Drinks with CBD — CBD Cocktails

The work day’s over, and relaxation time is right around the corner. What better way to celebrate than with some delicious CBD cocktails?

That’s right! This article is all about putting a little bit of extra happy into your Happy Hour with a delightful dose of some of our favorite CBD products. We’ll cover flavor pairings, safety information, and even supply a few of our office’s absolute favorite CBD cocktails.

So let’s dive in, raise our glasses, and offer a “Cheers!” to some of the most delicious CBD drinks in town. 

A Note on Responsible Use

It’s important to consider whether CBD and alcohol can interact by strengthening or reducing each others’ effects. Unfortunately, little formal research has been done on the interaction between these two substances, but available research does show some interesting results:

• CBD does not seem to directly affect alcohol intoxication.
• CBD may mildly reduce the BAC but may not proportionally reduce intoxication.
• CBD and alcohol both can reduce anxiety in the short term, and taking them together may compound this effect; however, alcohol should never be used as a way to self-medicate for anxiety.

For more on the available research, see our Guide to Alcohol and CBD.

As always with alcoholic beverages, do not drive after drinking CBD cocktails, and please drink responsibly.

Choosing the Right Type of CBD Products

Creating a perfect cocktail is all about balancing flavors, and finding the right flavor of CBD oil can make all the difference in the world. There are generally two schools of thought on CBD cocktail pairings, but we have a third proposal as well.

Going Flavorless

Let’s face it: sometimes, there’s no improving on perfection. If you’ve perfected a traditional cocktail and wouldn’t dream of altering its flavor profile, then the solution is clear: using an unflavored CBD product.

But there’s something important to keep in mind: even “unflavored” CBD oils tend to have a taste of their own. Namely, a hint of hemp’s rich, earthy flavor.

That is: even “unflavored” oils may change the taste of your favorite cocktail recipe.

If you’re looking to minimize the taste of your CBD products, there are two good options:

• Making your drinks with CBD isolate powder should have virtually zero impact on the taste of your CBD cocktail.
• Use a CBD tincture made with CBD isolate rather than full or broad spectrum CBD. CBD isolate tinctures have extracts from fewer parts of the hemp plant and, as a result, have a less noticeable flavor.

Choosing a Complementary Flavor

The CBD products you use don’t have to be part of the background! Why not let the flavor of your CBD tinctures become an integral part of your CBD cocktail’s flavor profile?

There’s a positively massive variety of flavors available in CBD tinctures, and there’s something to complement virtually any cocktail recipe imaginable.

You can always try to match the flavor of your cocktail — say, by adding a lime flavored CBD tincture to a mojito or a vanilla mocha CBD tincture to an Irish coffee.

Alternatively, you could get creative and choose a complementary flavor instead. For instance, a bit of lemon ginger CBD tincture can turn a simple vodka soda into a complex, savory, and truly unique potable!

Again, making the perfect cocktail is all about balancing flavors. Because CBD tinctures can bring so much distinctive flavor into the mix, why not make them an intrinsic part of your CBD drink’s flavor profile?

Going Water-Soluble

In its natural state, CBD is not water-soluble. That means that your CBD cocktails will eventually separate, with the CBD extract they contain rising to the top of your beverage.

That’s likely not going to be a problem for most cocktail drinkers. After all, by the time you’ve downed your beverage, you’ll have drunk the entire CBD content as well, regardless of whether it’s fully integrated into the cocktail itself.

But for others, this may not be acceptable. Whether you’re mixing a pitcher of your CBD cocktail or simply want to ensure that the CBD dose is evenly distributed throughout, there’s only one truly ideal solution:

Use water-soluble CBD.

That’s right! Certain brands, such as CBD Living, use water soluble or “nano” CBD in their products. This is a specially treated type of CBD, which has been chemically altered so as to blend perfectly with water. It’s the perfect solution for the CBD cocktail enthusiast looking for a perfectly mixed option!

Make Happy Hour Extra Happy With These CBD Cocktail Recipes

With the above tips, you should be well-equipped to make your own delicious CBD cocktail creations. But if you’re looking for some sure-fire palate pleasers? Well, we’ve got you covered, too.

Here you’ll find some innovative, CBD-infused twists on a few classic cocktail recipes, and they’re a great way to get your CBD Happy Hour started off right!

Tropical Lychee CBD Martini

A flavorful and playful twist on the timeless vodka martini, this taste sensation is sure to please. We’re using a classic lychee martini recipe as our base and pairing it with a Lychee Lemon Kiwi Flavored CBD Oil.

The result is a subtle, complex, and utterly delicious cocktail that will have you eager for your next sip.

What You’ll Need:

• Cocktail shaker
• Lychee juice, lychee nectar, or (for the bold) a lychee flavored liqueur
• Vodka
• Vermouth
• CBDfx Lychee Lemon Kiwi CBD Oil or preferred CBD product

How to Make Tropical Lychee CBD Martini

1. Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
2. In shaker, combine:
   1. 1 part vermouth
   2. 4 parts vodka
   3. 6 parts lychee juice, nectar, or liqueur
   4. Desired dose of CBD.
3. Shake vigorously for approximately 20 seconds.
4. Strain into a cocktail glass and enjoy.

CBD Infused London Mule

Crisp, effervescent, citrus and ginger delight. The London Mule is a summertime classic. Add CBD into the mix, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

The CBD pairing for this drink is extremely versatile. We’re going to be going with a lemon and ginger tincture for these CBD cocktails, which adds a nice complement to the drink’s citrus taste and reinforces the distinctive ginger bite.

But don’t be afraid to branch out! In fact, this drink is particularly well suited to complement hemp’s natural, earthy taste, making a full spectrum CBD tincture a great flavor pairing for those looking for some more rugged flavor notes!

And, just as with a traditional mule, note that you can customize the liquor you use — Substitute vodka to make a Moscow Mule, bourbon for a Kentucky Mule, etc. Enjoy!

What You’ll Need:

• Gin
• Lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Social CBD Lemon Ginger Tincture or preferred CBD product

How to Make CBD Infused Kentucky Mule

1. Fill a mule mug or highball glass partway with ice.
2. Add:
   1. 1 part lime juice
   2. 4 parts gin
   3. 6 parts ginger beer
   4. Desired dose of CBD.
3. Stir gently and enjoy.

CBD Matcha Whiskey Highball

For this next one, we’re getting a bit more imaginative. The highball is one of the most versatile drinks out there, and the possible combinations are virtually endless.

Here, we’re jazzing up a classic whiskey highball with a surprisingly complementary flavor: matcha green tea.

The result is a surprising, bold, and utterly unique flavor combination that’s sure to please and impress.

If you’re looking to experiment with something refreshing, uplifting, and new, then this CBD Matcha Whiskey Highball is for you.

What You’ll Need:

• Cocktail shaker
• (Preferably Japanese) whiskey
• Lemon juice
• Honey syrup
• CBD Living’s CBD-Infused Matcha Tea Powder or traditional matcha
• If using traditional matcha, preferred CBD product
• Club soda, chilled

How to Make CBD Matcha Whiskey Highball

1. In cocktail shaker, combine:
   1. 1 part lemon juice
   2. 1 part honey syrup
   3. 4 parts whiskey
   4. ¼ teaspoon of matcha powder
   5. Desired dose of other CBD product, if using.
2. Shake vigorously.
3. Fill highball glass partially with ice, then pour contents of shaker into glass
4. If Matcha powder remains in shaker, add 6 parts club soda to shaker and gently swirl, then pour on top of cocktail. Otherwise, simply pour 6 parts club soda onto cocktail.
5. Stir gently and enjoy.