Racers! Put on your cheap sunglasses and start your crushed-ice engines. The heat is up, the AC is on, and it’s time to get down. There’s absolutely no need for speed. None.
“Summer… It turns me upside down
Summer, summer, summer… It’s like a merry-go-round”
Adult beverage’ing has strolled barefoot out of turn four, crossed the finish line, and is headed straight for the winner’s circle – in the shade, of course.
Grab your straws and checkered flags. Let’s turn this upside down.
Note: This is Part 2 of a Two-part Series.
Recap – Part 1
In “Summer Sips: Cannabis Cocktails – Part 1”, after a surprisingly enjoyable history lesson, you mastered decarbing, and infusing, to create s cannabis-infused base. And now? Now it’s time to turn that elixir into some “uh-oh, it’s magic” cocktails.
Whether you’re mellowin’ out by the pool or hosting a chill backyard gathering, these recipes will elevate your canna-awareness. From bright and zesty to cozy and crafty, we’ve got delicious covered under, sideways, down.
Important
Don’t forget The Golden Rule of Cannabis Edibles (and Drinkables): To maximize the buzz, pair what you’re sipping with foods rich in fats. We’re talking fries. Rich cheeses. Or – screw it – go all in… cheese fries. You get the idea.
And if you don’t want to get hit too hard by the buzz, then avoid the fatty foods, before, during, and a bit after your 420 pitstop.
10x Important
Please consume responsibly. Never consume and drive, operate heavy machinery, etc.
Cocktail Recipes From Arete’s In-House Canna-ologist
A Friendly Reminder – These recipes are intended as guidelines, not rules. Feel free to experiment and adjust ratios and ingredients to fit your taste. Besides, rules were made to be broken anyway. Loosen up McFly, this is a harmless chance to express your creativity. Failure is an option.
Citrus Sunrise Spritz
This one’s low-lift but high-reward; citrusy but bitter just enough to keep you adulting. Pro tip: For something extra special, freeze some rosemary in your ice cubes the night before.
Fill a rocks glass with ice and pour in all the ingredients. Stir gently. Top with sparkling water and garnish with the orange and rosemary.
[1] Want it less bitter? Skip the Aperol and just add a splash more OJ. Still delicious, just a little sweeter and brighter.
Spicy Paloma Verde
If you want to skip the heat, leave out the jalapeño; it’s still bright and refreshing. Cilantro simple syrup adds a unique twist that makes this a perennial stand out.
Flavor Profile – Crisp, herbal, with a heated kick
Vibe – Fresh, zesty, and slightly adventurous
Ingredients
2 oz Cannabis-infused tequila (or agave-based spirit)
1 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz cilantro simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, infused with fresh cilantro)
Optional: pinch of chopped jalapeño or similar
Top with grapefruit soda or fresh grapefruit juice + club soda
Shake the tequila, lime juice, cilantro syrup, and jalapeño with ice. Strain into a salted-rim glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice and club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge and cilantro sprig.
Luxury Lavender Lemon Collins
Lavender syrup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. Or, of course, you can buy it. Either way, the floral notes pair beautifully with citrus and cannabis terpenes for a truly elevated sip.
1 oz lavender syrup (made by infusing simple syrup with dried lavender)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
Top with club soda
Optional garnish: lemon wheel, dried lavender
Instructions
Shake the spirit, lavender syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and add garnish if desired.
Chocolate Mint Nightcap
Think of it as a grown-up milkshake with a buzz. You can skip the cream if you prefer it neat, or add more for a softer, smoother finish. Great after a meal or on a quiet night on the deck.
Shake all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a coupe or lowball glass. Add garnish if you’re feeling fancy.
Tropical Mai Tai (Canna Style)
This one’s a classic for a reason. The orgeat brings a creamy almond richness that plays nicely with fruity or gassy terps. Want to make a batch? Mix everything but the float ahead of time and serve over ice when ready.
Flavor Profile: Fruity, nutty, vacation-mode
Vibe: Island chill, golden hour, loud shirt encouraged
Ingredients
1 oz cannabis-infused light rum
1 oz cannabis-infused dark rum (or float it on top)
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz orange curaçao
0.5 oz orgeat (almond syrup)
Optional garnish: mint sprig, pineapple wedge, cocktail umbrella if you’re that person
Instructions
Shake everything except the dark rum with ice. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Gently float the dark rum on top. Add garnish and pretend you’re somewhere with waves.
Quick Tips
Strength Check – Dial in your cannabis base to match your tolerance. (Start low, sip slow, you know the drill.)
Terp Pairing – Match your strains with the flavor vibe of the cocktail, or vice versa.
Make It a Mocktail – Swap in cannabis-infused lemonade or iced tea for a zero-proof base if you’re skipping alcohol but still want a magical elevated .
Batch It – Hosting? Pre-mix the non-carbonated parts and let guests build their own over ice. Just label clearly so no one gets a surprise buzz.
Final Lap: A Few Tips Before You Cruise
These five cocktails are more than just drinks; they’re a vibe. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or kicking back post-dinner, you’ve got options that can showcase your cannabis infusion in fun, flavorful ways. These recipes are a mouth-watering way to treat yourself and your friends, make new friends, and win the enjoyment race.
So stay cool, stay curious, and once again… please consume responsibly.
“(Uh-oh, it’s magic) uh-oh, when I’m with you (Oh, it’s magic, uh-oh, it’s magic) Just a little bit of the magic (gotta be magic) Pulls me through I gotta hold on you…”
Summer Sips: Cannabis Cocktails – Part 2
Racers! Put on your cheap sunglasses and start your crushed-ice engines. The heat is up, the AC is on, and it’s time to get down. There’s absolutely no need for speed. None.
“Summer… It turns me upside down
Summer, summer, summer… It’s like a merry-go-round”
Adult beverage’ing has strolled barefoot out of turn four, crossed the finish line, and is headed straight for the winner’s circle – in the shade, of course.
Grab your straws and checkered flags. Let’s turn this upside down.
Note: This is Part 2 of a Two-part Series.
Recap – Part 1
In “Summer Sips: Cannabis Cocktails – Part 1”, after a surprisingly enjoyable history lesson, you mastered decarbing, and infusing, to create s cannabis-infused base. And now? Now it’s time to turn that elixir into some “uh-oh, it’s magic” cocktails.
Whether you’re mellowin’ out by the pool or hosting a chill backyard gathering, these recipes will elevate your canna-awareness. From bright and zesty to cozy and crafty, we’ve got delicious covered under, sideways, down.
Important
Don’t forget The Golden Rule of Cannabis Edibles (and Drinkables): To maximize the buzz, pair what you’re sipping with foods rich in fats. We’re talking fries. Rich cheeses. Or – screw it – go all in… cheese fries. You get the idea.
And if you don’t want to get hit too hard by the buzz, then avoid the fatty foods, before, during, and a bit after your 420 pitstop.
10x Important
Please consume responsibly. Never consume and drive, operate heavy machinery, etc.
Cocktail Recipes From Arete’s In-House Canna-ologist
A Friendly Reminder – These recipes are intended as guidelines, not rules. Feel free to experiment and adjust ratios and ingredients to fit your taste. Besides, rules were made to be broken anyway. Loosen up McFly, this is a harmless chance to express your creativity. Failure is an option.
Citrus Sunrise Spritz
This one’s low-lift but high-reward; citrusy but bitter just enough to keep you adulting. Pro tip: For something extra special, freeze some rosemary in your ice cubes the night before.
Flavor Profile – Bright, refreshing, slightly bitter
Vibe – Poolside, sunglasses-on, mid-afternoon chill
Ingredients
Instructions
Fill a rocks glass with ice and pour in all the ingredients. Stir gently. Top with sparkling water and garnish with the orange and rosemary.
[1] Want it less bitter? Skip the Aperol and just add a splash more OJ. Still delicious, just a little sweeter and brighter.
Spicy Paloma Verde
If you want to skip the heat, leave out the jalapeño; it’s still bright and refreshing. Cilantro simple syrup adds a unique twist that makes this a perennial stand out.
Flavor Profile – Crisp, herbal, with a heated kick
Vibe – Fresh, zesty, and slightly adventurous
Ingredients
Instructions
Shake the tequila, lime juice, cilantro syrup, and jalapeño with ice. Strain into a salted-rim glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice and club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge and cilantro sprig.
Luxury Lavender Lemon Collins
Lavender syrup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. Or, of course, you can buy it. Either way, the floral notes pair beautifully with citrus and cannabis terpenes for a truly elevated sip.
Flavor Profile – Floral, tangy, elegant
Vibe – Sophisticated, light, and refreshing
Ingredients
Instructions
Shake the spirit, lavender syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and add garnish if desired.
Chocolate Mint Nightcap
Think of it as a grown-up milkshake with a buzz. You can skip the cream if you prefer it neat, or add more for a softer, smoother finish. Great after a meal or on a quiet night on the deck.
Flavor Profile – Rich, minty, dessert-y
Vibe – End-of-day indulgence, couch-ready
Ingredients
Instructions
Shake all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a coupe or lowball glass. Add garnish if you’re feeling fancy.
Tropical Mai Tai (Canna Style)
This one’s a classic for a reason. The orgeat brings a creamy almond richness that plays nicely with fruity or gassy terps. Want to make a batch? Mix everything but the float ahead of time and serve over ice when ready.
Flavor Profile: Fruity, nutty, vacation-mode
Vibe: Island chill, golden hour, loud shirt encouraged
Ingredients
Instructions
Shake everything except the dark rum with ice. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Gently float the dark rum on top. Add garnish and pretend you’re somewhere with waves.
Quick Tips
Strength Check – Dial in your cannabis base to match your tolerance. (Start low, sip slow, you know the drill.)
Terp Pairing – Match your strains with the flavor vibe of the cocktail, or vice versa.
Make It a Mocktail – Swap in cannabis-infused lemonade or iced tea for a zero-proof base if you’re skipping alcohol but still want a magical elevated .
Batch It – Hosting? Pre-mix the non-carbonated parts and let guests build their own over ice. Just label clearly so no one gets a surprise buzz.
Final Lap: A Few Tips Before You Cruise
These five cocktails are more than just drinks; they’re a vibe. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or kicking back post-dinner, you’ve got options that can showcase your cannabis infusion in fun, flavorful ways. These recipes are a mouth-watering way to treat yourself and your friends, make new friends, and win the enjoyment race.
So stay cool, stay curious, and once again… please consume responsibly.
“(Uh-oh, it’s magic) uh-oh, when I’m with you
(Oh, it’s magic, uh-oh, it’s magic)
Just a little bit of the magic (gotta be magic)
Pulls me through
I gotta hold on you…”