People are dreaming of buying weed in theaters, and there is a buzz of excitement in California as cafes take hold. Many are ready for the social aspect of cannabis legalization to take root. This opens the door for public consumption, but not everyone is a smoker. The weed heads will always be down to light a joint, but newcomers may look for something more familiar–like a cannabis cocktail.
Cafes are often barred from selling alcohol, but weed spirits could do a similar job. Many options are on the market. I recently tried three of them–including the brand new BREZ Spirit and longtime faves Pamos Signature Spirit and MXXN. Each offers THC in a unique package that can be shaken or stirred.
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Makings of a cannabis cocktail
Making a delicious cannabis cocktail comes down to a few key components. First rule: always taste the spirits before choosing ingredients. Some are sweeter, while others aim to add a liquor flavor sans booze. Those stocking a bar cart for THC spirits should get the usual suspects, like sugar syrups and bitters, for their creations.
A shaker, stirrer spoon, and jigger are very helpful, too. I don’t have these items, but a repurposed mason jar to shake up their cocktails with ice, a traditional spoon, and a shot glass work, too. After getting the bar cart in order, it’s time to select the spirits, and I have some opinions.
BREZ Cannabis and mushroom-infused spirit
BREZ has been selling THC and lion’s mane seltzers for some time, but the Spirit is new. Each 750 mL bottle contains 75 milligrams of THC, 160 mg of CBD, and 2200 mg of lion’s mane. It’ll run you $69.
A candied smell wafted out when I opened the bottle, but the flavor was far more similar to raw alcohol than sweet. I’d say it tastes most like gin. This makes it easy to swap in and out of cocktail recipes without factoring in extra sweetness.
The new THC spirit is a worthy choice for those who value flavor and enjoy cannabis cocktails. One shot is dosed to be five mg of THC, an amount that often creates a solid social stone for a regular consumer. Those who want to tone it down can add half a shot for a microdose. The effects kick in quickly, and a bit of mellow euphoria–great vibes for a game night. These are available where hemp THC products can be purchased.
MXXN THC Spirits
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This was one of the first cannabis spirit lines, and MXXN has multiple liquor dupes available throughout California. The brand sells Kentucky Oak, London Dry, and Jalisco Agave, which are meant to taste similar to bourbon, gin, and tequila. MXXN also carries a cocktail kit with one drink-worth of each and a mixer. A full bottle contains 100 mg of THC per 750 mL, equating to four mg of THC per serving and costs around $80.
MXXN captures the biting qualities of alcohol in each formulation, making it a solid contender to replace liquor in many traditional recipes. I felt relaxed but not sleepy about 15 minutes after my first sip. Those in California may want to check out MXXN for their bar cart for the next dinner party.
Pamos Signature Spirit
Pamos has some excellent canned cannabis versions of Palomas, Bellinis, Margaritas, and Ranch Water. However, those who prefer to do it themselves may grab a bottle of hemp THC-infused Pamos Signature Spirit.
The brand has three liqueurs, including the mid-level Spirit I tried with 80 mg of THC and 32 CBD in the bottle for $45. The Microdose clocks 32 mg each of THC and CBD for $100. Lastly, the Reserve bottle contains the most cannabinoids, boasting 160 mg of THC with 32 mg of CBD. Each uses the same recipe aside from cannabinoid content, and the bitters are covered.
This cannabis spirit contains citrus alongside angostura bitters, a flavor that comes through quickly. There is something floral that hits the nose after a sip that I first found off-putting but have come to enjoy–an experience that reminds me of trying alcohol.
Pamos Signature can be sipped solo or mixed into a cocktail with flavor like this and starts to kick in about 10 minutes after enjoying. This is a worthwhile addition to the bar cart, but sip a sample or smaller bottle first before diving in to check if the flavor is right for you.
Drink your weed, with class
There are tons of different ways to enjoy a high, and cannabis drinks are a rising favorite. As more people decide to try cannabis, there is a desire for relatable products. Many are used to drinking alcohol at parties, so THC seltzers and cannabis cocktails are a natural choice for newcomers and the canna-curious. These spirits offer an option for the home bartender interested in expanding their bar cart.
