Cannabis-Infused Simple Syrup

When preparing cannabis beverages at home, an important staple in your bar pantry is infused simple syrup. A simple syrup most often consists of a sugar base, such as granulated sugar, honey, or agave nectar mixed with water over heat. There are many ways you can spice them up. To make your simple syrup recipes more complex, you can add herbs, fruits, nuts, and spices during the heating process including cinnamon, cardamom, lemon, ginger, and lavender. Infused simple syrup adds sweetness to your drinks and can also help balance acidity and bitterness, while rounding out harsher alcohol characteristics when making cocktails.

When infusing a simple syrup with decarboxylated cannabis or hemp flower, the primary ingredients you’ll be working with do not include an alcohol-based or fat-based liquid. So, how do you capture the CBD or THC? To extract the cannabinoids and create a successful infusion, you’ll want to add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of food-grade vegetable glycerin, which will act as your extraction base.

Here’s a recipe to try at home using honey as the sweetener. It will add rich and more complex notes to your drinks compared to granulated sugar, but feel free to customize this recipe using the sugar base of your choice.

If you're curious to learn more about cannabis-infused simple syrup and are looking for additional recipes, you can find this information and more in my latest book, Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home. Enjoy!

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Cannabis-Infused Simple Syrup

The Stovetop Method

Yield: 15 ounces (444 ml)

Target Dose: 13 mg CBD | 1 mg THC per ounce (using Harle-Tsu flower, but remember to calculate your own dose per serving based on the flower that you infuse with)

Equipment:

Digital scale

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Small saucepan

Thermometer

One 16-ounce (480-ml) sterilized Mason jar

Cheesecloth

Fine-mesh strainer

Ingredients:

2 grams decarboxylated cannabis flower of your choice

2 cups (480 ml) water

1 cup (340 g) honey of your choice

1 tablespoon (15 ml) food-grade vegetable glycerin

Directions:

Weigh out 2 grams of decarboxylated cannabis flower. Set aside. Combine the water and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a soft boil, stirring until the honey dissolves into the water. Reduce the heat to around 160° to 180°F (71° to 82°C) and add the decarboxylated cannabis. Simmer on low for 50 minutes stirring from time to time.

Reduce the heat and add the vegetable glycerin—this will give the CBD and THC something to bind to. Continue to heat and stir for another 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Pour the simple syrup into a Mason jar through cheesecloth and a fine-mesh strainer. Let cool and shake before serving. Store in the refrigerator for several months.

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About the Author:

Jamie Evans is the founder of The Herb Somm and author of The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol and Cannabis Drinks: Secrets to Crafting CBD and THC Beverages at Home. She is an author, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in cannabis, food, recipes, wine, and the canna-culinary world. In addition to her work in the cannabis industry, Jamie has over a decade of wine industry experience and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. Having represented a wide array of organizations and wineries, she is best known for her literary work and producing high-end events. She was also named as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2018. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheHerbSomm.