The night is young, the vibe check has been passed, and now you’re looking for the perfect elixir to elevate your evening. While traditional booze-and-mixer cocktails have been the go-to party drink for many celebrants over the generations, there’s a new twist on this tried and true formula-making wave on the party scene: CBD-infused cocktails.
Many people already know that cannabis-derived drinks containing CBD are a great substitute for beers and mixed drinks when you’re rolling up to the party but want to avoid intoxication and hangovers. However, that’s not quite what we’re talking about in this post. This one goes out to people who like their cocktails and spirits just fine but want to take things up a notch with the addition of high-quality CBD.
Imagine sipping on a refreshing CBD-infused margarita featuring your favorite top-shelf tequila while you chat with friends at your annual Cinco de Mayo get-together or raising a toast with a glass of sparkling CBD sangria the next time you get together with your core group to celebrate a wedding or other occasion, or perhaps a CBD rum and cola on a hot summer night as your favorite music pulses in the background.
This delightful union combines the relaxing properties of CBD with the spirited essence of alcohol to create a unique experience: one with a buzz that is simultaneously mellow and uplifting.
What Kind of CBD Extract (and Other Ingredients) Do I Use for Making CBD Cocktails?
Just like the quality of the alcohol matters, to get the best results from your CBD cocktail recipes, the quality of the CBD you use matters as well. We recommend using our Broad Spectrum or Full Spectrum CBD tinctures for best results. Most drinks will use ½ a dropper’s worth (.50 ml) to 1 full dropper (1 ml), but we always suggest you use a dose you’re comfortable with.
Note that these are not water-based oils, however, the alcohol helps break down some of the oil’s stickiness and viscosity, but you may still want to consider using a tool like a battery-operated milk foamer/coffee stirrer to pre-blend the CBD oil and alcohol before combining them with ice and cold mixers that will “slow down” the oil even further. An affordable handheld version of this tool can be found in the coffee section of most large grocery stores or on Amazon here: Powerful Milk Frother.
Now that we’ve addressed the main ingredient, here are some notes on other key recurring items in our recipes:
- Tequila and Rum – We recommend a high-end gold tequila or spiced rum for more complex flavors, while a simple silver/white option is great for crowd-pleasing drinks on a budget.
- Whiskey – Just like your favorite cannabis strain, the “right” whiskey is often a deeply personal matter. Blended Canadian whiskies offer a delicious mellowness and modest price point that are accessible to any drinker while still offering bite and complexity, while your high-end scotches and ryes are best reserved for recipes you’ve already mastered.
- Citrus Juices – Fresh juice is best when it’s available, but juices from concentrate and sweetened bar products also work in any of these recipes.
- Simple Syrup – Simple syrup is typically made with a 1 to 1 ratio of water and sugar. If you’re going to be experimenting with a lot of different cocktails, consider preparing a large batch and keeping it in the fridge.
Classic Cocktails With a CBD Twist
Let’s start by looking at a few of our favorite go-to drinks that can be easily enhanced with a few drops of high-quality edible CBD extract.
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CBD-Infused Margarita
Description
The classic marg can be mixed with CBD for an uplifting twist well suited to your fiestas of all types.
Makes: 1 Serving
Ingredients
- 2 oz your preferred tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- ½ oz orange liqueur (e.g., triple sec)
- ½ t agave syrup (simple syrup or corn syrup also work as sweetening agents if agave is unavailable, or skip the sweetener and double the lime juice for a sour take)
- ½ t (or your preferred dose) of food-grade CBD extract
- Salt and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients together with ice (alternatively, blend to slush in a food processor).
- Strain (or pour slush) into a salt-rimmed glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Enjoy!
Rum and Coke and CBD
Description
The Rum and Coke is another classic cocktail that can be easily enhanced with a little CBD.
Makes: 1 Serving
Ingredients
- 2 oz of your preferred rum
- 4–6 oz of your preferred cola soft drink
- ½ t (or your preferred dose) of food-grade CBD extract
- Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
All you’ll need to do is pour your ingredients over ice and give it a stir.
CBD Whiskey Sour
Description
The intense and complex flavors of a whiskey sour make it a great cocktail for hiding the taste of CBD extracts. We’ll be doing a simple homemade sour mix with lemon juice and sweetener, but an even easier version can be made with a commercially prepared sour mix, available at just about any liquor store.
Makes: 1 Serving
Ingredients
- 2 oz your preferred whiskey
- 1 oz lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- ½ t (or your preferred dose) of food-grade CBD extract
- Orange slices and cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Shake together all liquid ingredients.
- Strain over a glass with ice.
- Garnish with orange slices and a cherry.
- Enjoy!
Innovative CBD Party Concoctions
Now that we understand how to boost our favorite go-to cocktails with a CBD infusion easily, let’s move on to mastering some more innovative recipes that put CBD at the forefront rather than adding it as an afterthought.
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Sparkling CBD Sangria
Description
The complex and fruity flavors of a good Sangria make it an excellent palette for adding hempy notes of CBD to the mix. Try this sparkling CBD spritzer for spring and summer functions.
Makes: Multiple servings (one average-sized pitcher)
Ingredients
- 1 bottle wine of your choice
- ¼ c orange liqueur (e.g., triple sec)
- ¼ c brandy
- 1 c mixed fruits (oranges and strawberries are usually great options, but just about any combination of sliced fruits and mixed berries can work well.)
- 3–5 t food-grade CBD extract
- Sparkling water
Instructions
- Combine alcoholic ingredients, mixed fruits, and CBD in a pitcher; stir gently.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Top with sparkling water before serving. Canned, flavored seltzer drinks can also be used to add an additional note of flavor to your sparkling CBD sangria.
- Enjoy!
CBD Lavender Lemonade
Description
Lavender and other edible florals are enjoying a big moment in the world of craft cocktails. Hop on the trend with this DIY lavender lemonade that is as easy to make as it is refreshing while still being tantalizing to even the most refined taste buds.
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz lavender syrup
- Prepare by simmering dried, edible lavender in simple syrup for 5 minutes. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time if your syrup is getting too thick–do not allow it to burn. Strain out the plant material while the syrup is still warm enough to flow easily, then chill to room temperature before using it in cocktails.
- 1 oz lemon juice
- ½ t food-grade CBD extract
- Lemon wheels and fresh lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass.
- Garnish with lemon wheel and lavender sprig.
- Optional: the above preparation makes a strong drink, so consider serving it in a pint glass topped off with soda or seltzer for a sparkling, less boozy twist.
- Enjoy!
Hibiscus Watermelon CBD Chiller
Description
When the floral notes of hibiscus meld with the refreshing taste of watermelon, you’ve got yourself a memorable drink. Add in the soothing effects of CBD, and it becomes a truly unforgettable choice for those warm summer afternoons.
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1 oz rum (white rum is preferred for this recipe)
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz hibiscus tea (prepare and chill ahead of time–you can brew it more strongly for use in cocktails than you might for a cup of hot tea)
- 2 oz fresh watermelon juice (easily made by juicing fresh watermelon if you can’t find a prepared watermelon juice at your local grocer or party store)
- Optional: ½ oz lime juice for a sour note
- ½ t food-grade CBD extract
- Watermelon wedge and whole hibiscus flower for garnish
Instructions
- Combine rum, vodka, tea, juices, and CBD extract in a glass.
- Mix well, add ice, and stir again.
- Garnish with watermelon and hibiscus flower.
- Enjoy!
Golden CBD Elixir
Description
This complex potion is equally at home at upscale cocktail parties or your next tabletop RPG game night, depending on how you present it. This recipe uses turmeric to add earthy, spicy notes, and it’s also a natural anti-inflammatory that doubles down on some of CBD’s most noted therapeutic properties.
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1 oz your preferred whiskey
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz orange juice
- ½ oz ginger syrup (can be found commercially prepared or made at home by simmering freshly peeled ginger root in your simple syrup recipe for a few minutes)
- ¼ oz turmeric paste; or ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ t of food-grade CBD extract
- Soda water
- Orange slice and mint sprig for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Combine liquor, fruit juice, ginger syrup, turmeric, and CBD extract in a shaker with ice (if using an oil-based extract, shake well before adding ice and re-shaking).
- Strain into a serving receptacle of your choosing.
- Garnish with orange and mint as desired.
- Enjoy!
Dank Budz: Your Go-To Resource for Fun CBD and Cannabis Content
We hope you’re inspired and ready to brew up some tasty CBD concoctions of your own. For more great cannabis content and ideas for edible cannabinoid treats, head on over to our THC and CBD recipes and be sure to subscribe to our blog so you never miss a future post!
Have fun Budz!
