tequila shots. Friend got promoted at work? That calls for shots! Is it your birthday? Shots! Just because? Why not do some shots! So, no longer being able to do so felt like I’d lost a big part of myself, and shelling out on shots while not being able to drink one myself was too much of a downer to consider.

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Luckily, Upstate Elevator is trying to change that for those, like me, who have abstained from drinking alcohol but want something that gives you a light buzz and is a dead-ringer for tequila. The THC spirits brand sent their Añejo Lime Tequila, which contains 10mg of THC per shot (1.5 oz) as well as L-Theanine, an amino acid that relaxes you without making you sleepy. That means that while other THC-based spirits and beverages aren’t the best for socializing, this is an alternative that lets you have fun without the hangover. 

I was curious — flavor-wise, would it be a genuine, non-alcoholic replacement for tequila?

A good sign that a non-alcoholic spirit is supposed to replicate the taste of liquor is if it makes you flinch when you taste it. The first sip achieved that, but I was surprised by how smooth the actual shot was. I was used to tequila giving me heartburn, so having an option that’s easier to down is a nice plus.

Añejo tequila is typically barrel-aged from one to three years. It doesn’t appear that this “spirit” was aged, so calling it “añejo” is a bit of a stretch. Still, the flavor was close enough to average tequila to scratch the itch. Rather than the earthy taste of THC, it has a sour aftertaste from citric and ascorbic acids. The smell is almost vinegary, with a hint of sweetness from the lime and some cane sugar. 

Having it on its own is one thing, but I wondered how Upstate Elevator’s Añejo Tequila would fare as a mocktail. After trying it as a shot, I tested out the Añejo Tequila with Mango Jarritos (one of the best Jarritos flavors) and the Spindrift Cosnopolitan. I thought that mango and lime would be a good match, but the flavor from the Añejo Tequila was still stronger than the Jarritos. The Cosnopolitan with the Añejo was a winning combination, though, as the cranberry, orange, and lime juice from the Spindrift blended perfectly without the THC tequila taking over.

THC tequila sounds promising, but does it deliver on the high?

My tolerance has gone up in the past couple of years, coinciding with the rise of THC drinks (my go-to on weekends) and occasionally having weed gummies to sleep, so 10mg doesn’t do much to me. I poured myself half of a second shot to be at a 15mg range, which is what usually does the trick for me. Upstate Elevator promises fast results, but even with the additional half-shot, I didn’t feel much until around 45 minutes in. The effect is interesting — it made me both extremely relaxed yet energetic, with no munchies.

Would I recommend the Upstate Elevator Añejo Lime tequila?

Yes! I didn’t love it as a sipping spirit, but it works well as a shot and livens your spirits. It’s fantastic for those who want to feel like they’re drinking with their friends or are looking for healthier alternatives. With THC products, you often don’t know what that high is going to be like; it could be soothing, or it could be a total nightmare. This Añejo Lime won’t ruin your night — just watch your limits because the smooth shots will fool you into wanting to take more.