Variety is the spice of life, and it can be at the crux of your cannabis enjoyment.
Now—according to many legal, adult-use, recreational cannabis enthusiasts, there’s nothing akin to taking a big-old hearty drag off a joint or blunt. Others find immense joy in an intense rip from a dab rig or bong.
At the same time, other cannabis lovers swear by vaping. Many prefer edibles or take tinctures and dose them sublingually.
Still, even folks with their rituals and preferred ways of consuming cannabis enjoy switching things up.
There’s also the chance you’re looking for an easier-on-your-lungs method of consuming your cannabis. At the same time, you might be looking for an alternative to eating your cannabis.
Here’s where infusing your drink with cannabis can go a long way. You have the potential to control your dose (which can be difficult with edibles), and you don’t have to smoke or inhale vapor, keeping your lungs untouched.
Edibles and THC Cocktails In New Jersey
The sale of edibles in New Jersey is currently a complicated topic. While shelf-stable edibles are available, there are many restrictions placed on the sales of cannabis-infused food and drinks.
As such, there aren’t many options in the way of THC-based drinks in New Jersey. In fact, no single-serve cans are currently available in the state.
None of this means you can’t legally enjoy drinks infused with cannabis if you live in New Jersey. You can apply several techniques and methods to making cannabis-based beverages that offer an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Read on as we delve into how to infuse your drinks with cannabis:
Starting Things Simple: Infusing Tincture Into Your Drinks
This option is not very complicated. You don’t need to concern yourself with techniques other than whether you prefer your drink shaken or stirred.
With cannabis tinctures, it’s a matter of purchasing whichever one you prefer and using the dropper to dose whichever drink you’d like. You can put in tea, coffee, a smoothie, your soft drink, a Long Island Iced Tea—you name it. Then, voila, you’ve infused your drink with cannabis.
Tinctures are potent forms of cannabis, but the dropper allows you to control your dose, offering you freedom and precision as you infuse your drink with sweet, sweet cannabinoids.
Note that tinctures are available with a balance of THC and CBD (and other cannabinoids), meaning you can enjoy both a psychoactive and therapeutic experience.
Furthermore, conventional wisdom is that oil-based tinctures combine more seamlessly with beverages than standard alcohol-based tinctures. Check the labels of a tincture before purchasing it to see whether it’s oil or alcohol-based. If you can’t find your answer, ask your budtender for clarification.
Make Your Own THC Syrup
While it might be easier to dump your tincture into your beverage of choice, it’s not necessarily the best-tasting or most exciting option.
Yes—those who aren’t overly bothered by a drink with an aggressive cannabis taste won’t mind the more basic, straightforward method. However, those who appreciate things like mixology and complex notes would likely prefer syrup.
Typically, THC syrup combines water, sugar, and glycerine and resembles syrup you’d see in standard cocktails. It tastes delicious in any number of beverages, from a cocktail and mocktails to hot drinks like coffee and hot chocolate.
Unlike tinctures, THC syrup is meant for mixing, offering a superior taste and consistency (whereas tinctures are oily and separate from the drink) in all liquids. Plus, it’s not too hard to make at home if you have the following ingredients:
- Finely ground cannabis flow (1g): Select your preferred strain, weighing the flavor profile and desired potency.
- Granulated sugar (750g).
- Water (750ml) as a solvent.
- Vegetable glycerine (two tbsp) will thicken the syrup.
- Optional: Ginger, mint leaves, and lemon juice/zest.
You’ll also require a strainer/cheesecloth, pot/saucepan, jar or bottle (for storage), a baking tray, and baking paper.
Then, follow these directions (and tweak to make your own as you get more comfortable with the process):
- Set your oven to 110°C. Let it preheat while grinding your cannabis (ensure it’s not too fine). After lining your baking sheet with parchment paper, spread your ground cannabis onto it.
- Put the cannabis-lined baking sheet into the oven for 40 minutes—this will decarboxylate (activate) the THC. This stage is essential to ensuring your THC syrup gives you the psychoactive effects you’re seeking.
- Heat water and sugar in a saucepan together at medium to dissolve sugar entirely.
- After adding the decarbed cannabis to the saucepan, turn the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Incorporate the vegetable glycerine. Let it simmer for five to seven minutes longer.
- With your cheesecloth (or a fine strainer), eliminate all plant material since all the THC has been extracted. Dispose of the plant material.
- Store the filtered syrup in a mason jar or bottle. It can last up to a month in your fridge.
The Value Of Responsible Dosing
We cannot over-stress the importance of dosing with care when adding your tincture or THC syrup to your cannabis beverages.
Drinking decarbed cannabis is similar to dosing edibles, and having too intense of a dosage can prove perilous.
Be mindful that the suggested dosage of edibles or drinkables is—in one sitting—10mg of THC at most. Typically, beginners shouldn’t have more than 5mg. While more experienced edible enthusiasts enjoy higher doses, such a tolerance only develops with time and insight.
Visit Phasal For The THC Component Of Your Cannabis Drink Ingredients
Whether you simply plan on dumping your tincture into your drink or you want top-tier bud to decarboxylate for your THC syrup, Phasal Dispensary has premium cannabis products to suit your needs.
Moreover, our staff is highly knowledgeable and ready to answer your inquiries about cannabis beverages and how to make them successfully. Contact us today with any questions you have about cannabis-infused drinks, or visit our menu to see if we carry any products that suit your THC cocktail-based needs.