Review: Strawberry Lemonade Shot by CQ
One category poised to explode in size this year is cannabis beverages, especially in under represented markets such as Illinois. Infused beverages are difficult to create without a professional-level production facility, and it’s nice to see Illinois offer something consumers truly can’t make at home. Contract Canna, an Illinois social equity infuser, has brought CQ drinks to the Prairie State, and I picked up one of the Strawberry Lemonade shots to see what the buzz was about.
CQ Strawberry Lemonade is a 25mg, 2.2 oz “shot” that can be taken straight or mixed into another beverage. The bottle has a visibility window on the side marked in 5mg increments and the cap serves as a 1.25mg-dosing cup.

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Straight from the bottle, CQ Strawberry Lemonade packed a punch of sweet and sour that reminded me of strawberry Sour Patch Kids candy with the front-end pucker paving the way for a sugary finish of artificial strawberry. I added the other half of my shot to an unflavored soda water, subduing the heavy hitting flavor into a mellow kiss of strawberry sweetness, similar to a La Croix seltzer.
I never detected even a hint of “cannabis” flavor. CQ Strawberry Lemonade really seemed to “enhance” what it was added to without overpowering the other flavors making the mixing opportunities endless.
One of the reasons cannabis infused beverages have become so popular is that the effects are much faster acting than their solid counterparts, and the CQ Strawberry Lemonade shot was no exception. What’s usually a 45-minute wait for effects was cut down to only 15 minutes. When mixed into my seltzer, there was a bit more delay, but the onset was still faster than a traditional edible.
A calm stillness wiped the day’s worries from my mind and a boost of clearheaded energy overcame me, surprising for any edible. The body effects manifested as a sense of lightness and my joints were relieved of some pressure I wasn’t previously aware of. I’m happy to see consumer choices expanding with options like this CQ Strawberry Lemonade. For more Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.
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FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.
Effects & Medical Attributes are based on anecdotal evidence. Individual experiences can be varied.