How To Make THC-Infused Drinks

THC-infused beverages are one of the most approachable ways to consume cannabis. No smoke, no equipment, just a drink.They've actually been around since roughly 2000 B.C., though the methods have come a long way since then. Today, the easiest way to make your own cannabis drinks at home is with THC tincture.

In celebration of National Lemonade Day, the Ooze crew put together a few THC-infused drink recipes worth adding to your rotation. Before you start pouring, here's what you need to know about tinctures and dosing.

What is THC Tincture?

THC Tincture, also known as "Green Dragon," is a cannabis-infused, alcohol-based liquid with a rich history in eastern medicine. It's one of the most versatile cannabis consumption methods out there, and it's a solid option for anyone who wants a smoke-free, lung-friendly alternative.

Making it at home is straightforward:

1. Decarboxylate your cannabis flower
2. Add it to a jar with high-proof ethyl alcohol
3. Store in a dark place for 2-3 weeks, shake it daily or every few days
4. Once the liquid turns deep green, strain out the flower

What you're left with is a potent homemade tincture ready to mix into just about anything.

If DIY isn't your thing, tinctures are widely available at dispensaries. When shopping, look for one made from a strain you already enjoy (indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or a balanced hybrid). A good budtender can point you in the right direction if you're unsure.

How to Dose THC Beverages

Everyone processes cannabis differently, so there's no single "right" dose. here are the general starting points:

• Beginners: 2-5mg THC
• Average users: 10mg THC
• Experienced users: 20-30mg THC

A few things to keep in mind when dosing cannabis drinks:

• Go low and slow. You can always take more, but you can't take less.
• Wait before redosing. THC tincture can take 30 minutes or more to kick in, especially in drink form. Don't double up before you've felt the effects.
• Divide up the batch if you're having multiple drinks. Don't put it all in one glass, spread it out throughout the night.
• Setting matters. Your first time with a THC beverage should be somewhere you feel comfortable and safe.

For a more detailed breakdown, check out the effects chart in this THC Dosage Guide.

How to Make a THC-Infused Drink

The basic process works for almost any recipe:

1. Gather your drink ingredients
2. Choose your tincture; homemade or storebought, whichever you prefer
3. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or glass
4. Add your tincture dose and stir well

 

THC-Infused Drink Recipes

Set the mood with the right playlist. Connect your phone to your Movez speaker and play our recommended song for each recipe!

1. Lit Lemonade

Song: Lemonade - Internet Money, Gunna, Don Toliver, NAV

Classic lemonade is an ideal base for cannabis tincture, especially a limonene-dominant tincture, which pairs naturally with the citrus flavor profile.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cold water
• 1 cup warm water
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 6 tbsp lemon juice (2-3 Lemons)
• 1 lemon for garnish
• THC Tincture (dose to your preference)
• Ice Cubes

Directions

1. Juice lemons by hand or with a juicer
2. Stire sugar into 1 cup of warm water until fully dissolved
3. In a pitcher, combine cold water, lemon juice, sugar water, and THC tincture
4. Stir well, add ice and lemon slices, and serve

2. Canna-Basil Strawberry Lemonade

Song: Strawberry Fields Forever (Remastered 2009) - The Beatles

An herbaceous twist on classic lemonade. The fresh basil adds a layer of complexity that works surprisingly well with cannabis tincture.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 10 strawberries, tops removed
• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
• THC Tincture (dose to your preference)
• Sweetener to taste

Directions

1. Add strawberries and basil to a pitcher and muddle until blended
2. Add lemon juice, sweetener, and water. Stir to combine
3. Add cannabis tincture and stir again
4. Serve over ice, garnished with a basil leaf, strawberry, and lemon wedge

Prefer visual instructions? Watch our Canna-Basil Strawberry Lemonade Video.

 

3. Watermelon Cucumber Cannabis Cocktail

Song: Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles

If lemonade isn't your thing, this watermelon cucumber mocktail is refreshing, festive, ad completely hangover-free. It hits like a mojito without the alcohol. Just add your tincture dose and you're good.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cubed watermelon  
• 12 fresh mint leaves  
• 12 cucumber slices  
• 1 lime  
• 4 tbsp of sugar or sweetener  
• 4 cups club soda  
• THC Tincture (dose to your preference)  
• Ice cubes  

Directions

1. Muddle the watermelon and mint at the bottom of a pitcher  
2. Add ice, cucumber slices, and sweetener 
3. Add tincture and stir  
4. Pour in club soda and give it one more gentle stir
5. Serve with a lime wedge in each glass

 

Pair Your Drinks with a Chill Smoke Sesh

If you want to take things a step further, any of these drinks pair well with an Ooze Cryo Bowl or Gylco Water Pipe. Both are made with liquid glycerin and borosilicate glass. They go straight in the freezer so every hit is ice cold. It's a solid combination for a proper sesh.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any type of tincture in these recipes?

Yes. Any cannabis tincture works, whether it's THC-dominant, CBD-infused, or a blend. Choose based on your preferred effects and strain type.

How long does it take to feel the effects of a THC drink?

Typically 30 minutes to 2 hours. Edible and drinkable cannabis takes longer to hit than smoking or vaping because it's processed through digestion. Be patient before redosing.

Can I make these drinks without alcohol-based tincture?

Yes. MCT oil-based cannabis tinctures and water-soluble THC drops are both available at dispensaries and mix cleanly into beverages without affecting flavor as much as alcohol-based tinctures.

Do THC drinks taste like weed?

It depends on the tincture. Alcohol-based tinctures can have a noticeable earthy or herbal taste. Flavored tinctures or water-soluble options tend to be more neutral. A strong-flavored drink like the strawberry lemonade or watermelon mocktail does a good job masking any cannabis flavor.

Are homemade THC drinks legal?

Cannabis laws vary widely by state and country. Always check your local regulations before making or consuming cannabis-infused beverages.