I may be preaching to the choir here, but to my mind, cannabis drinks are weed 2.0. Now, I am not saying that there isn’t going to be plenty of room for flower, vapes, topicals, edibles and all other manner of cannabis craft, but I am saying that we are just seeing the beginning of cannabis beverages. Let me tell you, the future looks dope.
With the heavy drinking of the pandemic subsiding and a general interest in health and wellness being top of mind, drinking your daily dose is something many people are curious about.
I have been in the beverage biz for a long time, and I am so excited to share some DOs when it comes to experimenting with drinking your canna.
Tinctures are going to be the absolute best way to emulsify (a fancy word for mixing) your cannabis into a drink. Tinctures are predominantly made with a high-proof neutral grain spirit or brandy and maintain the integrity of the plant beautifully. If, for whatever reason, consuming alcohol doesn’t work for you, you can use oil as the carrier, but it is best mixed with another fatty product like coconut or other milks so it adheres and doesn’t separate.
Put your hand up if you have ever eaten too much weed (all hands raise). Not a good time. Drinking your cannabis and eating it are absorbed into the body in a similar fashion, so take it easy and wait between drinks. Ingesting by way of edibles and beverages has come a long way since your friend’s aunt’s hash brownies back in the day, but ease and respect is always recommended.
One of my absolute favorite ways to keep cannabis on hand for mixing up drinks is to make a syrup. If you grow your own, keep the leaves and stems and make some! The easiest recipe is one part water, one part sugar (coconut sugar is a great alternative to cane) and some shake. Chop up the plant matter, and bring it to a boil with the sugar and water. Reduce and simmer until a lovely green/brown hue has emerged. Strain and TEST! You want to know how strong it is before you do mixing it into your next creation.
There are so. many. ways you can drink cannabis. Make a tea, make a salty rim for virgin Palomas with finely dried dust. Use tinctures, oils, infusions. There is a whole new world out there waiting to be discovered!
I love creating beauty and potions for increasing joy and quality of life. Follow my work @statebelevate or @thekellyannwoods for more fun and exciting content. In the meantime, here is a great signature recipe to get you started.
1 tsp granulated sugar of choice
3 cherry tomatoes
1 “spanked” handful of fresh basil
Cannabis tincture (to taste)
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Club soda
In a tall glass, add sugar, tomatoes, and basil. Drop your desired amount of cannabis tincture (I’m a five dropper myself!) and muddle. If you don't have a muddler on hand, get one! Or just use the end of a wooden spoon. Once everything looks happy and smushy, add the lemon juice. Add ice and top with a splash of club soda.
Tip: Make sure you stir adequately and pull up all of the ingredients up from the bottom of the glass to create an even consistency in the drink.
