What is cannabis simple syrup used for?

Cannabis simple syrup is a sweet cannabis-infused liquid that can be added to drinks and food. It’s made by infusing cannabis, like marijuana or hemp, into a simple sugar syrup base. The main uses of cannabis simple syrup include:

Table of Contents

Adding to Beverages

One of the most popular uses for cannabis simple syrup is adding it to beverages to create cannabis-infused drinks. The syrup easily incorporates into any drink, providing a way to add cannabis to coffee, tea, lemonade, cocktails, and more. The syrup mixes into both hot and cold drinks.

Here are some examples of beverages that pair well with cannabis simple syrup:

Coffee – Add syrup to your morning latte or iced coffee for a relaxing, uplifting effect.
Tea – Stir in syrup with herbal or black tea for heightened relaxation.
Lemonade – Mix with lemonade or Arnold Palmer for a refreshing cannabis drink.

Fruit juice – Blend syrup into orange juice, apple juice, etc for a tasty infusion.
Cocktails – Incorporate into mixed drinks instead of simple syrup for a cannabis kick.
Hot chocolate – Add to hot chocolate for rich, creamy cannabis flavor.

Smoothies – Blend into fruit smoothies for a satisfying cannabis treat.

The options are endless when adding cannabis syrup to drinks! It provides customizable dosing and a tasty way to consume cannabis.

Creating Cannabis-Infused Sauces and Dressings

Cannabis syrup can also be used to add cannabis to savory sauces, salad dressings, marinades, and more. The syrup incorporates seamlessly into oil and vinegar-based sauces.

Try using cannabis syrup in recipes like:

Salad dressings – Whisk syrup into vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
Dipping sauces – Mix with soy sauce, ketchup, and other ingredients for dunking.

Marinades – Blend into marinades for meats, tofu, veggies.
BBQ sauces – Add to sweet, tangy, or savory barbecue sauces.
Cocktail sauces – Use in seafood cocktail sauces and dips.

Adding the syrup to sauces gives you more flexibility when cooking with cannabis. You can easily control the dosage depending on the amount of sauce consumed.

Baking with Cannabis Syrup

The sweet flavor of cannabis syrup also makes it ideal for incorporating into baked goods. Using syrup can provide more consistent dosing compared to baking with cannabis oils or butter.

Some examples of baked goods to use cannabis syrup in include:

Cakes and cupcakes – Add to cake batter or frosting.
Cookies – Mix into cookie dough or use as a topping.
Bars – Add to blondies, brownies, granola bars, etc.

Muffins and breads – Stir into muffin, loaf, and quick bread batters.
Pies – Mix into fruit pie fillings or use in glazes.
Candy – Use in place of regular simple syrup for cannabis gummies or hard candies.

When baking, replace up to half of the regular syrup, honey, or sugar in a recipe with cannabis syrup. The possibilities are endless for infusing all kinds of sweet treats!

Adding to Oatmeal, Yogurt, and Cereal

For a soothing morning treat, stir a bit of cannabis syrup into oatmeal, yogurt, or granola. The syrup mixes in smoothly to provide a light dose of cannabis.

Some recipe ideas include:

Overnight oats – Mix syrup into overnight oats along with milk, chia seeds, fruit, etc.
Parfaits – Layer syrup-infused yogurt or pudding with granola and fruit.
Cereal – Drizzle syrup over Raisin Bran, granola, or other cereal.

Oatmeal – Stir syrup into rolled or steel-cut oatmeal before cooking.
Chia pudding – Blend syrup into chia seeds and milk for chia seed pudding.

The sweet taste pairs perfectly with breakfast and dessert foods. It provides a tasty way to consume cannabis any time of day.

Sweetening Smoothies

For a nutrient and cannabis-packed breakfast or snack, add cannabis syrup to your favorite smoothies. The syrup seamlessly blends into any frozen or fresh fruit smoothies.

Some smoothie recipes to try with cannabis syrup include:

Fruit and yogurt – Blend syrup with frozen fruit and yogurt for a creamy treat.

Green smoothies – Mix syrup into green smoothies with spinach, kale, etc.
Protein smoothies – Add to smoothies with protein powder, nut butter, oats.
Tropical smoothies – Use in tropical blends with pineapple, mango, banana.

Berry smoothies – Combine with mixed berries for an antioxidant and vitamin burst.
Dessert smoothies – Make milkshake-style smoothies with ice cream and syrup.

The options are endless for infusing smoothies with cannabis syrup. It allows you to customize the dosage to your preferences.

Adding to Desserts

For after dinner sweets, stir cannabis syrup into ice cream, bread pudding, fruit crisps and crumbles, and other desserts. Desserts are a great way to round out an infused dining experience.

Some examples of cannabis-infused desserts include:

Ice cream – Drizzle syrup over bowls of ice cream or milkshakes.

Pudding – Mix syrup into homemade or pre-made puddings.
Crumbles and crisps – Use in fruit crisp or crumble toppings.
Bread or rice pudding – Stir syrup into warm bread or rice puddings.

Parfaits – Layer syrup-infused yogurt or pudding with granola and fruit.
Pies – Brush syrup on fruit pies before baking for an infused treat.

The sweet, rich flavors of cannabis syrup make it a perfect topping for spooning over all kinds of warm desserts for a satisfying finale to any infused dining experience.

Possible Health Benefits

In addition to the recreational uses, cannabis simple syrup may provide some potential wellness benefits when used properly. Some possible benefits may include:

Pain relief – Cannabis contains compounds like THC and CBD that may help relieve pain when consumed in small doses.
Reduced inflammation – Compounds in cannabis have shown anti-inflammatory properties that could ease conditions like arthritis when used regularly.

Decreased anxiety – Low doses of cannabis have exhibited anti-anxiety effects for some people when used responsibly.
Improved sleep – Elements in cannabis, especially THC, may help reduce sleep difficulties and improve restfulness.
Neuroprotective properties – Early research indicates cannabis compounds may help protect nervous system health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

However, more research still needs to be conducted to better understand the potential wellness benefits of cannabis. And cannabis simple syrup should only be used under the guidance of a doctor when trying to achieve any medicinal effects.

How to Make Cannabis Simple Syrup

Cannabis simple syrup is easy to make at home with just water, sugar, and cannabis infusion. Here is a simple recipe and directions:

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup sugar (white or brown)
1 ounce cannabis flower, or 1⁄2 ounce kief or concentrate

Directions

Make a cannabis infusion using the flower, kief, or concentrate with 1 cup water. Simmer for 30-60 minutes to fully extract the cannabis compounds.

Strain the cannabis infusion through a cheesecloth and collect the liquid.
Add 1 cup sugar to the infusion. For richer flavor, use brown sugar.
Over low heat, stir together the sugar and infusion until fully dissolved into a syrup consistency, about 10 minutes.

Let cool completely then transfer syrup to an airtight container. Store in fridge for up to 3 months.

For best results, use high quality cannabis material and organic cane sugar. The possibilities are endless for uses once you have simple syrup infused with tailored cannabis extracts.

Possible Side Effects

While cannabis simple syrup may offer some benefits, it can also cause side effects, especially when consuming larger doses. Possible side effects can include:

Impaired coordination and reaction time
Increased heart rate and dizziness
Short-term memory issues

Anxiety or paranoia
Couch lock or sedation
Dry mouth and red eyes

Consuming cannabis can affect everyone differently based on the individual strain, dose, and method of consumption. Start with very small amounts of cannabis syrup until you understand your tolerance and how specific products affect you.

Is Cannabis Simple Syrup Legal?

The legality of cannabis simple syrup depends on your geographic location and the laws that apply. In the United States, regulations can vary by state. Here are some general guidelines on the legality:

In states where cannabis is fully illegal, cannabis syrup is illegal as well.

In states with medical marijuana programs, syrup may be legal under a doctor’s recommendation.
In states with recreational cannabis laws, adults 21+ can legally make and consume cannabis syrup.
At the federal level cannabis remains illegal, so transporting syrup across state lines has risks.

It’s important to understand the laws in your specific area regarding cannabis simple syrup and cannabis-infused products. When in doubt, consult a legal professional regarding the legality and risks before making or using cannabis syrup where you live.

Buying Cannabis Simple Syrup

In locales where cannabis is legal, you may be able to purchase pre-made cannabis simple syrup from a licensed dispensary, depending on local regulations. Here are some tips when buying cannabis syrup:

Look for syrups made with high quality cannabis oils or flower material for best flavor and effects.

Search for organic, non-GMO syrup without artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Check the THC and CBD percentages to understand the potency and potential effects.
Start with a lower dose syrup like 5mg THC per serving and increase strength as needed.

Look for childproof packaging if you have kids in your home.
Ask the budtender any questions about the effects and dosing recommendations.

Purchasing pre-made syrup from a reputable dispensary can ensure you get accurately dosed, lab-tested products. However quality syrup can also be easily made at home.

Storing Cannabis Simple Syrup

To maintain freshness and potency, cannabis simple syrup should be stored properly. Follow these tips for storing syrup:

Keep syrup in an airtight glass or plastic container in the fridge.
Syrup can last 2-3 months when refrigerated.

For longer storage, keep syrup in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Heat syrup before using if stored frozen to make it easier to pour.
Label containers with the strain and potency if making different batches.

Keep syrup containers away from heat and light which can degrade potency.
Do not store open containers in the fridge as this reduces shelf life.

Properly stored cannabis syrup will retain its potency and flavor when kept refrigerated or frozen. Consume within 2-3 months for best quality.

Is Cannabis Syrup Gluten Free?

Cannabis simple syrup is naturally gluten free, since the ingredients are just sugar, water, and cannabis. There is no wheat or gluten-containing ingredients used.

Be sure to check the label if purchasing pre-made cannabis syrups, as some manufacturers may add fillers or thickeners that contain gluten. As long as the syrup only contains cannabis extract, sugar, and water, it can be considered gluten free.

Making your own cannabis simple syrup at home allows you to control all the ingredients. This ensures it remains gluten free for anyone with dietary restrictions.

Summary

Cannabis simple syrup is a versatile way to infuse cannabis into drinks, foods, and sweets. The sweet flavor masks the taste of cannabis, allowing you to medicate discreetly. Cannabis syrup can be used to make cannabis-infused beverages, dressings, baked goods, breakfast foods, desserts, and more. When used properly, it may offer benefits like pain relief. However, cannabis can also cause impairment and side effects, so moderate dosing is important. Check your local laws before making or using cannabis products. With the proper precautions, cannabis simple syrup provides a tasty way to incorporate cannabis into home cooking and beverage recipes.