A cannabis-infused mocktail

By Christina Wong

blackberry lime and lavendar drink — Photo credit Fruit + Flower Co.

Making cannabis drinks at home is easy once you master the basics! Give this floral and fruity, refreshing cannabis drink a try, and pair it with a strain high in linalool to enhance lavender’s effects. I did the math for you to make cannabis a tincture and simple syrup at home. If making the cannabis part feels overwhelming, deploy the easy button: Buy cannabis-infused sugar or honey from your local dispensary and dose according to instructions.

Blackberry Lavender Collins Cannabis Mocktail

DOSING: Makes one THC cocktail. 1 tablespoon of infused simple syrup contains ~5 mg THC. Approximately 1.75 grams of cannabis flower (20% THC). Double-check the math if your cannabis % THC is different.

To increase potency, simply increase the amount of cannabis flower and multiply to desired amount. For example, to make a 20 mg THC cocktail, multiply the amount of flower x4.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon (½ oz.) cannabis-infused lavender simple syrup (recipe follows)
1 oz. lime juice
3-4 blackberries
5-6 oz. carbonated sparkling water
a couple lavender sprigs, for garnish
ice

cannabis-infused lavender simple syrup – makes ½ cup

2 teaspoons cannabis tincture (recipe follows)
½ cup sugar
½ water
1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers

cannabis tincture – makes ¼ cup

1.75 grams cannabis flower (~20% THC), coarsely ground
¼ cup grain alcohol, or substitute 100 proof or higher vodka (alcohol is evaporated and cooked off)

DIRECTIONS:

1. The day before, make cannabis tincture: Preheat the oven to 240°F. Place 1.75 grams of coarsely ground cannabis flower into a small half-pint 8 oz. mason jar, seal with the lid to reduce smell, and heat for 40 minutes in the oven to decarb, which activates the THC. Remove from the oven and let cool until the mason jar is safe to touch. The ground flower will look lightly toasted. Pour ¼ cup of grain alcohol or 100-proof vodka into the mason jar, close the lid and shake hard to combine. Set aside and let the mixture sit overnight.

The next day: Shake the mason jar mixture and pour the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into another small mason jar, straining out the ground flower and reserving the liquid. Discard the grounds and label the jar: “1/4 teaspoon = 5 mg THC.” This cannabis tincture makes 48 servings. Set aside and shake well before each use.

2. Make cannabis-infused lavender simple syrup: Shake the jar of cannabis tincture and combine 2 teaspoons (not Tablespoon) of the cannabis tincture, sugar, water and lavender in a small pot over low heat. Once it’s boiling, simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol and reduce to 1/2 cup of liquid. Strain out the lavender flowers with a sieve into a clean jar, and label: “1 tablespoon = ~5 mg THC”. Makes 8 servings — 1/2 cup of lavender simple syrup. Set aside and store for up to a month.
3. Mix the cocktail: In a tall glass, add 3 blackberries (reserving one for garnish), lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of cannabis-infused lavender simple syrup. Muddle the ingredients until the blackberries and juices are mixed together. Add ice, pour sparkling water into the glass, and stir to combine. Garnish with a blackberry, lime wedge, and sprig of lavender.

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