Cannabis seltzers and cocktails offer a fun buzz without the potential for spins and nasty hangovers. The rise of the hemp-based THC market spawned an array of liquid offerings, and each has a niche. Certain beverages add euphoric herbs, specialty cannabinoids, or dupe a traditional cocktail.
In honor of the made-up but worthwhile national holiday Margarita Day, GreenState compiled a list of some margaritas with weed instead of tequila.
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All about Señorita cannabis margaritas
Señorita, an award-winning THC drink line made by Second Nature, offers a weedy alternative to a margarita. The memorable, delicious flavor may be thanks to the ingredients and expert winemaker creators.
Agave sweetens these margarita dupes rather than popular chemically manufactured options like stevia or corn syrup. This earns them an immediate plus in my book, as I can be sensitive to sugars–too much leads to a monumental headache.
Real lime juice, Himalayan sea salt, and jalapeño work together in one can, while totapuri mangoes graced the fruitier version. And, of course, each has a healthy dose of either five or 10 milligrams of hemp-derived delta-9 THC. The citrus is subtle but bright in the Lime, and the tangy tropical mango flavor is layered and prominent in every sip.
These real ingredients translate into the flavor, and the effects are swift. I consider including quality ingredients a good sign when weed is in the picture. If a company uses the lowest-grade ingredients, I imagine that same care may go into their weed and hemp sourcing. These fears never manifested with these margs–the flavor is far from artificial. The effervescence is mild, Señorita tickles the mouth rather than erupts.
Señorita weed margarita is fast-acting, that is for sure. After half a can, my brain is no longer tense, and my eyes feel heavy. It is a perfect sip after work, dinner, and toddler bedtime is finally over. The downside? My mouth became the Sahara. Have water nearby when drinking this cannabis cocktail. It is also a larger beverage, so those who want a quicker sip might opt for sharing the 10 mg with a friend for more THC per ounce.
Second Nature knocked it out of the park with Señorita from flavor to effects. It is no wonder the beverages have won multiple awards. I would have given them a blue ribbon, too.
Pamos cannabis margarita dupe is a winner
Cannabis liquor brand Pamos takes an alternative approach to the classic cocktail with a Strawberry Margarita Spritz. The highball can contain 10 mg of hemp-derived THC and 2 mg of CBD, creating a groovy vibe once it’s emptied. Pamos makes various cocktail-inspired canned drinks, including a Bellini, Mai-Tai, Long Island Iced Tea, and Ranch Water. They also carry weed liquor for those who like to craft their weed beverages.
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When it comes to the Margarita this drink transports me poolside. Sweet and tangy salted key lime juice hits first, followed by a whisper of fresh strawberries. The bubbles are mild, and the sweetness is not overtly candied. Simply put: it tastes good, likely thanks to the lack of artificial sweeteners or flavors. Pamos margaritas are sweetened with cane sugar, which I consider a wonderful alternative to chemical-based options.
The effects are lovely, kicking in quickly and bringing a subdued but social air to whatever space I occupied. I mostly drink cannabis drinks while unwinding after the day is done but would be comfortable enjoying this at a small dinner party where socializing is imperative. It does not feel like it would remove my ability to make chit-chat, while more heavily dosed drinks might.
Pamos has been a staple in the “weed goes alcohol” division of the legal industry, and this drink shows why. The balance of the strawberry flavor in the formulation is expert-level, and the effects are heavy enough to be noticed but not too intense to deter someone from being social. Overall, those who want something a little extra fruity might consider this infused margarita alternative.
This marg takes you straight to the MXXN
Another big player in cannabis liquor is MXXN, a brand formerly based solely in California that has since branched out into the hemp THC space. The Jalisco Agave is a play on tequila, making it ripe for creating a cannabis margarita.
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MXXN sent me a little jar of citrus juice, salt, and simple syrup for an easy make-at-home cannabis cocktail. The cannabis component contained eight mg of THC. They sell the blend in their MXXN Cocktail Kit, which also comes with ingredients for weed “gin” and tonic, as well as a Starwalker Cider.
The marg was easy to make. I poured the two liquids together and stirred them before pouring them over ice. These would be even better shaken over ice, but I was out of ice the night I made posole, so I had mine stirred. The first sip tasted so intense, like grain alcohol masquerading as something sweet. After trying each ingredient by itself, it became clear that this was the moon.
As I blended chilis into the pozole broth and sipped my weed margarita, the flavor started to remind me more of a Cadillac margarita with a heavy pour. This is the perfect replacement for people who like the crisp bite of an alcoholic beverage but don’t want to drink booze.
The effects were not too intense. I finished cooking our meal and didn’t pass out right after the task was complete. All eight milligrams hit me just right, but some may want to start with half to a third of this. I felt relaxed but not inebriated–perfect for an active evening or social gathering.
People who like a sweeter drink might want to stick with the pre-canned beverages. Meanwhile, anyone who wants a more alcohol-centric experience might opt for MXXN.
Not all margaritas have tequila
Not drinking tequila these days? That doesn’t always mean you have to skip National Margarita Day. This year, maybe the cocktails will omit alcohol and add some extra green. I enjoyed each of these weed margaritas for their reasons. Señorita is a simply great marg, Pamos offers a fruity poolside vibe, and MXXN caters to the purists. Grab a cannabis drink this year and enjoy this tequila-forward holiday without the hangover.
