Drinking is ingrained in our culture as a way to reward ourselves, relax, and celebrate. However, for a variety of reasons, many consumers are moving away from alcohol. For that extra dose of relaxation, bartenders are working to make CBD-infused mocktails approachable and accessible.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, was a popular wellness ingredient in 2018, and interest has continued to grow. CBD is a plant-derived compound used for a wide range of wellness goals. It offers a way to explore some of the characteristics of cannabis without the psychoactive effects of THC.

But how do you use CBD oil in recipes or mocktails? Let’s look at the basics.

CBD OIL RECIPES

CBD oil is one way to add CBD to your beverages, but is best used in more specific ways. Unlike alcohol-based tinctures, CBD oil is difficult to integrate into another liquid. Oil floats on top of a drink or can sit in a healthy layer of foam on top of a drink. The benefit to either method is that the oil offers a cannabis aroma specific to that particular strain or product, adding complexity to the flavors of the drink. However, CBD oil is also prone to sinking to the bottom of the glass.

One way to integrate CBD oil into your beverages is to make an infused simple syrup. Mixing equal parts water and sweetener (i.e., honey, agave or sugar), add CBD oil to create your preferred dosage per serving. Typically, a 25-mg serving of CBD is a common starting point chosen by consumers. Because CBD oil is typically aromatic and grassy in flavor, your resulting simple syrup will retain these flavor characteristics. You can also infuse the syrup with ginger or herbs like rosemary and thyme for more complex flavor profiles.

CBD TINCTURES

Because CBD tinctures are alcohol-based, they mix more readily into beverages. This means you will get to enjoy every last drop. CBD tinctures are often likened to bitters in a cocktail; offering a slightly astringent characteristic, they are used to balance and highlight other flavors in a drink.

Another fun way to add CBD tincture to your mocktails is to make your own canna-sugar. Simply mix drops of CBD tincture into sugar in the ratio you desire, and bake on low heat in the oven until the sugar is dry and a light golden color. Add to hot beverages, or use the sugar to line the rim of a glass for an upscale mocktail.

CBD MOCKTAIL RECIPES

Now that you understand the basics, it is time to start mixing. Check out these CBD mocktail recipes the next time you want to enjoy a mellow vibe without the hangover.

PAPA’S BLOODY VIRGIN MARY

Servings: one drink

Ingredients:

• 1 dropper Papa & Barkley 1:30 Whole Plant Extract
• 4 oz. tomato juice
• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 oz. lemon juice
• Pinch smoked salt
• Pinch coarse pepper
• Pinch celery salt
• Garnish: celery, pickles, olives, lemon wedge, cocktail onions

Instructions:

Combine tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salts and pepper and shake over ice. Strain over ice and add garnish to the glass. Top with one dropper of Papa & Barkley 1:30 Whole Plant Extract, and stir into the drink with a stir stick.

PAPA’S VIRGIN CBD COLADA

Servings: one drink

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz water plus ½ tsp. almond extract
• 1 oz. Coco Lopez coconut cream
• 3/4 oz. lime juice
• 5 blackberries
• 3/4 oz. Papa & Barkley CBD simple syrup

Instructions:

In a shaker, muddle blackberries and CBD simple syrup. Add water and almond extract, Coco Lopez, lime juice and shake vigorously. Pour over ice and enjoy.

MORE CBD MOCKTAIL RECIPES

• Hemp Hot Toddy
• Rosemary Citrus Spritzer
• CBD Julep
• Smoky CBD Mezcal Margarita
• Gin and CBD Tonic
• Cucumber Ginger CBD Mocktail

Jacquelyn Nause is a contributing writer with specialties in cannabis, real estate and wellness. She enjoys traveling with her husband, being a doting mother to her two incredible kids and enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest playground.

References:

• https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/cbd-mocktail-hemp-hot-toddy
• https://solful.com/rosemary-citrus-spritzer/
• https://goop.com/recipes/cbd-julep/
• https://goop.com/recipes/up-in-smoke/
• https://goop.com/recipes/gin-chronic/
• https://www.papaandbarkleyessentials.com/cucumber-ginger-cbd-mocktail