This comprehensive guide will take you through creating your own THC tincture, turning it into a cannabis-infused syrup, and using it to make THC-infused sodas that you can enjoy. We’ll cover everything from the traditional methods of making tinctures to fast-track methods, perfect for those looking to make quick cannabis-infused drinks.

Part 1: Making THC Tincture

THC tincture is a versatile cannabis extract that can be used in drinks, edibles, or taken on its own. It’s a great way to create a long-lasting, easy-to-dose form of THC. There are two methods to make a THC tincture—an alcohol-based tincture and a glycerin-based tincture. We’ll also discuss a quick infusion method if you’re short on time.

What is a THC Tincture?

A THC tincture is a liquid cannabis extract made by soaking decarboxylated cannabis in a solvent, like alcohol or glycerin, to dissolve the cannabinoids (THC and other compounds). The resulting liquid is potent, easy to store, and can be added to drinks, foods, or consumed sublingually (under the tongue).

Alcohol-Based THC Tincture (Traditional Method)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz cannabis flower (decarboxylated, which means it’s been activated for THC)

• 1 cup high-proof alcohol (Everclear, 190-proof or higher)

Tools:

• Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid

• Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer

• Dropper bottle (for storage)

• Grinder

• Oven and baking sheet

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Decarboxylate Your Cannabis:

Decarboxylation is the process of heating your cannabis to activate the THC, turning THCA (non-psychoactive) into THC, which is psychoactive. This is a crucial step when making any cannabis tincture.

• Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).

• Lightly grind your cannabis. You want the pieces to be small but not too fine.

• Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

• Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. The cannabis will turn a light golden-brown color when it’s ready.

2. Combine the Cannabis and Alcohol:

• Once the cannabis is decarboxylated, place it in a clean glass jar.

• Pour in enough alcohol to cover the cannabis completely, about 1 cup of high-proof alcohol per ounce of cannabis.

• Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously.

3. Let It Infuse:

• Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks. Shake the jar daily to help the alcohol extract the THC from the cannabis.

• For best results, let it sit for up to 2 weeks, but you can start using the tincture after a few days if you need a quicker solution.

4. Strain and Store:

• After the tincture has infused for your desired amount of time, use cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to separate the plant material from the liquid.

• Squeeze the cheesecloth to get as much liquid out as possible.

• Transfer the tincture to a dropper bottle for easy dosing. Properly stored, the tincture can last for months.

Quick Infusion Method: How to Speed Up the Tincture Process

If you don’t want to wait 1-2 weeks for your tincture to be ready, there’s a quicker method using heat to speed up the infusion process. Be very careful when using alcohol and heat together, as alcohol is highly flammable. This method is often referred to as the “Green Dragon” tincture method.

Ingredients and Tools:

• Same as the traditional method, but you’ll need a double boiler or sous vide machine to safely heat the alcohol and cannabis mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Quick Infusion:

1. Decarboxylate Your Cannabis:

Follow the decarboxylation steps above.

2. Combine Cannabis and Alcohol:

• Place your decarboxylated cannabis in a glass jar.

• Add enough alcohol to cover the cannabis fully.

3. Heat to Speed Up the Process:

• Double Boiler Method:

• Fill the bottom of a double boiler with water and place the top section over it (or use a saucepan on top of another larger pan).

• Add the jar with the alcohol-cannabis mixture to the top of the double boiler.

• Keep the heat low (below 170°F or 75°C) and stir occasionally for 30-45 minutes. The heat will speed up the infusion process without evaporating too much alcohol or burning the cannabinoids.

• Sous Vide Method (for precision):

• Set your sous vide machine to 170°F.

• Place your sealed jar of cannabis and alcohol in the water bath and let it infuse for 1-2 hours.

• This method is more controlled and reduces the risk of overheating, as sous vide machines are designed to maintain exact temperatures.

4. Strain and Store:

• After heating, strain the mixture through cheesecloth and transfer the tincture to a dropper bottle.

• Let the tincture cool before use.

Part 2: Glycerin-Based THC Tincture (Non-Alcoholic Option)

If you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can use vegetable glycerin to make a tincture. Glycerin-based tinctures tend to be slightly less potent than alcohol tinctures but are a good option for infusing into beverages.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz cannabis flower (decarboxylated)

• 1 cup food-grade vegetable glycerin

Instructions:

1. Decarboxylate the cannabis as described in Part 1.

2. Combine the decarboxylated cannabis and glycerin in a glass jar, ensuring that the cannabis is fully submerged in glycerin.

3. Infuse:

• Place the jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking it daily.

• Quick Method: To speed up the process, use the double boiler or sous vide method described earlier. Infuse the mixture for 6-8 hours at a low temperature (below 170°F).

4. Strain and Store: Use cheesecloth to strain the glycerin tincture, then transfer it to a dropper bottle for storage.

Part 3: Making THC-Infused Simple Syrup

Once you have your THC tincture, the next step is to turn it into THC simple syrup that can be mixed into soda. This syrup dissolves easily into beverages and gives you consistent dosing.

Ingredients for Cannabis-Infused Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• Your homemade THC tincture (adjust based on desired potency)

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, to preserve freshness)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make Simple Syrup:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar over medium heat.

• Stir frequently until the sugar is completely dissolved, creating a syrup. This should take about 3-5 minutes.

2. Add THC Tincture:

• Once the sugar is fully dissolved, reduce the heat to a simmer.

• Add your THC tincture. For a moderate dose, use 1-2 ml of tincture (around 10-20 mg of THC per serving).

• Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to ensure the THC is fully incorporated into the syrup.

3. Add Lemon Juice (Optional):

• To preserve the syrup’s freshness, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and stir well.

4. Cool and Store:

• Remove the syrup from heat and allow it to cool.

• Pour it into a glass bottle or jar with a lid.

• Store the syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Part 4: Mixing THC Syrup with Soda

Now that you have your THC-infused simple syrup, it’s time to mix it into your soda for a fun, cannabis-infused drink.

Instructions:

1. Pour your favorite soda (Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, etc.) into a glass with ice.

2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of your THC syrup to the soda.

• Adjust the amount based on your tolerance and the potency of your syrup.

3. Stir gently to combine.

4. Enjoy responsibly, and remember to wait 30-60 minutes to feel the full effects before consuming more.

Dosing and Safety Tips:

• Start small: If you’re unsure of the potency, start with a small amount of THC syrup (5-10 mg) and see how it affects you before adding more.

• Wait it out: THC drinks can take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping (30-60 minutes), so be patient and avoid consuming too much too soon.

• Label properly: If storing syrup or tincture, clearly label the container to avoid any accidental consumption.

By following this guide, you can easily create your own THC-infused sodas using homemade tinctures and simple syrup. Whether you use the traditional slow-infusion method or opt for a quicker process, these recipes will help you enjoy a refreshing cannabis