First of all, it’s important to note that if you are consuming a cannabis infused drink, you will not get as high as if you were smoking cannabis. When you drink alcohol, your liver breaks down the THC (the compound in marijuana that gets you high) at a much faster rate.
A few other differences that make cannabis infused drinks stand out are:
- They are made from extracts of the cannabis plant – Most alcohols can be found in nature, but cannabis infused drinks are a mixture that is made by combining traditional alcoholic drinks with cannabis extracts.
- The experience– While both cannabis infused drinks and alcoholic drinks produce a slight euphoria, many people report they feel relaxed and enjoy themselves. It takes more volume to get high on weed drinks than it does to get drunk on alcohol.
- The way you make them – Cannabis infused drinks are made by combining cannabis extract with a liquid, while alcoholic drinks are distilled from fermented grains.
- The amount they contain – Alcoholic beverages have different levels of alcohol content in them, but weed drinks are all pretty much 5% unless you go out of your way to make something very potent.
Types of Weed Drinks and What You Should Consider Before Drinking Them
There are many different types of weed drinks to choose from. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular marijuana infused drinks today.
Champagne-Marijuana champagne is the perfect drink for celebrating a special occasion, like a wedding or New Year’s eve. Champagne is bubbly and delicious, and there’s always a great excuse to pop some bottles! There are many different brands of cannabis champagne on the market today that you can choose from.
Cannabis Wine-Cannabis wine is another option if you’re looking for a great tasting drink infused with marijuana. Cannabis wine comes in many popular varieties and can be delicious paired with pasta or meat dishes. There are white and red wine varieties infused with cannabis available on the market today. Choose one of your favorite varieties and be prepared to have a little different type of experience!
Marijuana Drinks-Many types of cannabis infused beverages are available at a local dispensary near by. Cannabis infused drinks and elixirs come in flavors like lemonade and strawberry lemonade, making them great for summertime refreshment! Cannabis infused beers come in light and dark varieties and it’s possible to enjoy your favorite type of beer without any alcohol.
Basic Drink Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Vintage Cannabis Cocktails
Here are some basic drink recipes for non-alcoholic vintage cannabis cocktails. Cannabis cocktails are perfect for the bar at your next house party or even at a wedding if you live in a state that has legalized marijuana. Make sure you have a trained bartender with experience to make marijuana drinks.
Here’s one easy and fun recipe to try if you’re ready to experiment:
- Place apple juice, ginger ale, two drops of cannabis tincture or oil and ice into a blender.
- Mix until well blended (30 seconds or so).
- Pour over ice into a tall glass.
The top will be a little foamy, so add a slice of strawberry, orange or lime to garnish. You can also add ground ginger to garnish the top of the glass for a little zesty and spicy kick (½ tsp or so should do it)
Quick Methods for Setting up a Cannabis Coffee Bar at Home
Setting up your cannabis coffee bar at home is a great way to entertain family and friends with cannabis infused beverages. Adding one drop of cannabis oil or tincture to each drink will be all that is needed.
The first step in setting up your coffee shop is choosing the right equipment. Coffee brewing can be done using flavored or regular coffee grounds, an espresso machine, or coffee pods.
Brew your own coffee- You can use either regular-brewed or espresso coffee. Add two tablespoons of ground coffee beans to 6 ounces of hot water to make regular-brewed coffee. Let the mixture steep for 4 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a mug.
Espresso machine-An espresso machine is the best way to brew espresso-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes. Espresso machines are more expensive than other methods of brewing coffee, but they are quicker and produce better quality coffee with a smoother texture than other methods.
Coffee pods-Coffee pods are small plastic containers that contain ground coffee beans. They’re easy to use and can be used with most regular drip coffeemakers. Pod coffee makers usually make a single serving cup of coffee.
Once you’ve brewed your coffee, add a drop of cannabis tincture while preparing the other additions to the drink, like steamed milk, flavor syrup, bitters, spices, ice or even sprinkling shaved chocolate on top. The cannabis will mix with the other flavors flawlessly. The coffee flavor is very potent and will likely not make it nearly impossible to taste the cannabis infusion added to the drink.
Cannabis Infused Drinks are Growing in Popularity
The world of cannabis infused drinks is still new and exciting, and more research and development happening to develop new drinks is happening throughout the cannabis industry. Cannabis infused beer, elixirs and wine are all becoming increasingly available in regions that have legalized cannabis use.
If you’re curious, you can try making your cannabis cocktail at home by combining classic spirits like vodka or rum with marijuana-infused butter, oil or tinctures. Or make your own cannabis oil with cannabis flower and you will be able to infused your drinks with the type of cannabis strain you find most pleasurable.
Finding the right cannabis tincture or oil is as easy as visiting a cannabis dispensary near you. At Vibe by California cannabis dispensary, you can choose from over 500+ cannabis products and are sure to find just the right strain of cannabis for the perfect cannabis infused drinks.