Cannabis beverages have become a fixture in the drink landscape, especially among consumers looking for something lighter, more social, and easier to pace than alcohol. From CBD-infused coffee to THC microdose sodas, there are seemingly endless flavors and styles to explore.
Cannabis drinks don't need alcohol's permission to exist. Reducing alcohol consumption has become a mainstream priority across age groups, and cannabis drinks are filling that gap in a way that actually makes sense — delivering flavor, ritual, and relaxation without the next-day hangover.
Part of the fun of cocktails is the element of craft that goes into them. Of course, the many ready-to-drink cannabis beverages can be enjoyed on their own as an alternative to alcoholic tipples, but for those who crave the ritual of mixing something unique in their home bar — or for those who want to enjoy a complex drink that equals more than the sum of its parts — this recipe is for you.
The concoctions below use a combination of pre-made infused beverages and tinctures. Any type of tincture, such as full-spectrum hemp, CBD or THC, will work, though we are partial to nano tinctures that are made specifically for beverages since they mix in easily and don't change the flavor profile. Nano-emulsified tinctures also disperse more evenly into liquid instead of floating at the surface or leaving behind an oily texture. Nano tinctures also absorb faster — many consumers report effects within 15–30 minutes versus the 45–90 minute window of a standard oil-based tincture, so pace yourself accordingly.
How to make delicious cannabis-infused cocktails
Before you start mixing, there are a few tried-and-true tips you should have at your disposal for the best canna-cocktail experience:
- After following a recipe, periodically taste and adjust the amounts of each ingredient to create your ideal balance.
- Use nice ice! Invest in an ice mold to create more professional cocktails that won't dilute quickly.
- Add your own flair: play around with garnishes to put a personalized stamp on homemade drinks. Try anything from cinnamon sticks to fresh figs.
Why a canna-grapefruit spritz
Spritzes are built for low-dose social drinking — crisp, refreshing, easy to sip, and not overly sweet. The idea being that you're probably going to have a few of them. An easily customizable drink, you can use any seasonal fruit, juice, or herb — this recipe builds on the herbal and bitter-tangy-sweet grapefruit flavors that naturally pair well with piney terpenes found in cannabis — specifically alpha-pinene and terpinolene, which show up in many cannabis varieties and share the same fresh, herbal edge as rosemary and grapefruit.
Grapefruit's bitterness also helps cut through the resinous edge cannabis can sometimes bring to beverages, which keeps the drink tasting crisp instead of syrupy.
The pairing works because it complements the flavor profile of cannabis instead of trying to hide it.
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Ingredients:
- 8 oz Cann Grapefruit Rosemary Tonic
- 2.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- Fresh rosemary herb sprig for garnish
- Ice
Method:
- Pour grapefruit juice over the ice in a large glass, then add the sparkling mixer.
- Massage the herb sprig between your palms to release its essential oils and place into glass.
Products we mixed: Cann Social Tonics
Cann Social Tonics are one of the most approachable entry points in the THC beverage category — each can comes in at just 2mg THC and 4mg CBD, making them easy to pace across a session. That low-dose format is a big reason THC beverages have become popular as alcohol alternatives in social settings. Any of their flavors create a lovely spritz.
Available: California
Q Tonic
As an alternative, use your own low-dose tincture with a high-quality sparkling mixer. Q Tonic is a strong choice here — their tonics use real quinine and skip the artificial sweeteners, which means the bitter-citrus backbone stays clean and doesn't compete with grapefruit juice or cannabis's natural terpene edge. If opting for a flavored seltzer instead, consider adding ½ ounce of sweetener such as maple or simple syrup.
If using an unflavored tonic, honey syrup or agave tends to integrate more smoothly than granulated sugar in cold drinks.
Available: Nationwide
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