Cannabis-Infused Vodka, 2 Simple Ways To Make It

Looking to combine vodka (or any spirit) with your favorite strain of cannabis? Well, look no further. Below are two simple ways to make cannabis-infused vodka in just a few steps.

HOW TO MAKE CANNABIS VODKA

METHOD 1

This first method is super simple and just involves steeping cannabis in vodka for a couple of hours while closely monitoring the temperature. Remember, alcohol begins to evaporate at around 80ºC, so make sure to keep your heat nice and low for this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 250ml vodka (or any other spirit of choice, ideally want to use 151-190 proof)
• 1–3g of dried cannabis flower

HARDWARE

• 200-micron mesh nylon bag
• Double boiler
• Thermometer

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Set up your double boiler on the lowest possible heat setting while you organize the ingredients.
2. Prepare your cannabis by grinding/chopping it to a medium consistency and wrapping it in the brewer’s bag to make a small package. If you want your vodka to produce strong psychoactive effects, make sure to use dry, decarboxylated cannabis. Using fresh cannabis won’t give the vodka the same psychoactive effects, but will give it a nice color and flavor profile.
3. Pour your vodka into the double boiler, then add your cannabis package and let it infuse for roughly 2–3 hours. Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature of the vodka doesn’t rise above 60ºC. For a more concentrated product, feel free to let the alcohol infuse for longer, just remember that you’ll risk cooking off some of the alcohol.
4. Remove the cannabis from your vodka, then pour it into a glass container. Wait for the liquid to cool before sealing it, then store in a cool, dark place. If you want a clearer final product, strain the vodka through a coffee filter.

METHOD 2

This second method makes a delicious honey-flavored vodka using cannabis-infused honey. To make the honey, you’ll need to first extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis using coconut oil, then blend the oil together with the honey. Remember to use low temperatures during this extraction to avoid burning off any cannabinoids.

This method may be less homogenized and leave coconut fat droplets floating around, so be aware!

INGREDIENTS

• 2g dried, decarboxylated cannabis buds
• 150g honey
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 500ml vodka

HARDWARE

• 1 mason jar 
• Saucepan with simmering water (water bath)
• Thermometer
• Blender
• Cheesecloth

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start by making your cannabis honey. To do so, grind your cannabis to a medium consistency, and place it into a mason jar together with the coconut oil. Make sure you’re using decarboxylated cannabis to ensure your honey has psychoactive effects.
2. Seal the mason jar and place it in the water bath. Let it sit on low heat for roughly two hours to extract the cannabis into the oil.
3. Once the extraction has finished, strain the oil through cheesecloth to remove the pieces of cannabis flower. Remember to lightly squeeze out any remaining liquid from the cloth.
4. Add the infused oil to your honey and mix together.
5. Add the vodka, and mix until everything is fully combined.
6. Pour the vodka into a bottle, seal, and enjoy whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up!

A NOTE ON MIXING CANNABIS WITH ALCOHOL

Mixing alcohol and cannabis is really common, but it’s important to note that it can have negative effects. Combining the two drugs can enhance both the feelings of being drunk and being high, and can lead to nausea, dizziness, impaired motor skills, and vomiting.

One study^[1] shows that drinking alcohol after consuming cannabis can increase THC concentration in the blood. This suggests that alcohol can enhance the psychoactive properties of cannabis. This could be due to the fact that alcohol causes vasodilation and increases blood flow, possibly allowing more THC to cross from the alveoli in the lungs.

Some studies also suggest that cannabis can actually help protect against some of the toxic effects of alcohol, including neurotoxicity, as well as reducing oxidative stress in the liver after excessive drinking.

If you choose to mix cannabis with alcohol, that’s perfectly fine. After all, most people do. Just remember to take it easy, and pay extra attention to your body’s reaction to the combination of drugs.

It’s impossible to estimate the dose of an infusion when working with cannabis flowers. If you’re unable to have your infusions lab-tested, be sure to go low and slow!