CBD + THC Cocktails + DIY CannaButter + CannaButter Washed Vodka
If you’ve been wondering how to safely incorporate CBD Oil, Tinctures, Cannabutter, and Hemp-Distilled Spirits into your cocktails, we’ve got your back, and the science to boot.
We’re proud to be featuring Summit Oils and Flora Hemp Spirits for their dedication to creating high-quality products!
CBD vs. THC: What’s the difference?
Interestingly, THC and CBD have the exact same molecular structure, but it’s how the atoms are arranged which accounts for the different psychoactive effects on the body.
While CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound that does not produce the “high” THC does, THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain and causes that sense of euphoria.
It should be noted that neither compound is fatal but we do recommend dosing responsibly, and we believe teenagers should stay away from THC altogether, as there are volumes of studies written about the negative effects on THC and the developing teenage brain.
For more information on CBD and THC, this site is super helpful.
In order to reap the benefits of the psychoactive chemicals of CBD and THC, you need heat, time, & atmosphere. I’ll cover that process for THC here, as I use it in my cocktail below.
Heat plays a crucial role in releasing a carboxyl group in raw cannabis that makes it psychoactive. Without heat, the THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) present in CBD and THC wouldn't do anything to help you feel the high.
Enter, decarboxylation.
The extra carboxyl ring that exists in the chemical structures are destroyed with heat and replaced with a hydrogen molecule.
This basically means that before you make edibles or Cannabutter you need to bake your buds to extract the psychoactive effects.
Baking your buds for 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit studies have shown you can reach the max THC for the strain you’re using. Recipe and more details here.
Making Cannabutter
I don’t fool around on this part.
The best recipe I’ve found is here on Leafly. Please also note they have a “Tips for dosing cannabutter,” in the bottom part of the article.
Please dose responsibly.
I use the slow cooker method and use a mini slow cooker called the Crock Pot Little Dipper, which gets between 160 - 170 degrees Fahrenheit and you can set it and forget it (it takes around 3 hours to make), without having to stand over a pot on the stove, or worry about scorching, or add water and have to drain and cool things later.
Weed is supposed to be chill, so make it as easy on yourself as possible!
If you don’t have time/patience to make Cannabutter, you can use Summit Oils CBD Oil as a replacement. You’ll get the relaxing benefits of CBD without the high you can get with the THC.
Washing Vodka with Cannabutter
This part isn’t pretty (see that gif?).
You’re going to pour 12 oz. vodka into the cannabutter mixture and gently stir.
Leave the mixture uncovered until cool and the butter has clumped together and risen to the top of the container.
Place mixture in freezer for about 30 minutes, then skim off the solids and strain.
The result is a vodka with a creamy mouthfeel and herbaceous nose.
You can keep the vodka in the fridge for about 2 weeks and please keep it labelled (the finished product is clear and looks like water).
CannaKrispie Treat Cocktail
As a kid, I loved Rice Krispie treats, and accidentally ate a whole one laced with Cannabutter at a party in college. The flavour combo was great: Creamy marshmallow with a bit of herbaceousness, and just the right amount of salt and nuttiness from the rice. This drink was created as a nod to the OG edible, and the Cannabutter-washed Vodka lends a creaminess and buttery undertow that makes it special.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Cannabutter-washed Vodka (see recipes above & alternative below!)*
2 Tbsp + 1 tsp. (+ more to taste) Marshmallow Syrup**
Small pinch of salt
Splash of dry Sake
Shake together the first three ingredients over ice (a long shake, around 15 seconds).
Strain into a glass and add a splash of sake. Garnish with a toasted marshmallow.
*If you don’t have time/patience to make Cannabutter-washed Vodka, you can substitute with 1 oz of Vodka and a full 500mg dose of Summit Oils CBD Oil.
**Use a kitchen scale. You’ll need equal grams of marshmallows and water dissolved together over low heat. No need to cool. Add it straight in with the other ingredients.
The Hacky Sack
Flora Hemp Spirit has a very bitter edge that begged for something with a darker sweetness and some astringency to showcase its piney notes. Some pungent ginger and a splash of lemon add more zest and pep to this rich drink.
Ingredients:
2oz. Flora Hemp Spirit
.5 oz. molasses
1 oz. grapefruit juice
Fresh Ginger
Lemon
Add the first three ingredients into a shaker and dry shake to incorporate the molasses.
Muddle in two thumbs of ginger and a wedge of lemon.
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain into a glass with a large ice cube.
This drink contains no alcohol, but if you were to keep that a secret, no one would know. Flora has been steam distilled and frankly the flavours are complex and the spirit has a lot of bite. Drank on its own, it’s almost too bitter, but this makes it perfect for mixing.
Word on the street is, Flora Hemp Spirits will be releasing more No-Proof Spirits in the future, taking on the flavours in whiskey!
