Infused Whiskey
Explore the flavour of the best whiskies with the glorious cannabis aroma.
This cannabis infused whiskey recipe pairs cannabutter with spirits or cocktail ingredients for a sophisticated adult beverage with both alcohol and THC effects. Combining cannabis and alcohol requires extra caution since both are psychoactive and can intensify each other's effects. Master the balance of flavor and dosing with our detailed guide. Cannabis-infused whiskey combines two adult indulgences into one spirit that can be sipped neat or mixed into cocktails.
- 750 ml bottle of bourbon whiskey
- 7 g ground weed
- Decarb your weed - Learn how to do
- Pour the bottle of whiskey into a sealable jar (or pour out a little bit of whiskey to make up for the added volume of the weed) and add the ground weed.
- Shake the bottle and let it sit, out of the sun, for at least 48 hours. Shake it up at least once a day until it has reached your desired potency - up to one month if possible. The longer it sits, the more potent it will be.
- Pour the whiskey mixture into a glass container, using a cheesecloth to strain out all ground weed from the whiskey. Repeat this step as necessary to strain all of the whiskey from the ground weed, and discard the remaining weed.
Dosing Tips for Your Infused Whiskey
- Significantly reduce both your alcohol and THC doses when combining them. Aim for no more than 5 mg THC and one standard drink equivalent.
- Cannabis and alcohol are synergistic. The combined effect is stronger than either one alone, so err heavily on the side of caution.
- Use cannabis tincture for alcohol-based cocktails as it mixes more seamlessly than fat-based infusions.
- Serve these drinks slowly and provide non-infused alternatives so guests can choose their comfort level.
- Start with a half-ounce pour since the combination of alcohol and THC intensifies both effects significantly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating a cannabis cocktail like a regular drink and having multiple rounds. One cannabis cocktail should be the limit for most people due to the combined effects.
- Using full-strength alcohol with a full-strength cannabis dose creates a dangerously intense experience that can cause severe nausea and anxiety.
- Fat-based cannabis infusions separate in clear spirits and look unappetizing. Use tinctures or infused simple syrups for cocktails.
- Not warning guests that drinks contain cannabis. This is both unsafe and in many places illegal. Always clearly label and communicate.
How to Store Infused Whiskey
- Cannabis-infused spirits and tinctures stored in a dark glass bottle will keep for several months at room temperature.
- Pre-mixed cannabis cocktails should be consumed the same day as mixed. Refrigerate if holding for a few hours.
- Cannabis-infused simple syrups keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks and are the most versatile cocktail addition.
- Store in a dark glass bottle away from sunlight; infused whiskey stays potent indefinitely at room temperature.
Variations & Ideas
- Create a cannabis-infused simple syrup using decarbed flower steeped in hot sugar water, then strain for a clean cocktail ingredient.
- Make a non-alcoholic version using the same cannabis infusion with mocktail recipes for guests who want THC without alcohol.
- Infuse bitters with cannabis for a micro-dosed addition that adds just a few milligrams per dash.
- Use a smoky bourbon and add a cinnamon stick during infusion for a warming, spiced winter spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be done safely at low doses but requires caution. Alcohol increases THC absorption, making the cannabis hit harder and faster. Keep both doses very low, start with 2.5-5 mg THC and one standard drink equivalent, and wait to see how the combination affects you.
Yes, high-proof alcohol is an excellent solvent for THC. Soak decarboxylated cannabis in everclear or high-proof vodka for several weeks, then strain. This creates a potent tincture that mixes perfectly into cocktails. Use very small amounts as it is concentrated.
Alcohol increases blood-brain barrier permeability and enhances THC absorption in the gut. This means you absorb more THC faster and it reaches your brain more efficiently. This is why much lower doses of both substances are recommended when combining.
Cocktails with bold, complex flavors like Bloody Marys, margaritas, and tiki drinks work well because they mask the herbal cannabis taste. Creamy cocktails like White Russians also work if using fat-based infusions. Avoid subtle drinks where the cannabis flavor would dominate.
Faster than either substance alone. The alcohol speeds THC absorption and you may feel combined effects within 15-30 minutes. The cannabis portion will continue to build for up to 90 minutes while the alcohol effect follows its normal timeline. Go very slow.
Positive Effects
Negative Effects
You may or may not feel all the effects listed*