Mixing Up Creative Cannabis-Infused Drinks for Your Next Happy Hour

Edibles

Cannabis is a great way to pass the time with friends — and best of all, just as all your friends are unique, it’s possible to have strains or products that suit each of them. But have you thought outside the box? Weed edibles do not necessarily have to be food.

Cannabis-infused drinks can level up your next gathering with friends or family. With the versatility of strains, drink options, and even food pairings, you can create an encounter that suits just about anyone. Here are some tips to get you started.

The Basics: Starting Your Cannabis

If you’ve never infused anything with cannabis before, you might be a little intimidated about how to start. You can’t just put buds into a glass of wine — not only would that be decidedly unpleasant in texture, but it won’t get those appealing cannabinoids out of the marijuana, either.

You have multiple options when getting started. First, you could buy tinctures, oils, and other pre-made items from a dispensary. This route is the easiest, but it’s also the most limited. If you want a specific strain, you may be better off doing it yourself through a process called decarboxylation.

Decarboxylation activates the cannabinoid compounds in cannabis so they can offer their effects, such as psychoactive adjustments or profound relaxation.

In order to do this, the cannabis needs to be brought up to a high enough temperature that it produces certain acids (THCA and CBDA). You can do this by simmering the cannabis with sugar and water or even infusing it into an oil. It’s the decarboxylated cannabis compound that you want to include in your drinks.

Simple Drinks

So you’ve got your cannabis ready to infuse — but into what? One of the easiest ways to create cannabis-infused drinks is to buy something prepackaged: lemonade mix, margarita mix, or even hot cocoa pouches.

Consider the flavor profile of the strain you picked when deciding which drink to pair it with. A diesel-forward infusion would do better in a heavy, dark chocolate mixture than in a light tea, for instance.

Pairing and Courses

If you’d like to level up your infusion offerings, consider more complex drinks such as cocktails. You can even pair them with food to create thoughtful meals and courses for a full-on cannabis experience.

In general, your strategy for building drinks with cannabis should be the same as it is for any other cocktail:

1. Select your base, such as water or juice
2. Add the cannabis
3. Incorporate mixers that complement the flavor (syrups, alcohol, etc.)
4. Try garnishes, such as edible flowers or citrus wedges

Some Notes to Remember

Whether you are building your drinks from the ground up or simply grabbing something premade from the store and adding a little of your favorite strain, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Time

As with most types of edibles, cannabis-infused drinks tend to take longer to kick in than the high from smoking or vaping. Give yourself plenty of time to see how you feel before you down another glass.

Safety

It is always important to consume cannabis responsibly, and that goes for you and your friends. If you are inviting others over for a cannabis-friendly party, create a safe place where people can partake with minimal risks.

Clean up tripping hazards, and put away things that might catch fire if you decide to be creative with the meal prep!

Honesty

Above all, be honest about your infused drinks with friends. If you are preparing items for other people, disclose what strains you’re using and what you know about them. Are they CBD or THC forward? Where did you get them? How much did you use?

This information allows your friends to make informed decisions about what they consume, in what quantities, and how often. No one wants to feel sick, so keep the party going by giving everyone the information they need to have a great time.

Try Cannabis-Infused Drinks at Your Next Gathering!

Creativity is far from in short supply in the cannabis hobby, and new strains are constantly being created. But you don’t have to be a grower to be creative with marijuana!

Whether you are simply looking to treat yourself or you’d like to host a fun party for those close to you, cannabis-infused drinks and weed edibles can be a great way to share a space.

The budtenders at Pure Oasis can help you select strains that are ideal for your infused drink ideas. Stop by Pure Oasis’ dispensaries to check out the products we stock and ask any questions!