Entry rules & compliance

Eligibility

General Eligibility

Products entered into America's Best Beverages must:

  • Be commercially produced and intended for sale in the United States.

  • Be available for retail or wholesale purchase by the public or trade at the time of judging, or scheduled for commercial launch within six months of judging.

  • Be submitted by the brand owner, manufacturer, importer, distributor, or an authorized representative.

  • Be entered into the category that best represents the product. America’s Best Beverages reserves the right to reassign entries to a more appropriate category when necessary.

  • Be submitted with all required entry information before the published deadline.

  • Arrive within the designated sample submission window to be eligible for judging.

Track Eligibility

Cannabinoid Track

Eligible products include beverages containing hemp-derived cannabinoids, including but not limited to:

  • THC

  • CBD

  • CBG

  • CBN

  • Minor cannabinoids

Products must:

  • Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Include accurate cannabinoid content labeling.

  • Provide a current Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an accredited third-party laboratory.

  • Meet all intake compliance requirements before being accepted into judging.

Products failing compliance review will not advance to judging. The operating plan specifies that COA verification and dose labeling are entry requirements completed at intake—not part of sensory judging.

Zero-Proof Track

Eligible products contain less than 0.5% ABV (or comply with the legal definition of non-alcoholic in their market).

Examples include:

  • Non-alcoholic beer

  • Non-alcoholic wine

  • Ready-to-drink mocktails

  • Aperitifs

  • Botanical spirits

  • Functional non-alcoholic cocktails

Products are judged on overall beverage quality and how successfully they deliver the intended drinking experience—not on the presence or absence of alcohol.

Functional Track

Eligible products are beverages formulated with ingredients intended to support a specific wellness function, such as:

  • Energy

  • Focus

  • Hydration

  • Relaxation

  • Gut health

  • Protein

  • Adaptogens

  • Nootropics

  • Electrolytes

  • Vitamins & minerals

Products may include:

  • Functional sodas

  • Protein beverages

  • Kombucha

  • Wellness shots

  • Botanical beverages

  • Enhanced waters

  • Sparkling functional beverages

Products are evaluated on beverage quality and how well the formulation supports a cohesive drinking experience—not on medical efficacy or health claims.