If you’re at all interested in the world of cannabis, you’ve probably tried at least one of the delicious cannabis drinks we offer here at Clear Choice. From refreshing lemonades to invigorating teas to potent energy shots and beyond, it seems there are no limitations on the range of delicious and potent drinks other than the imagination!

Don’t believe us? It’s a lot easier to make cannabis drinks at home than you might think. If you have access to fresh cannabis flower and a little time, you can craft delicious, creative and personalized drinks yourself. Here’s how.

How to Make Cannabis Drinks: Tinctures

The simplest way to make a cannabis drink is simply to add a few drops of already-prepared cannabis tincture to whatever beverage you like. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold; although most chefs recommend lower temperatures when cooking with cannabis, even boiling water—at 212 degrees—shouldn’t degrade the potency of the tincture.

But if you’re reading this article, you’re probably curious about making your own tincture. And trust us: It’s not challenging. All that’s required are fresh cannabis flower and a neutral, high-potency alcohol (such as Everclear).

How to Make Cannabis Drinks: Decarboxylating Your Cannabis

First you’ll need to decarboxylate—or decarb—your cannabis. All this means is exposing it to gentle, long-lasting heat to transform the non-psychoactive cannabinoid THC-A into usable THC.

Start by preheating your oven to 220°F - 235°F degrees. If you have an oven thermometer, use it. Most ovens’ internal thermostats are notoriously inaccurate.

Place the cannabis—we recommend using at least enough to half-fill an 8-ounce Mason jar—in an ovenproof container like a baking pan. Alternately, some people prefer a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Once the oven is at the proper temperature, place the cannabis in its container inside. Allow it to bake for an hour. Note: If you’re using a high-CBD flower, some experts recommend decarbing it for 15 minutes at a temperature of 220°F in order to dry the plants, and then 60 minutes at 250°F for full decarboxylation.

Take out your roasty, toasty cannabis. Next, grind it to as fine a consistency as you can manage, using a purpose-built cannabis tool, an ordinary spice grinder, or even just the flat edge of a kitchen knife.

Place the cannabis in the jar and cover it with the alcohol of your choice to an inch or so above the level of the flower. Remember, it should be a high-proof liquor (vodka will work, though we like the neutral potency of Everclear).

Now comes the hard part: The waiting. Leave the in a dark pantry or closet for 4 - 6 weeks, remembering to shake it at least once a day. After the time has passed, strain the tincture through a very fine filter or cheesecloth, and check its potency with a few drops. Go easy! Allow at least an hour—and preferably two—for the full effects to become apparent.

Of course, you could go the easy route and grab a premade cannabis drink at our Tacoma dispensary, or a tincture to infuse your own beverage.

How to Make Cannabis Drinks: Other Options

Of course, you have plenty of other options when it comes to making cannabis drinks. You can decarb your cannabis into dairy or coconut milk; into butter—yes, hot buttered cannabis rum is a blast!—or make it into a simple syrup.

We enjoy making tinctures because it’s simple and relatively generic, meaning that it can be added as-is to nearly any beverage (or food). If you have a favorite cannabis beverage recipe of your own, by all means, let us know!

PS. If you want to keep your cannabis at its best for longer don't miss our comprehensive guide on 'Can Weed Go Bad?' for crucial tips to prevent your weed from degrading and ensuring its freshness and potency.

You can pick up a tincture or a premade beverage at your favorite Bremerton dispensary. Stop by our order online now!