Cannabis Vodka Recipe

“Martini, with vodka cannabis,” said Bong. James Bong. “Bakin,’ not blurred.”

Mixing a batch of cannabis vodka is a treat for people who know how to appreciate alcohol and weed together. For most, that combination is an unmitigated disaster, so partake at your own risk. The combination is easy to overdo and the potency becomes more dangerous than cool.

However, for the old-school partaker and the new-school cool, cannabis cocktails bring new life to the party. If you know your tolerance levels for both, and love both, then creating the ultimate buzz can be done in a couple of different ways.

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Dude, Vodka Pairs  •  Making Cannabis Vodka  •  Why is Weed Decarbed?  •  Making Decarbed Weed
Making Cannabis Vodka  •  Green Dragon Recipe (Cannabis Vodka)  •  Using Tinctures for Edibles  •  Making Cannabis Vodka Drinks

[READ ALSO: New Jersey’s Marijuana Legalization Puts Pressure on New York]

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Vodka Pairs With Everything

The Dude may like his Caucasians but vodka can pair with almost any juice for the discerning imbiber; tomato, orange, cranberry (or a mixture therein) and more! Weed’s buzz often accentuates fruit flavors too making many cannabis vodka cocktails extra tasty.

Mix the sharpening effects of weed with the depressant qualities of vodka easily by extracting everything from your bud and infusing it with the liquor. And liquor can actually be the solvent which extracts all that cannabinoid goodness.

Green Dragon, for example, is a concentrated cannabis tincture created with the ultra high-proof grain alcohol (its high proof alcohol extracts cannabinoids faster than a lower proof). But cannabis is versatile and can work well with vodka too using similar methods.

Making Cannabis Vodka

There are a couple of ways to infuse vodka with cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as well as a host of other goodies.

Long, cool extraction is the most common and popular method, used throughout history. You can also use heat to speed the extraction but that has inherent risks of explosion making many first time extractors nervous. Never fear for there is a third option- cold extraction.

There are similarities in all three methods- mainly that a solvent (alcohol) is used to extract cannabinoids out of the other commonality- weed. Preparing your weed for extraction is another trait shared in common in all extractions.

So, making all Weedtini recipes require vodka, activated cannabis and an airtight glass container. If you already know how to activate your weed, you can skip right to the 420DC Weedtini recipes section.

To activate your weed, you need an oven, baking dish and parchment paper.

Why is Weed Decarbed?

Weed needs to be heated before it will get you high. There’s a chemical reaction heat causes where weed becomes ‘activated.’ That means it’s psychoactive after being decarboxylated, or “decarbed.”

Until weed is activated, very little of the cannabis flower is bio available because there’s no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) yet. So, to make any edible, topical or tincture, you have to prep cannabis first with heat and time.

Of course, decarbing happens on the fly as you smoke herb, but this also destroys up to 60% of THC which seems a waste tinctures avoid. A tincture keeps a lot more bio material intact, making this multi-step process for the world’s most dope martini worth the effort.

Vaping delivers more THC than smoking because it gently warms bud without combustion. The same principle is true for decarbing except the temps stay low enough not to vaporize THC. So, maximizing THC yield is best in the kitchen where time and heat deliver a fuller extraction.

Making Decarbed Weed

Decarbing happens at a temp too low to vaporize weed’s good stuff, but high enough to cause the reaction. Warming past 220º F is the key to powering your bud for liftoff.

Most decarbing recipes call for a temp of 240º F for 40 minutes for an ounce of weed. Anything over 250º will degrade the THC. Personally, Doc uses 235º F for 45 minutes for an ounce of weed.

Decarb = 1 oz. MJ + 240º F + 40 mins

The most common measure for a Weedtini is one cup of alcohol per quarter ounce. So, a half ounce for two cups, etc. For a stronger constitution, feel free to use more herb with less sugar. Your mileage may vary, so ‘season to taste.’

Decarb Weed Recipe

Note on heat: Decarbing weed can be done in a regular oven but the process will produce a weed smell (not as bad as smoking but definitely noticeable although it dissipates quickly). If concerned about odor, a portable toaster oven may lend itself to more remote decarbing.

The 420DC cannasugar recipe calls for 1 ounce of decarbed weed.

What You Need to Decarb Weed

An oven, 1 oz. weed., cookie sheet, parchment paper

1. Heat oven to 235º F / 115º C.
2. Break weed down by hand to pebble size. Not too fine, not too fat.
3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (foil can also work).
4. Spread weed evenly on the parchment paper in a single layer.
5. Heat for 45-60 minutes, stirring and rotating occasionally.
6. Let cool to room temperature.

Decarbed herb is considered “activated,” which means it is fully psychoactive. Going low and slow ensures you preserve as much of the plant’s cannabinoids like THC and CBD as possible.

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[READ ALSO: How Good Is DC Aroma?]

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Making Cannabis Vodka

Tinctures like cannabis vodka have been around for hundreds of years. Many of the cannabis concoctions from the early 1900s were tinctures. That’s because alcohol is an excellent solvent to extract cannabinoids and a great way to concentrate cannabis potency.

There are three schools of thought when it comes to making tinctures; Cool (room temperature), hot (infused quickly with heat) and cold (done in the freezer).

Using Tinctures for Edibles

The 420DC Weedtini recipe uses any of these tinctures to quickly infuse a libation. Which one works best for your cannabinoid vodka? Well, experimenting is half the fun.

PRO NOTE: Extraction works on more than cannabis! Flavor your tincture for therapy with orange rind, ginger, lavender or any other herbaceous element you like. Makes for a multi-layered Weedtini too!

Green Dragon Recipe (Cannabis Vodka)

The Green Dragon recipe normally calls for a higher proof grain alcohol, but tinctures vary by strengths, tastes and extraction. So, any alcohol can be used effectively and called a Green Dragon, the higher the proof the better the buzz.

The main consistency between all Green Dragon recipes is time. This extraction uses a lot of weed to make a very concentrated tincture but is still potable.

What You Need to Make Green Dragon

• A 1 qt. Canning jar with lid
• 1 oz. decarbed weed
• 2 Cups/150ml Vodka
• 12” sq. cheesecloth

Making Green Dragon

1. Place 1 oz. decarbed weed in a mason jar.
2. Fill the jar with Vodka, add more as needed to cover the weed.
3. Seal jar with lid so that it’s airtight.
4. Shake the jar, gently agitating the mixture inside.
5. Get used to that feeling. You’re going to agitate the mixture at least once a day for the next two weeks.
6. Store in a cool, dry place out of director light.
7. Strain mixture through cheesecloth capturing the plant material.
8. Squeeze remaining liquid out of plant matter into an airtight jar

PRO TIP: For greater filtration use a coffee filter to capture and save the plant matter which can be used for tea or baking.

Hot Green Dragon Recipe

This is a concentrated cannabis-vodka tincture that uses heat to speed the extraction. Instead of weeks, it can be hours or even minutes when doing small batches.

The Hot Green Dragon recipe normally calls for a higher proof grain alcohol, but this process works well with vodka for its potability. Grain alcohol martinis aren’t a thing; a harsh swallow followed by ever-burn after effects are better by the drop, not glass.

What You Need to Make Hot Green Dragon

• A 1 qt. Canning Jar with lid
• 1 oz. decarbed Weed
• 2 Cups/150ml Vodka
• 12” sq. Cheesecloth
• Slow cooker
• Water

Making Hot Green Dragon

1. Put 3-4 inches of Water into the Slow cooker. Heat on the lowest setting.
2. Place 1 oz. decarbed Weed inside a Canning Jar.
3. Fill the Jar with Vodka, add more as needed to cover the Weed.
4. Seal Jar with lid so that it’s airtight.
5. Submerge jar into Slow Cooker Water bath. Water should NOT cover the top of  the jar.

NOTE: you need to vent the jar every 30 minutes so fumes don’t build up. The cap helps keep alcohol from burning away and affecting taste.

1. Heat for 6-8 hours.
2. Strain mixture through cheesecloth capturing the plant material.
3. Squeeze remaining liquid out of plant matter

PRO TIP: For greater filtration use a coffee filter to capture and save the plant matter which can be used for tea or baking.

1. Allow to cool to room temperature.
2. Store in a clean airtight jar and seal with its lid.

Cold Green Dragon Recipe

This extraction method uses the freezer for this vodka cannabis tincture. Time is also of the essence and there are some PRO TIPs to improve your Cold Green Dragon tincture.

The Cold Green Dragon recipe normally calls for a higher proof grain alcohol, but this process works well with vodka for its potability.

Grain alcohol is too harsh a swallow followed by an unpleasant ever-burn after effect. A drop or two at a time sublingually is ok, mixed with good vodka in a Weedtini is a crime against nature.

What You Need to Make Cold Green Dragon

• 2- 1 qt. Canning Jars with lids
• 1 oz. decarbed Weed
• 3 Cups/150ml Vodka
• 12” sq. Cheesecloth
• Freezer

Making Cold Green Dragon

1. Place 1 oz. decarbed Weed inside a Canning Jar and seal with its lid.
2. Fill the other Canning Jar with Vodka and seal with lid.
3. Place both Jars in the coldest part of the freezer (usually the back, away from the door).
4. Wait from 1 to 3 hours, then pour the cold Vodka over the cold Weed and seal Jar with its lid.
5. Agitate the mixture gently, shaking several times like a snow globe. Do this at least once a day (more is better).
6. Freeze for 3-21 days.
7. Strain mixture through cheesecloth capturing the plant material.*
8. Squeeze remaining liquid out of plant matter
9. Allow to cool to room temperature.
10. Store in a clean airtight jar and seal with its lid.

*PRO TIP: For greater filtration use a coffee filter to capture and save the plant matter which can be used for tea or baking.

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[READ ALSO: How Long Does Weed Stay Good?]

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Making Cannabis Vodka Drinks

Making cannabis vodka tinctures opens the door to a library of libations. This spirit is the largest selling alcohol by volume in the U.S. Perhaps this is due to the many juices with which vodka pairs so well; orange, tomato and cranberry just to name a few.

The list of vodka drinks in the Bartender’s Bible are some of the famous cocktail names in the world; Screwdriver, Cosmopolitan and Bloody Mary are known even by tea teetotalers. And now we can add herbaceous goodness to the famous ingredients list with the Weedtini.

Sorry, Marajuini just sounds wrong.

Weedtini recipe

Now that you have your vodka cannabis tincture it’s time to experiment with the effects. You should try a drop dissolved sublingually (under the tongue) to gauge potency and flavor on its own. Add a few drops to a non-alcoholic drink to see how the flavors work.

Once you know how your tincture acts without liquor, it’s time to make your first Weedtini. This is a private recipe from Doc’s archive, perfected over countless matches with the cocktail shaker and eye droppers dripping milliliters of Green Dragon goodness.

A final note to the purists. I know shaking martinis isn’t preferred (for high end Vodkas especially), but this is a Weedtini so the rules change.

I use the James Bong method of shaking a Weedtini because a.) it sharpens any botanical flavors left in the tincture, b.) it gives the tincture a cloud of ice to ‘grab onto,’ and c.) it’s best to go slow and ice keeps the booze chilled a bit longer.

What You Need To Make a Vodka Cannabis Weedtini

• 3 Drops Green Dragon
• 1 oz. top shelf Vermouth
• 3 oz. chilled top shelf Vodka
• 2 Cups Ice
• Chilled metal Cocktail Shaker
• Chilled Martini Glass
• Bar towel

Making a Weedtini Vodka Cannabis Cocktail

1. Add 2 Cups of Ice to the Cocktail shaker.
2. Add 1 oz. Vermouth to Cocktail Shaker and shake once or twice to coat the ice.
3. Pour out Vermouth until the Cocktail Shaker drips.
4. Pour 3 oz. of Vodka to Cocktail Shaker.
5. Add 3 drops Green Dragon vodka cannabis tincture (adjust to taste & disposition)
6. Wrap Cocktail Shaker in a towel and shake until frosty on the outside (100 shakes or so).
7. Shake some more until freezing vapor makes it look like a mad science experiment.
8. Pour Weedtini into chilled Martini Glass and enjoy!

Will Vodka Cannabis Get Me High?

This is a trick question especially since you have two substances. There are too many other variables for a simple yes or no answer too. Potency, extraction, alcohol proof, tolerance, physiology and more all play a part as to how high one will get when consuming a vodka cannabis Weedtini.

Chances are, with the strength of our Green Dragon recipe, you will certainly feel the weed on top of the effects of the alcohol. So stay responsible, keep this at home and start low and slow to see how it goes. Then you can adjust the recipe for your tastes.

Using Vodka Cannabis

The tincture we created uses a neutral liquor with no botanicals so the Green Dragon botanicals shine. Vodka tinctures lend themselves to all flavors of herbs, food, syrups, juices and more. When infused with cannabis, a few drops of Vodka lend themselves to cannabis cocktails of all kinds.

Don’t forget that alcohol is a depressant and slows reaction time. Weed can have a similar effect depending on the THC level and terpenes present. Of course cannabis can also have a stimulating effect which will also affect your alcohol buzz. This is where experimentation helps.

I know people with tinctures to relax, tinctures to energize, tinctures to sleep all in their cupboard. But even the experts started somewhere, keeping in mind how vodka cannabis tinctures interact with the best from the bar.

To be safe, always start low and slow until you find your perfect zone, and keep it safe at home. Once you find strains that work well for you, you can make the Weedtini your own!