While CBD drinks are growing in popularity, the truth is that many of them are not as effective as they are advertised to be. Fortunately, CBD and alcohol mix together smoothly to shape beverages that could be worth your while.
Cocktails have evolved significantly over the years and opened the path to mixology, the discipline and skill of developing classic cocktails with an innovative culinary approach. Typically, cocktails consist of at least one spirit as the base, or a strong distilled liquor with approximately 35-50% alcohol by volume (ABV), and a few flavorful ingredients such as fruit juices, spices, bitters, and garnish for a refreshing beverage experience.
Rather it is advised to keep the dose of each compound and total consumption of CBD cocktails to a low amount.
Why Drink CBD Cocktails?
Drinking CBD cocktails can be a source for receiving the multitude of health benefits associated with hemp derived CBD.
However, it's important to manage expectations because alcohol can exasperate inflammation and lead to more adverse effects when consumed in excess. While we don't recommend resorting to a CBD cocktail every single time for your regular cannabinoid intake, you may notice that a few drops infused into your alcoholic beverage reaps its own highlights.
Its important to know that CBD is oil soluble and does not mix with water. This water repellency is an obstacle that stands in the way of many CBD infused beverage ideas from being actualized. To get around this, most CBD brands have resorted to nano-emulsification, a method that uses ultrasonic waves to change the chemical structure of CBD into becoming a water-soluble molecule.
Reasons for adding CBD to your drink
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Supports a relaxed state
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May enhance flavors of the drink
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Encourages health consciousness when drinking
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May help to treat alcohol disorder
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Lowers blood alcohol level
4 CBD Cocktail Recipes to Unwind With
For your CBD cocktail recipes, it’s important to use a premium grade, full spectrum CBD oil extract with a moderate to high potency dosage for the best results.
We recommend a 1/2 dropper's worth of Full Spectrum CBD Oil 5000mg for 41.6mg CBD per serving.
1. Old Fashioned with CBD
What You'll Need
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2 oz bourbon whiskey
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1/2 dropper of CBD oil
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1/4 oz simple syrup
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3 dashes of bitters
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Ice cubes
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Cherry
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Orange slice
Let's Get Started: Old Fashioned w/CBD
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Begin by placing 2 large sized ice cubes into a glass. We choose to use bigger ice cubes because they take longer to melt which lowers the risks of diluting your CBD cocktail.
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Measure out 2 ounces of the bourbon whiskey of your choice and pour it over the ice. Basil Hayden is a great option if you're looking for something light-bodied and easy to sip.
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Measure out 1/4 ounce of simple syrup, or alternatively you may muddle a sugar cube, and add it to the glass.
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Add three dashes of bitters to balance the sweet notes of the bourbon.
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Follow by adding a half dropper's worth of Full Spectrum CBD Oil 5000mg in natural hemp or citrus flavor. This will provide 41.6mg of CBD to your beverage.
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Gently stir your Old Fashioned for a smooth, velvety texture.
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Top with a Luxardo cherry and orange slice on the rim to spruce up this CBD cocktail.
2. Hibiscus and Pomegranate Margarita with CBD
For this CBD cocktail recipe, you'll be using hibiscus calyx, or calyces in abundance, which is the edible dried part that surrounds the hibiscus fruit and not the actual flower.
Here's What You'll Need
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1/2 cup dried hibiscus calyces
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1/3 cup pomegranate juice
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1/3 cup sugar
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2 oz tequila
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1/2 dropper of CBD Oil
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1 and 1/2 oz Triple sec
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1 medium lime, freshly squeezed
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Ice cubes
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Hibiscus petals, rosemary sprigs, or pomegranate for garnish
Let's Get Started: Hibiscus and Pomegranate Margarita w/ CBD
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Begin by making the hibiscus and pomegranate syrup, which is what gives richness to the drink. Place sugar, hibiscus calyces, and pomegranate juice into a small sauce pan. Mix on low to medium heat for about 5 minutes until sugar dissolves and concoction has thickened. Set aside and let cool. Leftover simple syrup can be sealed and refrigerated for up to a month.
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Within a cocktail shaker, add ice, 1 and 1/2 oz of hibiscus pomegranate syrup, tequila, triple sec, pure CBD oil, and lime juice. Shake vigorously. A simple hack: a glass mason jar with a lid works just fine for shaking things up.
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Strain your elixir into a glass and garnish with hibiscus petals, a rosemary sprig, or pomegranate seeds. Option to have added course turbinado sugar, which resembles golden crystals, to the rim of your glass prior to the pour.
3. Perfected Moscow Mule with CBD
The Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 at New York's Chatham Hotel. Traditionally enjoyed in a copper mug, the cold metal is conductive and insulating, which maintains a refreshingly cold beverage while elevating the notes of the individual ingredients.
Here's What You'll Need
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2 oz vodka
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1/2 dropper CBD oil
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4 oz ginger beer
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1/2 medium lime, freshly squeezed
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sugar cube
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crushed ice
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mint sprigs
Let's Get Started: Perfected Moscow Mule w/CBD
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Within your copper mug you will muddle a single sugar cube and fresh lime juice.
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Top the mix with 4-6 few mint leaves and very gently muddle together with a few twists to release the herb's oil and aromatic fragrance.
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Pour in the vodka, CBD Oil, and ginger beer into the mug, followed by a gentle stir.
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Top with crushed ice and enjoy this CBD cocktail.
4. Muddled Blackberry and Gin Tonic with Infused CBD
What You'll Need
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8-10 ripe blackberries
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1/2 medium lime, freshly squeezed
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1 1/2 oz gin
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1/2 dropper CBD oil
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2 to 3 oz of tonic water
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1 oz simple syrup
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barspoon Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
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mint sprig
Let's Get Started: Muddled Blackberry and Gin Tonic w/ CBD
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Begin by gently muddling the blackberries and freshly squeezed lime juice at the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
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Add to the cocktail shaker your ice, simple syrup, maraschino liqueur, gin, and pure CBD.
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With some enthusiasm, shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds.
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Double strain and pour mixture into an ice filled glass.
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Top with tonic water and stir.
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Garnish with a few mint leaves and 2-3 blackberries to revel in this delicious CBD cocktail.
FAQs:
How Much CBD should I add to my cocktail?
To maximize the effectiveness of CBD in drinks, use full spectrum CBD oil in a moderate to strong dose. We'd recommend 40 mg per serving, in order to gain adequate wellness benefits that last through the process of breakdown during digestion with oral consumption.
Will CBD Change the Taste of a Cocktail?
Natural, hemp derived CBD oils will exhibit a cannabis flavor that can vary slightly between strains. Some users may recognize notes that taste earthy, slightly floral, or even bitter.
Resources
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De Ternay, Julia et al. “Therapeutic Prospects of Cannabidiol for Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-Related Damages on the Liver and the Brain.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 10 627. 31 May. 2019, doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00627