Cannabis Tincture
A potent cannabis tincture made by steeping decarboxylated cannabis in high-proof alcohol, providing a versatile liquid extract for sublingual dosing or adding to any food or drink.
This cannabis cannabis tincture recipe extracts potent cannabinoids into a liquid form that offers precise, sublingual dosing without any cooking required. Cannabis tinctures are one of the most important Essentials preparations because they are versatile, fast-acting when taken under the tongue, and can be added to virtually any food or drink. Master this technique for the ultimate cannabis pantry staple. Cannabis tincture is one of the most versatile cannabis preparations, allowing sublingual dosing or easy addition to virtually any food or beverage.
- 7 grams ground cannabis
- 4 oz high-proof grain alcohol (Everclear 190 proof recommended)
- Mason jar with tight-fitting lid
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Dark glass dropper bottle for storage
- Decarboxylate the cannabis: Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C). Spread the ground cannabis on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Place the cooled decarboxylated cannabis into a clean mason jar. Pour the high-proof alcohol over the cannabis until it is fully submerged.
- Seal the jar tightly. For a quick extraction, shake vigorously for 3-5 minutes. For a stronger tincture, store in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking once daily.
- Strain the tincture through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the plant material.
- Transfer the strained tincture to a dark glass dropper bottle. Start with a dose of 1 mL (about one full dropper) placed under the tongue and wait 15-30 minutes to gauge effects.
- Store in a cool, dark place. The tincture will keep for several years if stored properly. Shake before each use.
Dosing Tips for Your Cannabis Tincture
- Use a graduated dropper to measure each dose in milliliters. Calculate the total THC in your batch and divide by the total volume for mg-per-ml accuracy.
- For sublingual use, hold the tincture under your tongue for 60-90 seconds before swallowing. Effects can onset in 15-30 minutes this way.
- When adding tincture to food, effects follow normal edible timing of 45-90 minutes since it goes through digestion.
- Start with 0.25-0.5 ml of a standard tincture and titrate up gradually. Tinctures are concentrated and easy to overdose.
- Start with 1 mL (one full dropper) under the tongue and wait at least 30 minutes before taking more; sublingual absorption is faster than edibles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using low-proof alcohol for extraction produces a weak tincture. Use 190-proof food-grade ethanol for maximum cannabinoid extraction.
- Not decarboxylating the flower before soaking in alcohol. Raw cannabis in alcohol extracts THCA, which is not psychoactive.
- Shaking or agitating the tincture too aggressively during extraction, which pulls out excessive chlorophyll and makes it bitter and green.
- Storing tincture in a clear glass bottle where light degrades cannabinoids. Always use amber or cobalt blue glass.
How to Store Cannabis Tincture
- Store cannabis tincture in a dark glass dropper bottle in a cool, dark place. Properly stored, alcohol-based tinctures last over a year.
- Glycerin-based tinctures have a shorter shelf life of 3-6 months. Refrigeration extends this significantly.
- Label each bottle with the date, strain, total THC estimate, and mg per ml for safe, informed usage.
- Store in a dark glass dropper bottle in a cool, dark place; the high-proof alcohol acts as a preservative, giving the tincture a shelf life of several years.
Variations & Ideas
- Make a glycerin-based tincture for an alcohol-free option that is slightly sweet and gentler on the palate.
- Create a fast-wash tincture by freezing both the alcohol and decarbed flower, then combining for a short 3-minute extraction to minimize chlorophyll.
- Reduce an alcohol tincture gently on low heat to create a concentrated cannabis extract known as FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil).
- For an alcohol-free version, evaporate the alcohol on low heat after straining and mix the concentrate with MCT oil or glycerin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alcohol tinctures are more potent because ethanol extracts cannabinoids more efficiently. They have a longer shelf life and faster sublingual absorption. Glycerin tinctures are milder, slightly sweet, alcohol-free, and better for people who avoid alcohol, but they are less potent per volume.
The traditional method takes 2-4 weeks of soaking with daily shaking. The fast-freeze method takes only 3-5 minutes of active extraction. Both produce effective tinctures, though the long soak extracts a broader spectrum of compounds including more terpenes.
Yes, gently warming the tincture in a well-ventilated area evaporates the alcohol and concentrates the cannabinoids. Never use open flame near alcohol vapors. The result is a thick, potent concentrate that can be used in capsules, edibles, or applied topically.
Harsh taste comes from long extraction times that pull out chlorophyll and plant waxes. Use the quick-wash method with frozen ingredients, strain through a coffee filter, and consider a brief winterization step in the freezer to remove waxes.
Add tincture to finished dishes, not during cooking. Stir it into sauces, dressings, and beverages after they have been removed from heat. The alcohol evaporates quickly when added to warm food, leaving the cannabinoids behind without affecting flavor significantly.
Positive Effects
Negative Effects
You may or may not feel all the effects listed*