When the temperatures dip, it is nice to reach for a hot beverage to enjoy. That warm, toasty feeling takes on a new level of comfort if you are preparing cannabis-infused hot beverages. There are so many ways to consume medical cannabis at home, but making your own THC-infused beverages is one easy way to change up your intake method and achieve the same relief.
Cannabinoids are not very soluble, but they can still be added to a variety of different foods and beverages with good results. From apple cider to coffee, tea, and hot cocoa, there are many different tastes to explore. The best part is that you may already have everything you need and all-natural ingredients in your kitchen right now to make your own hot THC-infused beverages.
What Do You Need to Create Cannabis-Infused Beverages?
There are three different preparation methods you can use to create cannabis-infused beverages (hot or cold) at home. It really just depends on how much time you want to spend in the kitchen or if you prefer the easiest route.
1. Decarboxylated Cannabis
A friendly reminder that unless you activate the THC in cannabis flower, extra fiber will be the only benefit you get from making your own infused beverage. If you want to use raw cannabis to make beverages at home, there is a simple process to activate the cannabinoids so that you get the psychoactive and physical effects of THC.
To decarboxylate your cannabis flower takes just a few steps:
- Preheat your oven to 240°F.
- Use scissors to cut up the cannabis flower into smaller pieces.
- Place the cannabis on a parchment paper-lined baking tray.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the flower has a golden, toasted color.
Make sure you do not keep the cannabis in the oven too long, as you can burn it, which will alter the flavor. Overheated cannabis also loses valuable cannabinoid (THC and CBD) content.
Choose the Best Strain
Take time to choose the strain you want carefully. It is not necessary to use a high-potency strain, and a little goes a long way. A cannabis strain that has high cannabidiol content (CBD) may help with anxiety and pain symptoms, as CBD can be a powerful anti-inflammatory.
2. Using a Cannabis Tincture
Don’t want to mess around in the kitchen? No problem! A cannabis tincture is the fastest and easiest way to make a THC-infused beverage. You can skip the preparation and simply add the desired amount to any hot beverage you choose.
One thing to consider is the flavor of the tincture you purchase. For example, if you normally use a peppermint-flavored tincture, that might pair well with coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. But citrus-flavored tinctures may not taste as good in some non alcoholic beverages. Choose your flavor wisely.
If you are making a single serving, such as a cup of infused hot cocoa, follow the directions on the label for the correct amount of tincture to add to your cup. If you are making a larger amount of the hot beverage, adjust the amount of cannabis tincture accordingly.
3. Creating a Cannabis Simple Syrup
Making a simple syrup could not be, well, more simple. One of the best parts of making a simple syrup is that it stores well. In an airtight container in the refrigerator, you can keep your cannabis simple syrup for up to four weeks. It will be ready to go whenever you want to infuse your hot beverage.
If you are in the mood for a quick and easy THC-infused beverage, having a jar of cannabis simple syrup in the fridge allows you to enjoy a drink whenever you want one, with minimal preparation time.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sugar, stevia, or sugar substitute.
- 1 cup of water.
- 1 gram of decarboxylated cannabis flower.
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin.
You can flavor your cannabis simple syrup however you choose by adding fresh mint, orange zest or citrus juice, vanilla extract, or honey. The best time to add flavoring is after you have simmered your syrup on low heat.
Directions:
- Combine the water and sweetener in a saucepan, and heat the mixture on medium heat until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Stir in the portion of decarboxylated cannabis flower you have prepared, and simmer it on low heat setting for thirty minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the saucepan from the stovetop and add the vegetable glycerin. At this time, you can add any flavors or extracts you choose. Allow the flavorings to simmer for approximately ten minutes.
Cannabis is light sensitive, and you do not want your THC-infused simple syrup to absorb any other flavors from your refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container that is amber or dark-hued to protect the cannabinoid content of your syrup.
When you have your finished cannabis simple syrup, you can add it to anything from baked goods like cookies, as a dessert or ice cream topping, or to any alcohol-free hot or cold beverage. It doesn’t take long to make your own cannabis simple syrup, and it adds a little something extra when it comes to comfort when you want to relax and unwind at home.
How to Offset a Strong Cannabis Flavor
Some strains of cannabis are dank in terms of scent but may also have a dominant flavor that you may not want in your THC-infused beverages. If you are using decarboxylated flower, consider using dry flower instead of sticky bud to reduce any unpleasant flavors.
Adding brown sugar to a cannabis simple syrup may cut down some of the natural plant flavors and make for a sweet holiday drink. A cinnamon stick is another great way to alter the flavor of your beverage. If you are making cannabis cocktails to drink, citrus is also a good way to reduce any dank flavors.
Don’t forget that some cannabis tinctures can also have a strong herbal taste. Spice things up by adding complimentary ingredients and favorite flavors to your THC-infused beverage
Cannabis Infused Warm Drinks You Can Try at Home
Cannabis and hot beverages make a great combination, and you have so many choices when it comes to making an infused drink. Just remember to adjust the dose accordingly and try to avoid mixing alcohol with cannabis cocktails.
Here are some suggestions of delicious hot beverages you can infuse at home:
Hot or Mulled Apple Cider
If you never use your crockpot for anything, you may just take it out of storage to create your own cannabis-infused apple cider. When the temperatures dip a little, or you plan to stay home and chill out, sipping some infused cider can be a great alternative to traditional medical cannabis intake methods.
Check out this recipe from Westword.
Adding cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom to your mixture will elevate it from hot apple cider to mulled and spicy, which is perfect for the holiday season!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Nothing tastes better than real homemade hot chocolate with a few decadent marshmallows on top. But if you don’t feel like standing over the stove, you can quickly make a cup of instant powdered cocoa, too. Some dispensaries may also carry powdered pre-mix that requires no work at all.
For infused hot chocolate, adding a dose of tincture to your cup is easy. You can also break out the cannabis simple syrup to make it extra sweet and tasty. Head over to Leafly for some tips on making your own cannabis cocoa from scratch.
Extra Herbal Tea
There is tea, herbal tea, and extra herbal tea when you are infusing it with cannabis. If you usually drink loose-leaf tea, you can add decarboxylated cannabis into your favorite mix. For the holiday season, you can explore all the delicious spicy chai, ginger, and other organic teas that contain high levels of natural terpenes.
Marijuana Macha
If basic herbal tea isn’t exciting enough for you, upgrade to make a satisfying marijuana matcha, which is a tea latte. It’s also known as London fog tea, and it’s easy to make when you want to settle in for an evening of relaxation and relief.
Check out this cannabis and matcha tea latte recipe from Thrillist.
Cannabis Mulled Wine
If you have a crock pot, creating your own cannabis mulled wine is a piece of cake. You don’t have to drink it hot! After you have prepared it, you can transfer it to a bottle and sip it at your leisure.
There are alcohol-free wines available if you choose. Simply purchase a bottle and pour it into your crock pot. Next, take some decarboxylated cannabis, use a tea diffuser (wire mesh container), and drop it in. Or you can tie up a bundle of cannabis in cheesecloth, which allows you to “wring out” the extra cannabinoids when the simmering is done.
To make your cannabis mulled wine, add cloves, freshly squeezed orange juice, cardamom, ground cinnamon (or sticks), and nutmeg. Creating mulled wine is a great way to use up any cannabis stems or trim you have. You can also stir in kief to add more cannabinoids to your mulled wine.
Store the wine in your fridge (if there are any leftovers!). Before drinking, make sure to agitate the bottle to diffuse the mixture. Enjoy!
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.