The newest trend among mixologists is to offer CBD-infused cocktails, and the result is absolutely fabulous. CBD is the non-psychoactive cousin of cannabis which doesn’t get you high but does give you some of the other benefits, including relief from stress and anxiety – something we’re all feeling a little more than usual in today’s trying times. We asked some mixologists and producers of CBD for their favorite recipes.
Why put CBD in your drinks? First of all, there is a “Wow” factor involved, and everybody at your dinner party will want to try it. It is safe of course, to mix alcohol and CBD in moderation, and the combination is certainly relaxing and great for countering that anxiety. There are also some anecdotal reports that CBD may counter some of the negative effects of drinking.
When choosing a CBD product to use with your cocktails, keep in mind oils don’t mix well, so a tincture will work better, if you don’t want your fanciful cocktail look like an oil slick. Also, keep in mind, the flavor-infused CBD products may be better here too, since pure CBD really doesn’t taste that good. And if that’s not enough, you have one final decision to make, whether to use an isolate or full-spectrum CBD product. Both have their own benefits.
First of all, THE VIVANT’s own mixologist (yours truly) recently put together The Vivant’s Chocolate CBD Martini, and this made our cocktail hour in our home office a true delight. Here’s our recipe:
THE VIVANT’s Pachamama Chocolate CBD Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vanilla-infused vodka
- 1-1/2 ounces crème de cacao
- Pachamama Goji Cacao full spectrum hemp extract
- Chocolate shavings
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar
Instructions: Combine equal amounts of cocoa powder and sugar and place it on a small plate. Gently wet the rim of the glass with a bit of vodka, then swirl it lightly in the cocoa mix to coat the rim. Combine vodka, crème de cacao and just a few drops of CBD in a shaker with ice and shake until cold, and pour into the martini glass. I used PACHAMAMA’s Goji Cacao full spectrum hemp extract, which made a nice complement to the crème de cacao. Sprinkle a few chocolate shavings on top of the drink and serve.
I especially like the Pachamama CBD, since it’s one of four companies to get The Clean Label Project’s Purity Award. Their products are made with naturally sourced ingredients and fair trade. And very importantly, it’s tested by an independent lab – always recommended for any CBD product. Besides the Goji Cacao, they also have two others that go well with cocktails: Kava Kava Valerian, and Green Tea Echinacea, both full spectrum extracts.
Wintertime CBD Sangria from Ojai Energetics
Being a reformed California hippie myself, I couldn’t resist having a look in Ojai, where Ojai Energetics has a USDA Certified Organic CB Elixir, and they were kind enough to give me their recipe for CBD Sangria:
Ingredients
- 2 bottles Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 cup of orange juice
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 1 pear, diced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, sliced into chunks
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 4 sticks of cinnamon
- 8 droppers of Ojai Full Spectrum Hemp Elixir
- 1 bottle of Champagne, ginger ale or seltzer
- Ice, for serving
How to Make It: Mix all ingredients up through the hemp elixir in a large pitcher. Stir, then refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, add ice to glasses and fill with sangria, leaving a bit of room at the top for Champagne or the fizzy drink of your choice. Enjoy!
CBD Grapefruit White Wine Spritzer from CBDistillery
Great for summer! Carly Swan, mixologist at CBDistillery, shared this one with me.
CBD Grapefruit White Wine Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 1 oz vodka
- 6 oz white wine
- 3-4 oz club soda
- 2 oz grapefruit juice, freshly squeeze
- Slice of grapefruit
- Sprig of rosemary
- CBDistillery’s CBDelicious Formulation Powder
Directions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add the grapefruit vodka, wine and grapefruit juice.
- Add your desired amount of CBDistillery’s CBDelicious Formulation Powder. Shake.
- Fill a wine glass halfway with ice garnish with slices of grapefruit and a spring of rosemary.
- Pour the cocktail mixture over the ice, top with club soda and enjoy!
Mango Pineapple Mimosa by Chef Pete
I love a good mimosa, and probably the best one I’ve ever had was in Las Vegas at the fabulous Venetian resort. Chef Pete, founder of Las Vegas’ first vegan restaurant, works with The Hemp Division cold drinks, including the very tasty Spark, a sparkling, CBD-infused elixir with just a splash of fruit juice. Very refreshing on a hot summer day! Chef Pete shared this recipe with me:
- 4 Tbsp small diced pineapple
- 2 oz Prairie organic vodka
- ½ ea. Lemon, juiced
- ½ ea. Orange, juiced
- 1 oz simple syrup (1/2 cup organic cane sugar, ½ cup water)
- ¼ oz fresh ginger juice
- Orange Mango Spark
In a shaker, muddle the pineapple then add vodka, lemon and orange juice and simple syrup. Shake well with ice to chill it then strain it into a champagne glass. Top off with chilled refreshing bubbly Mango Orange Spark.
