BRĒZ vs Hiyo: My Honest Comparison
I didn’t set out to compare Brez and Hiyo. I just wanted something to sip on that wasn’t alcohol but also didn’t feel like a sad replacement. No mocktail menu. No awkward sparkling water with lime pretending to be fun.
Somewhere between cutting back on drinking and still wanting a little buzz, I kept seeing Brez and Hiyo everywhere. Ads, friends’ fridges, social media. Both promised relaxation, mood support, and that “take the edge off” feeling. But they also felt very different in vibe, ingredients, and how people talked about them.
So I tried both. Multiple times. Different settings. Different moods. And after a few weeks of paying attention to how each one actually made me feel, I realized this wasn’t just a flavor comparison. It was more about what kind of experience I wanted at the end of the day.
Here’s how Brez vs Hiyo played out for me, without the marketing fluff.
What Is BRĒZ?
BRĒZ is a functional, non-alcoholic social tonic that’s meant to replace alcohol with a low-dose cannabis experience. Instead of booze, it leans on micronized THC and CBD, along with adaptogens like lion’s mane mushroom and botanical flavors.
From my experience, it’s clearly not trying to taste like beer or wine. It’s more about how it makes you feel.
BRĒZ comes in a few formats:
- Sparkling cans (12 oz)
- Concentrated “Spirit” shots (50 mL)
- Multiple strength options, from microdose to extra strength
Depending on the formula, the goal is mild euphoria, relaxation, or light focus rather than a full-on high.
BRĒZ Claims:
Alcohol alternative with no hangover
Partially true. Low-dose THC and CBD can feel relaxing or mildly euphoric for a lot of people, and I didn’t experience anything close to an alcohol-style hangover. That said, tolerance, metabolism, and dose matter a lot. What feels smooth to one person can feel off to another.
Fast-acting microdosing
Reasonable, but not guaranteed. Micronized cannabinoids are designed to absorb faster than traditional edibles, and in my case the effects did show up quicker. Still, timing varies from person to person, so it’s not instant or perfectly predictable.
Lion’s mane for focus
Promising, but not proven. There’s early research suggesting lion’s mane may support cognitive function, but in a drink like this, the effects are subtle at best. I’d describe it as a gentle nudge, not a dramatic focus boost.
What Is Hiyo?
Hiyo Organic Social Tonics is a non-alcoholic, cannabis-free functional seltzer. Unlike BRĒZ, there’s no THC or CBD here at all. Instead, Hiyo uses a 1.7 g blend of adaptogens and nootropics to promote calm, light relaxation, and what the brand calls “the float.”
When I first tried it, the biggest thing I noticed was how safe and approachable it felt. No dosing math. No worrying about tolerance. Just crack a can and sip.
Hiyo is sold in:
- 12 oz sparkling cans
- Variety packs and single flavors
- Widely available online and in retail stores
It’s clearly designed for everyday drinking or social settings where you want something more interesting than soda but zero intoxication.
Hiyo Claims:
“Feel the float” relaxation effect
Plausible, but mild. Ingredients like L-theanine, ashwagandha, and lemon balm are all linked to relaxation and stress support. In my experience, the effect is subtle. I felt a gentle calming shift, not a noticeable mood change or buzz. It’s more “take the edge off” than “feel different.”
Organic, low sugar, low calorie
Accurate. This is where Hiyo really delivers. The ingredient list is clean, the sugar is low, and it never felt heavy or artificial. If you care about nutrition labels and want something you can drink regularly without thinking twice, Hiyo checks that box.
Sugar & Calories
| Drink | Calories | Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| BRĒZ | ~20–35 kcal | ~2–8 g |
| Hiyo | ~30 kcal | ~3–5 g |
Verdict: Both are low-calorie and way lighter than soda or cocktails. In my experience, BRĒZ varies more depending on the specific product and strength, while Hiyo is very consistent from can to can. If predictability matters to you, Hiyo feels easier to slot into a daily routine.
Ingredients Breakdown
BRĒZ Key Ingredients
- Micronized THC & CBD (often around 5 mg THC / 10 mg CBD)
- Lion’s mane mushroom
- Botanicals like elderflower and butterfly pea
- Agave or other plant-based sweeteners
From my experience, everything about BRĒZ centers on effect first. The cannabinoids do the heavy lifting, and the botanicals feel more supportive than starring.
Hiyo Key Ingredients
- Ashwagandha
- L-theanine
- Lion’s mane
- Lemon balm, passion flower, ginger
- Organic fruit flavors and sparkling water
Hiyo’s ingredient list reads more like a calming tea turned into a seltzer. Nothing here is meant to alter your perception, just gently smooth things out.
The Big Difference
BRĒZ is psychoactive.
Hiyo is non-intoxicating.
That single distinction changes everything. BRĒZ can shift your mood and headspace in a noticeable way. Hiyo stays firmly in the “feel normal, just calmer” lane. Which one makes sense really depends on whether you want an effect you can feel, or one you barely notice but appreciate over time.
Experience
BRĒZ
With BRĒZ, I noticed a real shift in my mood. Not overwhelming, but definitely noticeable. There’s a mild euphoria or relaxed, floaty feeling that comes on, and it honestly feels closer to having a drink than most non-alcoholic options I’ve tried. That said, the experience depends a lot on tolerance. On days when I was more sensitive, it felt stronger and more heady. Other times, it landed softer. It’s not something I’d drink mindlessly.
Hiyo
Hiyo feels much quieter by comparison. I felt calm, slightly relaxed, maybe a touch uplifted, but never buzzed or altered. There’s no impairment and no moment where you think, “Okay, something’s kicking in.” It feels more like a grown-up sparkling water that subtly smooths things out. For me, it worked best during the day or in social settings where I wanted to stay fully present and clear-headed.
Health & Wellness Benefits
BRĒZ
BRĒZ works well as a lower-calorie alternative to alcohol, especially if your main goal is cutting back on drinking without giving up the feeling of unwinding. I didn’t experience alcohol-style hangovers, which is a big plus. Still, it’s not something you can treat casually. It’s not suitable for driving, pregnancy, or mixing with certain medications, and the effects can vary a lot from person to person. What feels light and relaxing for one person might feel too strong for another.
Hiyo
Hiyo fits more cleanly into a wellness routine. It supports stress reduction and makes it easier to skip alcohol without feeling like you’re missing out, but there’s no intoxication involved. I felt comfortable drinking it during the day or on back-to-back days. That said, it’s not a replacement for clinical supplements or targeted treatments. Think of it as a supportive habit, not a fix.
Price Comparison
| Drink | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| BRĒZ | ~$24 per 4-pack (≈ $6 per can) |
| Hiyo | ~$1.80–$3.00 per can (retail varies) |
Verdict: Hiyo is significantly more affordable and easier to find, especially in retail stores. BRĒZ sits firmly in premium territory, largely because of its cannabis content and controlled distribution. For me, BRĒZ felt more like an occasional replacement for alcohol, while Hiyo made sense as a regular fridge staple.
Taste Comparison
BRĒZ
BRĒZ leans into a mocktail-style flavor profile. Most of the cans I tried were citrus-forward with a botanical edge and just enough sweetness to keep things balanced. Some flavors were really enjoyable, but a few had a noticeable hempy or earthy aftertaste. It’s not bad, just something you’re aware of, especially if you’re sensitive to cannabis flavors.
Hiyo
Hiyo is more fruit-forward and straightforward. It’s fizzy, refreshing, and lightly sweet without tasting artificial. There’s a mild botanical finish, but it stays in the background. Overall, it feels more approachable and easier to like, especially for people who just want something that tastes good without thinking too much about what’s in it.
Customer Experience
BRĒZ
BRĒZ definitely leans into the cocktail replacement vibe. The packaging is sleek and stylish, and the branding feels intentional and premium. Buying it can take a little more effort, though. Availability depends heavily on THC laws where you live, so it’s not always something you can grab on a whim. Subscriptions and bundles help if it’s available in your area, but it still feels more like a planned purchase than an impulse one.
Hiyo
Hiyo wins on convenience. It’s widely available both online and in retail, with a clean, modern look that fits easily into a grocery cart. I’ve seen it at places like Costco and Whole Foods, which makes it easy to restock without thinking about it. Compared to BRĒZ, it’s much easier to repurchase casually, especially if you just want something reliable to keep on hand.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose BRĒZ if you want something that truly replaces alcohol. It makes sense if you’re comfortable with THC and CBD, want a noticeable shift in mood, and enjoy that botanical, cocktail-style flavor profile. For me, BRĒZ worked best when I was craving the feeling of having a drink, not just something to sip.
Choose Hiyo if staying sober is the priority. It’s better suited for subtle relaxation, everyday drinking, and situations where you want to stay clear-headed. If you care about organic ingredients, low sugar, and something you can reach for daily without overthinking it, Hiyo is the easier choice.
Final Thoughts
After spending real time with both, I don’t see BRĒZ and Hiyo as direct competitors so much as tools for different moments.
BRĒZ is what I reach for when I want to replace a drink and actually feel something shift. It’s intentional, mood-altering, and closer to a social ritual than a casual beverage. I treat it the same way I used to treat alcohol: occasionally, on purpose, and in the right setting.
Hiyo fits into everyday life. It’s easy, familiar, and supportive without demanding attention. I can drink it during the day, at a social event, or multiple days in a row without thinking twice.
If you’re deciding between the two, the question isn’t which one is better. It’s what you want from the moment you’re drinking it.
