Legal marijuana is just around the corner for Canadians which means not only will you be able to recreationally buy bud, but you’ll also be able to experiment with new kinds of use cases, including cannabis cocktails.
Cannabis cocktails aren’t a new thing, they’ve been making the rounds in some US states for some time now, and they generally come in three different forms. First, there’s the infused alcohol type which generally sees a base like rum, vodka, gin or bourbon infused with cannabis bud. This process generally takes a few days of infusion and then the alcohol is used as it would in any normal cocktail.
Second, is a cocktail that has added Cannabidiol (CBD). These cocktails tend to feature low-THC level CBD and has been described as almost instantly improving your mood and increases an overall feeling of wellness.
Lastly there are the cocktails that omit alcohol entirely, and instead rely on a combination of CBD oil and infusion to create a cocktail that is entirely reliant on the effects of cannabis.
The effects of these cocktails will vary person to person, and of course will be dependent on the type of cannabis used in the process. To understand exactly what you’re getting to, you should consult with an expert prior to experimentation. But if you’re ready to see what the world of cannabis has to offer for cocktails, here are three options for each of the above methods.
Cannabis infused rum
There is a step-by-step process required to get the most out of infusion:
Ingredients:
- An eighth of decarboxylated marijuana
- Rum, 80 proof and above
- Mason jar
- Coffee filter or cheesecloth
Method:
- Bake the cannabis– Use a grinder to break apart the buds and spread them over aluminum foil or parchment paper on a baking sheet. Bake at 220 degrees Fahrenheit for 40-50 minutes. This decarboxylates the cannabis and activates all those cannabinoids.
- Combine the ingredients- Add the baked cannabis and the rum to a mason jar and shake to combine.
- Steep- The infusion will take time, up to one week. So keep the jar in a cool, dark place and let the infusion occur. Shaking the mixture daily.
- Filter- Using a cheesecloth or coffee filter, strain the infused rum back into the original bottle.
You now have a cannabis infused rum you can use in cocktails, like this Mai High.
Mai High
Ingredients:
- 2 oz infused rum
- 0.75 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Orange Curaçao
- 0.25 oz Rich Simple Syrup
- 0.25 oz Orgeat
- 1 Mint Sprig
Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Pour the entire contents into a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with the juiced lime half, cherry and a mint sprig.
CB-Tea
This southern style cocktail utilizes CBD oil rather than a straight alcohol infusion.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Peach Tea Whiskey
- 10-15 drops of high-grade CBD oil
- Fresh mint
- Fresh lemonade to top
Method: In a Collins or other 12 oz glass, combine mint with Peach Tea Whiskey and muddle. Add the CBD oil, fresh ice, and top off with lemonade. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
Malibu Mule
This cocktail eliminates alcohol entirely and requires you to make a cannabis infused syrup as a substitute.
Cannabis simple syrup:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable glycerin
- 2 grams cannabis
Method: Bring the water to a boil. Put in your finely chopped cannabis, add your sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cover the pot and let it boil for 20 minutes. Reduce the temperature to medium and then add the glycerin. Let it simmer for 5-6 minutes, and stir it every minute. Then strain, and let it chill. It should measure out about 3 cups of Cannabis Syrup.
For the cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 2 oz cannabis syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
- 0.5 oz ginger syrup
- Club soda
Method: Combine all ingredients except the club soda, in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to combine and pour into a copper mug filled with ice. Top with club soda and add a sprig of mint as garnish.
Ale/Sessions 