By In California, it’s called Cali Sober, but people around the world are switching from alcohol to cannabis-infused beverages, intentionally eliminating inebriation, cognitive impairment, and stumbling along with their hangovers. Harm reduction is the new buzzword for switching to weed, stating that people across the country will choose plants over booze and become better people, parents and partners.
nose of flavor
Founded by wine specialist and sommelier turned cannabis drink enthusiast Jamie Evans The Herb Som The blog and lifestyle brand hosts upscale, gourmet cannabis-infused dinners curated with wine and cannabis. Her first book, The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Exploring the World of Cannabidiolreleased in 2020, features CBD-infused recipes. Cannabis Drinks: The Secret to Making CBD and THC Beverages at Hometo be released in 2021.
“Cannabis drinks are a great alternative to alcohol,” Evans said. “New low-dose options available today allow these beverages to offer an experience similar to having a glass of wine or beer, but without the hangover. For the above reasons, it indicates a desire for alternatives to alcoholic beverages, which is driving new and curious consumers into the cannabis beverage category.”
In 2021, Evans launched Herbace, a cannabis-infused beverage company that “celebrates flowers and vines.” Evans said France’s iconic wine regions inspired Elbace. Non-alcoholic cannabis beverages contain phytocannabinoids (plant-derived cannabinoids), terpenes (aromatic compounds that contribute to taste and smell), tannins (bitter and astringent compounds found in wines, etc.), and terroir (a characteristic that nature gives them). flavor) is blended. environment).
“In my research on cannabis, I noticed many similarities between the plant and wine, including farming methods and sensory evaluation techniques,” said Evans. “Mixology is defined as the skill of mixing cocktails and other beverages, but at its core is the extensive study of the art and technique of combining flavors.”
cannabis cocktail
In her new drink guide, Evans provides recipes, tips and tricks for making cannabis-infused craft cocktails, smoothies, lattes and spirit-free mixed drinks at home. Basic infusions include making old-fashioned bitters, honey, sour mixes, simple syrups, and alcohol-based tinctures using a technique she calls “infused her mixology.” So, this book teaches the basic building blocks for making marijuana mocktails.
“One of the most important things in making a good cocktail is balance,” says Evans. “As with all drinks, do we have to assess if the drink is too sweet or too sour? Complex or simple? What about texture? How can we make this drink more interesting and delicious? Once balanced, you have a good cocktail, and remember that every ingredient in your beverage is meant to enhance complexity, structure, mouthfeel, and bone structure.?
the future is fluid
Evans is looking forward to giving more people a shot at making cannabis cocktails.
“I am enthusiastic about the future of cannabis cuisine, cannabis restaurants and cannabis-infused beverage bars,” she said. “In my opinion, creating your own infusions, such as simple cannabis-infused syrups or cannabis-infused bitters, is a great way to use it because you can customize your infusions based on your personal preferences. .”
Cannabis infusions can be seamlessly combined into beverages compared to using commercial oil tinctures. is to Milligram counts are not as accurate in handcrafted products as they are in professionally made products.
If you don’t have time to create your own infusion, Evans recommends adding an alcohol or oil tincture to infuse your drink.
“If you use a measured tincture or a water-soluble formulation that has already been tested in a protocol, dosing this way is straightforward,” she said. CBD isolate is another way to infuse your beverage. They are typically tasteless and odorless, and are a quick and powerful way to integrate CBD into your regime. ”
Evans said consumers can also take already THC- or CBD-infused beverages right off the shelf and add the ready-made infusions to their mocktails for another quick mix. The most important thing, she said, is to make sure everything you use can be blended, mixed, stirred, shaken, and mixed well.
Evans said those interested in making their own cannabis cocktails can start by making tasting notes for each ingredient and shouldn’t be put off by the weedy grassy taste.
“When working with cannabis in cocktails, don’t mask the flavor of the cannabis, complement it,” she said. “Many producers add a lot of sugar to their drinks to cover the cannabis flavor. , your drink will be delicious!”
evans book Cannabis Drinks: The Secret to Making CBD and THC Beverages at Home Contains a wealth of knowledge on how to take the guesswork out of making quality homemade cannabis beverages. Here are two recipes from the book.
ginger rabbit
Rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, fresh carrot juice adds a delicious flavor to your drink and helps improve your immune system, boost your metabolism and lower cholesterol. Carrot juice also works well with many other fruits, vegetables, roots and herbs and is a great item to mix. Whenever you’re in the mood for an impossibly refreshing drink, try this recipe!
Yield: 1 Serving
Target Dose: 8mg CBD | 2mg THC per drink (use a simple ginger-infused syrup) or your preferred dose (use your favorite over-the-counter CBD or THC tincture)
Device:
muddler
shaker can
fine mesh strainer
collins glass
bar spoon
reusable straws
material:
1 piece (1 inch or 2.5 cm) of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
60ml freshly squeezed apple juice
118ml freshly squeezed carrot juice
1 1/2 ounces (45 ml) fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz (15 ml) Infused Ginger Simple Syrup
ice
Splash of ginger beer
carrot leaves, edible flowers and lemon slices for garnish
direction:
Mix ginger and apple juice in the bottom of a shaker can. Mix well to maximize ginger flavor. Add carrot juice, lemon juice and ginger simple syrup. Add ice, cover and shake for 15 seconds or until very cold.
Using a fine-mesh strainer, separate the solids from the liquid in a Collins glass three-quarters filled with fresh ice. Drizzle some ginger beer over the top, stir well with a bar spoon, then garnish with carrot leaf sprigs, edible flowers, and lemon slices. This drink is best enjoyed with a reusable straw.
Note: When making spirits-free mixed drinks, it’s best to stick to healthier options and avoid excess sugar. It is always recommended to use and source seasonal ingredients.Ginger beer is no different, quality matters. QGinger beer is highly carbonated and spicy, but not too sweet, so I recommend it. Avoid using high fructose corn syrup or mixers with large amounts of sugar. If you don’t have the ingredients for infusing ginger simple syrup, instead of regular simple syrup add your favorite bland tincture (in your preferred dose) to the shaker tin and mix. Please follow the instructions.
Infused ginger simple syrup
yield: About 15-16 ounces (465-480ml)
Target Dose: 16mg CBD | 4mg THC per oz (with flower infusion)
Device:
Digital Scale
peeler
measuring cup
measuring spoon
small pot
thermometer
One 16 oz (480 ml) sterile mason jar
cheesecloth
fine mesh strainer
material:
3 grams decarboxylated flour of your choice
2 cups of water (480ml)
1 cup (340g) honey
1 1/2 tablespoons heaped fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon of food-grade vegetable glycerin (15ml)
direction:
Weigh out 3 grams of decarboxylated flowers. set aside.
Add water, honey and ginger to a small pot and mix. Cook over low heat, stirring until the honey dissolves in the water. Reduce heat to about 160°F to 180°F (71°C to 82°C) and add decarboxylated cannabis.
Simmer over low heat for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and add vegetable glycerin. This binds the CBD (and THC) together. Continue heating and stirring for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Pour the infused simple syrup into a 16 oz (480 ml) Mason jar and strain through gauze in a fine strainer to remove solids. Cool and shake before serving.
This article appeared in the June 2022 issue. high timesPlease subscribe here.
