As we get older there’s one thing that becomes harder to handle around the holiday time – and we don’t mean judgy Aunt Sharon, or grandma’s mystery jello salad. We’re talking about hangovers.
With high stress and more reasons to celebrate, it’s pretty common to over-serve yourself for the holidays. Unfortunately, the same time period is jam-packed with gatherings and people you want to enjoy – rather than nursing yourself back to life after a night of one too many.
The holidays signify a time to come together with friends, family, and loved ones, and now more than ever consumers are turning to cannabis-infused beverages. To be more present, feel better in the AM, and still, get a toasty buzz. So, how can you cut back on booze for the holiday and keep in high spirits? Don’t worry – we’ve got your ultimate guide to getting ‘tipsy’ with THC to help avoid the depleted day-after effects that follow a night (or day!) of festive fun.
THE BASICS OF CANNABIS INFUSED BEVERAGES
- By sipping and swallowing THC, you may think your cannabis drink will act just like any edible would. However, since most cannabis infused beverages are made with a water-soluble type of THC, you can instead expect an onset between 10 and 15 minutes, like an oil or tincture. That’s because rather than being metabolized by the digestive system, the cannabinoids are absorbed through the mouth and sublingually under the tongue.
- Always check the total milligrams of the cannabis infused beverage to see if it’s one you should share, or can drink solo. If you’re an infrequent cannabis consumer, it’s best to start low and slow with your sips at first to see how the delivery method affects you personally. As a general starting point, consider 2 to 4 mg per 8 to 12 fl oz. While more frequent cannabis consumers can go for several servings of 5 to 10 mg beverages, or explore more potent drinks at 100 mg and feel comfortable doing so.
With consumers quickly discovering the perks of THC drinks over alcohol, it’s no surprise the cannabis infused beverage market is growing nearly doubling in sales from 2018 to 2020. This means now, consumers have the delight of shopping a plethora of options. Including those that are health-conscious, let you mix up your own, or have the convenience and familiarity of a trusty 6-pack.
So, next let’s explore some of the best of the best, and cover some simple DIY cannabis drink recipes that can even taste like the familiar cocktails you’re used to.
SIP ON THIS – THE TOP ‘21 CANNABIS DRINKS
No matter your drink or flavor preference, rest assured – there’s a cannabis drink for you. To help you decide, here are some of our favorite infused beverages for 2021’s holiday season.
CANN – BLOOD ORANGE CARDAMOM 6PK
Perfect for cannabis infused beverage beginners are low-dosed Cann beverages, like this Blood Orange Cardamom 6 pack. With 2 mg of THC and 4 mg of CBD per can, you can throw back the deliciously sweet and lightly spiced tonics for a hangover-free, and uplifting buzz.
REBEL COAST WINERY – BLACK CHERRY
If White Claws are your thing, you can turn to Rebel Coast Winery’s Black Cherry seltzers for familiar flavors. This cannabis infused sparkling water comes with 10 mg of THC and zero calories, carbs, and sugars for those saving their calories for holiday baked goods, instead.
WUNDER – LEMON GINGER 4PK
With half the calories of beer and wine, Wunder cannabis infused beverages like this Lemon Ginger 4 pack is a light and refreshing way to enjoy drinking without overwhelming after-effects. Pour over ice, or enjoy this bold and refreshing effervescent beverage straight from the can for a euphoric experience provided by a trio of cannabinoids – 2 mg THC, 2 mg Delta-8 and 4mg
CBD.
LAGUNITAS – HI-FI HOPS REVERB 4PK
Crack open a cold one without the heavy hangovers craft beer can induce. Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops Reverb is the perfect non-alcoholic alternative for consumers who crave beer for its crisp hop flavor. Hi-Fi Hops serves as the closest thing to a cannabis-infused beer but is actually sparking water – meaning it’s gluten, calorie, and sugar-free.
ARTET – FOUNDERS BLEND NO.1
Love a good drink on the rocks? Try Artet Founders Blend No 1. This limited-edition blend is a single strain batch of the brand’s flagship aperitif. Infused with live resin you’re treated to the natural sweetness, pine, and potency of Aster Farms’ “Honeydew Funk” from flower to bottle.
Or, try Artet’s Tet and Tonic for just as elevated of an experience from the premium cannabis beverage aficionados. Available in 8oz cans or four packs, Tet and Tonics bring the taste of the season with flavors of juniper, gentian, and cardamom.
AMASS AFTERDREAM
AMASS Afterdream is the latest cannabis infused spirit to hit the shelves and contains a blend of THC, CBD, and Delta-8 for what the brand calls ‘limb-loosening and mind-mellowing’ effects. The spirit comes with sumac, sorrel, and lemon for a bright, tart taste, with balancing notes of mint and rosemary. Ideal on the rocks, or mixed with tonic you’ll get an extra twist of cannabis
flavors with the infusion of limonene, beta-myrcene, and eucalyptol terpenes to complete the full-bodied and sophisticated profile.
MIX YOUR OWN!
Still, craving that classic cocktail of the winter holiday season? Mix up your own cannabis infused beverage with cannabis tinctures, and alcohol-free spirits to get a taste of nostalgia without the after-effects. As more and more people choose a sober lifestyle, distilled non-alcohol spirits like Seedlip are growing in popularity and serve as an alternative to the cocktail flavors you’re used to. Here’s a few ways to put them to good use with cannabis infused drink recipes –
Moscow Mule – Mix 1 ½ oz of Seedlip Spice 94 with ½ oz of ginger nectar, 2 tsp of fresh lime, your dosage of unflavored or flavored cannabis tincture, and a splash of soda on top.
Spiked Egg Nog – In a blender, combine 2 oz of Seedlip Spice 94, 2 oz of Oat Milk (or any milk of your choice!), 1 oz coconut cream, ½ oz date syrup, 1 drop of vanilla extract, your dosage of unflavored or flavored cannabis tincture and 1 pinch of cinnamon. Pulse until frothy, and serve warm or cold garnished with freshly grated nutmeg.
Gin & Tonic – Pour 1 ½ oz of Seedlip Grove 42 into a glass and top with 4 oz of tonic, plus your dosage of unflavored or flavored cannabis tincture and garnish with an orange peel.
CHEERS TO CANNABIS
Make your holiday season extra happy and bright with this guide to cheers’ing with cannabis. And, don’t feel alone – in a 2020 survey nearly 64% of cannabis users indicated they were ditching booze for weed, during the holidays.
So, join the movement and go ‘California Sober’ for the season with the calm, cool, and collected vibes cannabis drinks can deliver – and without a nagging hangover.
Start crafting your cannabis infused beverage line-up for the holiday with Embarc’s extensive collection of top-shelf (and tasty!) drink options, now.
