From Mocktails to Cocktails: Cannabis-Infused Drinks Hit Texas
Howdy, fellow Texans! Have you caught wind of the latest craze sweeping across the Lone Star State? I know folks in Austin are excited about cannabis beverages and how they may shake up the traditional drinking scene like never before.
Would you reduce or even give up alcoholic drinks for cannabis beverages? Let’s dive into the flavorful world of cannabis-infused drinks and see what all the buzz is about.
What is a Cannabis Beverage?
A cannabis beverage product may come in a variety of forms. Premixed canned drinks or liquid or powdered forms can be added to water, juice, coffee, tea, or any other beverage you choose.
How Are Cannabis Beverages Made?
Infusing cannabinoids into a powder is easy, but transforming it into a liquid form or water-soluble formulation is a complex process. That allows all the active cannabinoids to be infused into the beverage mixture.
The process for making cannabis beverages includes:
- Extracting cannabinoids.
- Decarboxylating or activating the cannabinoids to convert THC-A to THC.
- Infusion into a liquid base using emulsification in a carrier substance with even distribution of ingredients, including cannabinoids. Powdered mixtures are dried and processed.
- Added flavoring and ingredient enhancement. This can include adding cannabidiol (CBD), natural fruit flavors, or sweeteners such as stevia or sugar.
- Testing and quality control for product consistency and accurate cannabinoid content and THC potency measurement.
The last step is packaging and distribution. Because medical cannabis dispensaries in Texas are vertically integrated, companies like goodblend and Texas Original are required to cultivate, process, formulate, package, and sell their own products, including cannabis beverages.
Can You Get Intoxicated After Drinking Cannabis Beverages?
Anytime you consume something with Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, you will feel the physical and psychoactive effects of cannabinoids and terpenes. Texas has limited medical cannabis products to 1% THC; however, that is by product weight.
There is a misconception about medical cannabis potency in Texas. Last year, Texas Original launched the highest-potency edible available in the state: a 30-milligram gummy called Blueberry Lemonade. The product contains 450 mg of THC per container with 15 servings.
The level of intoxicating effects you may experience from a cannabis beverage depends on three things: your own established THC tolerance level, the potency of the product, and the quantity of product that you consume (serving size).
After speaking with patients in Texas who have tried some of the available cannabis-infused beverages, the feedback is positive. Many suggest that cannabis beverages can provide effective temporary relief of symptoms like chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and more.
One of the exciting things about cannabis-infused drinks is that they have a lower probability of causing hangover effects the following day, unlike alcoholic beverages and liquor. You can create your own mocktails, bubbly tonic, or seltzer at home.
What Kind of Cannabis Cocktails or Drinks Are Available in Texas?
When it comes to finding cannabis-infused beverages, the best and safest products are sold through a Texas medical marijuana dispensary. All products provided by local dispensaries go through stringent product testing and quality assurance tests for consumer safety.
There are other brands that have emerged in Texas that offer hemp-derived THC beverages. Currently, Delta-THC products, Kratom, HHC, and other synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoid products are legally sold in Texas. That includes cannabis-infused beverages such as liquid shots and seltzer drinks with flavors like pineapple, grapefruit, vanilla, lemon, strawberries, and other delicious mixed mocktails.
Sippin’ on Sunshine: Bayou City Hemp Company’s Ginger Beer
First up, let’s give a big Texas welcome to Bayou City Hemp Company. Take their ginger beer, for instance. Infused with just the right blend of THC and CBD, it’s a refreshing sip of sunshine that’ll have you coming back for more.
Ready-to-Drink Delights: Cannabis-Infused Seltzers and Canned Cocktails
If you’re looking for convenience without sacrificing flavor, look no further than cannabis-infused seltzers and canned cocktails. Picture cracking open a cold one on a hot Texas day. With brands like Topo Chico leading the way, offering sparkling water infused with cannabis flavors like grapefruit and rosemary, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to refreshing options.
Spec’s Wine & Spirits Now Carries Hi Seltzer Products
The Texas family-owned liquor store Spec’s has partnered with Hi Seltzer, a relatively new Delta-8 infused cannabis beverage. The low-dose cannabinoid concentration is compliant with current Texas laws. They are available now at over two hundred Spec’s stores across the state.
Why Demand is Growing for Cannabis Beverages
And it’s not just Texas that’s jumping on the cannabis bandwagon. Last year, sales of cannabis beverages across the United States hit record highs, with experts predicting even more growth in the years to come.
According to MJBiz Daily, sales of cannabis drinks in the United States rose by 40% in 2021. In 2022, total sales of cannabis beverages exceeded $200 million, compared to $71 million of products sold in Canada during the same year.
From coast to coast, folks are raising their glasses to this green revolution because awareness of the side effects and risks of consuming alcohol regularly is growing. Cannabis-infused beverages may be healthier and safer to use.
Creative Ways to Mix It Up With Cannabis Beverages
One of the best things about cannabis beverages? There are endless possibilities for mixing and matching flavors. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or just like to experiment with different ingredients, there’s something for everyone in the world of cannabis-infused drinks.
So why not get creative and whip up your own signature cocktail?
Cannabis Infused Popsicles
Get some popsicle molds and make some delicious treats you can enjoy in the Texas heat. There are many different recipes you can find online, from decadent creamy dessert popsicles to tart and refreshing options with lime juice or lemon juice.
If you have made “grown-up” popsicles with traditional spirits, creating your own cannabis-infused frozen treats is just as easy. Want to get fancy? Add some fresh fruit slices in the mix for some extra vitamins and fiber.
Highly Flavored Sweet Tea
Did Texas invent sweet tea? Residents of the Lonestar State are pretty sure we invented it, but it actually migrated from Georgia to Houston. While we can’t take credit for inventing sweet tea, it is nonetheless a beloved beverage. Try adding a THC mixture or liquid shot into the mix.
Infused Texas Ranch Water
One of the signature adult beverages in our state is Texas Ranch Water. If you haven’t tried it yet, it is the easiest cocktail you can make, that tastes similar to a skinny margarita, with only three ingredients. Substitute the alcohol with a cannabis infusion, and add lime juice and Topo Chico mineral water for a refreshing “beat the heat” adult beverage. Don’t forget the lime wedge to garnish.
Fun fact: the traditional favorite drink in Texas originated with cowboys, who wanted some cool rehydration with a little kick. Texas Ranch Water is believed to have originated at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas.
Are Texas Bars and Restaurants Permitted to Serve Them?
It will probably be a long time before we see bars or venues in Texas serving cannabis-infused beverages as an alternative to alcoholic drinks. However, the demand for that healthier alternative is growing.
In the meantime, you can visit your local Texas medical cannabis dispensary and try them out. Experiment at home with some soda water or other flavored combinations.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers since 2016. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his experience in healthcare. For more than 20 years, Aaron has owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to provide relief to all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.