Sip On These Cannabis-Infused Summer Cocktails This Season

Looking for a cool, refreshing drink to elevate the good vibes this summer? Summer cocktails can do the trick, but for some, they’re not worth the literal headache that may come later. Considering daily cannabis use has now surpassed daily alcohol consumption, it’s time to shift the summer drink landscape with the help of cannabis-infused summer cocktails. 

While we are calling them cocktails, none of these drinks contain alcohol. We chose the term over mocktails because they still produce an intoxicating effect. Regardless, they are fruity, refreshing, and perfect for a summer picnic, poolside with friends, reading a book on the porch during sunset, and so much more. 

Notes On These Summer Cannabis Cocktail Recipes

These drinks all utilize cannabis tinctures for an easy infusion. Tinctures over immense versatility, allowing you to adjust the dosage and cannabinoid content based on your preferences. If you want to make a potent, intoxicating drink, opt for tinctures with high THC content. If you’re looking for something more mild, opt for a balanced ratio of THC and CBD. Don’t want to get high from your drink but prefer a mild, relaxed effect? Go for a CBD tincture. 

Since all of these beverages are fruit-based, you can use most fruit-flavored cannabis tinctures with success. But if you want to play it safe and make sure your flavors don’t clash, go for a neutral, unflavored cannabis tincture. While it may taste more earthy, the rest of the ingredients will mask most of the cannabis flavor. 

Spicy Pineapple Express 

If you like a little kick in your drinks, you’ll love this fruity pineapple cannabis cocktail.

Here’s what you need for two servings:

• ½ cup orange juice 
• ½ cup pineapple juice, fresh or canned
• 1 bottle/can ginger beer
• 1 lime, squeezed
• ¼ cup diced jalapenos
• Desired dose of cannabis tincture
• Optional: simple syrup and fresh pineapple slices

Steps:

• Add the orange juice, pineapple juice, squeezed lime, jalapenos, and desired dose of cannabis tincture to a cocktail shaker with ice. 
• Shake vigorously. 
• Pour the contents of the cocktail shaker into two glasses over ice. 
• Top each glass off with half a bottle or can of ginger beer. 
• Taste the mixture. If you think it needs a little more sweetness, gently stir in small amounts of simple syrup to taste. 
• Optional: garnish each glass with a slice of fresh pineapple

High Hibiscus Cooler 

This cannabis cocktail is inspired by Martha Stewart’s Hibiscus Honey Iced Tea recipe. The result is a sweet, refreshing beverage that tastes like summer. 

Here’s what you need for four servings:

• 3 hibiscus tea bags 
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup fresh lime juice
• Desired dose of cannabis tincture 

Steps:

• In a heatproof pitcher or saucepan, add the tea bags and honey to 3 cups of boiling water. Allow the ingredients to steep for about five minutes. 
• Remove the tea bags.
• Add the lime juice and 2 cups of cold water. 
• If using a saucepan, transfer the mixture to a pitcher once appropriately cooled down. 
• Add desired dose of cannabis tincture and stir the mixture vigorously until well incorporated. 
• Place in the refrigerator to chill. 
• Serve over ice. 

Blended Marijuana-rita

A blended margarita is a summer classic. This twist on the old favorite is sure to be a big hit. 

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Here’s what you need for two servings:

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 lime, squeezed 
• 3 tbsp honey 
• ½ cup frozen fruit of choice (try mango, strawberry, raspberry, or any other fruit)
• 3 cups crushed ice 
• Desired dose of cannabis tincture
• Sea salt for glass rims 

This recipe is a breeze. Just add all of the ingredients except for the salt to a blender and let the magic happen. Feel free to add extra splashes of orange juice if it needs a little more liquid. Be sure to save what’s left of the lime for salting the rim. 

Cover a small plate with a layer of salt. Now, use what’s left of the squeezed lime to moisten the rim of your glasses. Once moistened, dip the rim of the glass into the plate to cover the moistened rim with salt. 

Pour your blended drink into each glass and enjoy.

READ: A Change of Pace: Infusing Your Meals With Cannabis

What to expect from a cannabis cocktail  

Assuming you choose to use a tincture with THC, you can expect your cannabis cocktail to work just like any cannabis beverage or edible. Effects may take place anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours and can last for several hours. If you use a fast-acting tincture, you can expect effects to come on even quicker. 

Be sure to follow the dose guidelines on the tincture of your choice. Each product is unique and the best way to gauge how potent the drink will be is to follow the dosage guidelines specific to your product. 

If you’re not used to drinking your cannabis, make sure you allow plenty of time to see how the drink affects you. Don’t mix up a cannabis cocktail before you have any obligations, as you may end up higher than expected. Make sure the same warning is given to any friends who may be drinking with you to avoid any negative experiences. 

If you’re not sure how the tincture will affect you, start low and go slow. You can always make a second drink with more tincture, but you can’t undo ingesting too much at once. Leave ample time between each drink to see how you are feeling if you decide to drink a second, as well. 

Cannabis may not cause hangovers like alcohol does, but you might still find yourself feeling bad if you spend too much time out in the sun sipping on cannabis drinks. Be sure to hydrate with plenty of water if you’re consuming cannabis on a hot summer day. 

With all that said, enjoy these summer drinks and have fun!