Hosting a party with cannabis-infused drinks is a really fun, complementary option for any bar. It can also be a stand-alone option as a replacement to a traditional alcoholic bar. I like to create a few drinks on a menu to make it easy for guests, but it’s also nice to have an option for your guests to make their own concoction.
For a drink base, I have a good supply of soda water on hand. Kombucha and sparkling lemonade are wonderful options as well. Next, I like to make fresh, seasonal simple syrups using fruit and herbs that are reminiscent of the season. Strawberry basil is absolutely luscious in summer time and pear ginger is warming and festive in the fall.
Lastly, you can choose your tincture based on the mood of the drink. If you want something aromatic and complex, you might opt for a canna-bitters with its earthy, pungent tones. Humboldt Apothecary “Brain Tonic” is another favorite of mine for cannabis cocktails, as the bright notes of rosemary are an excellent complement to citrus.
When making a Cannabis drink, it’s important to be aware of how many cannabinoids you are administering. If it’s an experienced user, you can splash in a couple of droppers full, while with a novice user, you might start with half of a dropper of tincture, or the equivalent of 2-3 mg of cannabinoids per drink. Remember, that most people will probably have more than one! Alcohol tinctures work best as they will readily dissolve into the drink matrix, making the drink smooth and palatable. Oil tinctures will offer a different kind of sensory experience, as the consumer will have the opportunity to really taste the tincture as a distinct note in the drink.
Finally, I top off my cannabis cocktail with a fresh garnish to enhance the aesthetic appeal and add a twist of something fresh. Some of my favorites are fresh mint, slices of citrus, or pieces of fruit. And voila, you have an elegant, healthy drink that is tasty and offers a great alternative to an alcohol-based drink.
Drink Ideas:
-Tyme Collins–
Lemon Kombucha
Tyme simple syrup
Fresh lime
tincture of choice
Garnish with a lime
–Apple Mojito–
Apple Kombucha
Mint
Lime
Splash of bitters
Tincture of choice
Garnish with mint sprig
–Citrus, Rosewater, and Mint Sparklet—
Fresh Squeezed orange and grapefruit juice
Muddled mint
A splash of rosewater
A sparkling water floater
Tincture of choice
Mint garnish
Author Bio: Gillian Levy is the co-founder of Humboldt Apothecary, a women-owned Cannabis tincture business in the heart of Humboldt County. She and her business partner, Susan Cleverdon, created Humboldt Apothecary with a vision of crafting Cannabis based products that could target and support healing and wellness for a variety of conditions. Gillian and Susan have used their love and knowledge of medicinal herbs to formulate blends of plants that synergize well with Cannabis to create maximum therapeutic benefits. The company has a commitment to using only the highest quality, most environmentally sustainable ingredients. They support organic practices and small farmers to deliver products that are safe, effective, ethical and truly vibrant.
Gillian is also a mother of two teens, as well as a botanist, herbalist, and Cannabis advocate. She likes to empower people to take charge of their own health holistically, and believes that Cannabis can be one of the best tools to facilitate that. She enjoys speaking, teaching, and writing about the benefits of Cannabis and how it can be incorporated into a daily lifestyle practice to minimize stress, pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other common challenges that we struggle with. She hopes to foster the understanding that we all possess the tools for deep healing, no matter the challenges we face, and that the practice of empowering ourselves through knowledge and taking care of our bodies can be truly inspirational for our own personal growth and well being. When Gillian is not at work, she enjoys hot yoga, hiking, cooking for her kids, traveling the world, and being outside in beautiful places.
You can follow Humbolt Apothecary on Instagram at @humboltapothecary
