Ideas for Making CBD Infused Drinks & Cocktail Recipes

Summer is officially here, meaning that relaxation and vacations are undoubtedly top of mind! It’s also the season to roll out new iced drink and cocktail recipes to debut at the beach house getaways, barbeques, and family reunions. Infusing CBD oils (like our Elite Elixir) into these beverage recipes can make for an even more relaxing time, and help you draw out the enjoyment of the warmer weather and longer days.

To help you get started, we put together a guide for choosing the best ingredient combinations and general CBD tips, as well as some recipes for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to sip on all season long. No matter whether you choose to use CBD in the morning or night, we've got the perfect delicious beverage recipe for you! 

Intro to Infusing CBD Into Your Drinks

The first thing you should be aware of is that with CBD, like the adage says, a little goes a long way. When adding a CBD oil to a cocktail or beverage, always start with a small amount, like 8 drops and go from there. With a flavored tincture or elixir, you may want to start with just 3-4 dashes into the cocktail or drink, and shake or stir well after. There are as many variations of CBD oils, tinctures, and elixirs as there are cocktails, so be on the lookout for ingredient combinations that are complementary to enhance flavor, instead of detracting.

Recipes for Our Favorite Summertime CBD Infused Cocktails

CBD oil has an earthy tone to it, so alcohols like gin, tequila, and bourbon are great to mix with it. It’s a good idea to taste a drop of the oil, tincture, or elixir before adding it to a cocktail, just so you know the base notes. And let your guests know that you’ve added CBD to any drinks you may serve at a gathering. CBD is safe to consume at the recommended dosage, but you should always make sure your guests consent. 

Here are five simple yet delectable CBD cocktail recipes to celebrate the summer:

Passion Fruit Margaritas With CBD

2 ounces of mezcal or tequila

¾ ounce lime juice

¾ ounce passionfruit juice

CBD oil, use recommended dosage

Shake ingredients together over ice, then strain into a glass.

Optional: garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Sour Gin and Aperol Cocktail With CBD

2 ounces gin

½ ounce lemon juice

½ ounce aperol

CBD tincture or elixir, use recommended dosage

Shake ingredients together without ice for 6-8 seconds, then add ice and shake for a few more seconds.

Optional: garnish with a rose petal or lime. 

Mint Julep With CBD

2.5 ounces bourbon

½ ounce simple syrup

Mint leaves

CBD oil

Combine simple syrup and CBD tincture, swirling together before adding mint leaves and muddling mixture. Pour bourbon over top, and add ice, if desired.

Optional: garnish with more mint leaves.

Old Fashioned With CBD

2 ounces bourbon or whisky

¼ ounce simple syrup

A dash or two of bitters

CBD oil elixir

Mix the bourbon or whisky, simple syrup and bitters together. Add CBD tincture or elixir and ice, mix for 10 seconds. Strain into a glass with rocks or a large ice cube.

Optional: garnish with citrus peel.

Piña Colada

2 ounces rum

3 ounces pineapple chunks

1 ounce coconut cream

CBD elixir

Blend rum, coconut cream, and pineapple chunks together, then add in ice. Blend to your preference. You can make the mixture smooth, or leave it slightly chunky. Add CBD elixir, and blend on highest setting for 6-8 seconds. Pour into glass.

Optional: garnish with a pineapple slice.

Recipes for Our Favorite Cold Weather CBD Infused Drinks

CBD infused cocktails aren’t just for the summer either. Check out these drinks you can try during the other seasons.

Autumn Cider

1.5 ounces cognac

¾ ounce lemon juice

¾ ounce simple syrup

Apple cider

CBD oil, use recommended dosage

Combine all of the ingredients, except cider and swirl. Add cider just before pouring. Optional: garnish with cinnamon stick, thyme sprigs, or both.

Winter Spiked Cocoa

1 shot of whisky or bourbon

¼ tsp nutmeg

Hot cocoa or sipping chocolate

CBD oilPrepare cocoa or sipping chocolate as directed, then stir in CBD and whisky, or bourbon. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Optional: garnish with cinnamon stick or star anise.

Spring Bellini

1 ounce peach schnapps

Frozen peach chunks, or fresh peaches (need to sit in freezer for at least 2 hours)

6 ounces sparkling wine or prosecco

CBD oil

Blend together the schnapps, CBD, and peaches. Add ice, to desired amount. If whole fresh peaches, halve and core before blending. Add sparkling wine, or prosecco, then puree mixture. Pour into glass. Meant to be made and served immediately.

Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes With CBD

Of course, there are also plenty of options for infusing CBD into drinks that aren’t alcoholic. If you want to start your day with an enhanced beverage, you can always add CBD to your morning coffee or fruit juice (particularly those that are citrus-based, like blood orange, grapefruit, and lemon). Other healthy and delicious juice options we also recommend are watermelon or pomegranate. And if you prefer something with less sugar than a fruit juice, try making a sparkling water that includes a CBD oil or adding it to yourkombucha.

To get started, try one of these three non-alcoholic CBD beverage options to jump start a fresh day, full of possibilities.

Creamy Espresso

2 shots of espresso

1 cup of desired milk choice

CBD oil, tincture, or elixir of choice, use recommended dosage

While espresso is brewing, froth together milk and CBD oil, tincture, or elixir (add a sweetener, if desired). If you don’t have a frother, warm milk (but do not boil), then use a blender to combine for desired texture. Pour in espresso when ready.

This CBD-rich drink can be served iced for those hotter days.

Matcha Latte

1.25 tsp matcha powder

2 tbsp hot water

1 cup of desired milk choice (coconut is recommended for taste)

CBD oil, tincture, or elixir of choice, use recommended dosage

Whisk together matcha powder and hot (but not boiling) water, until powder dissolves. Heat milk (but do not boil) and whisk if froth is desired, then add CBD oil, tincture, or elixir and stir well. Pour the two mixtures together and stir well. A sweetener may be added, if desired.

Like the above, the matcha latte is delicious when iced.

Green Smoothie

1 cup of leafy greens (kale, spinach, arugula, chard, etc)

1 cup each 1-2 frozen fruit choices (mango, pineapple, blueberry, strawberry)

½ banana

1 cup cold water

CBD oil, use recommended dosage

Blend greens and water until leaves are well mixed, then add in fruit and CBD oil. Continue to blend until smooth and creamy.

Optional: add a clean protein powder, or chia or flax seeds with the fruit and CBD oil to make into a morning meal replacement smoothie.

Additional Tips for Adding CBD to Coffee Drinks

If you prefer regular coffee, as opposed to a coffee or espresso-based drink, there’s several ways to include CBD into your morning cup of joe. (Or even your early afternoon pick-me-up!) When using a drip coffee machine, you can add the recommended dosage of CBD to the grounds before brewing, the coffee after brewing while still in the pot, or even with your cream, or sweetener once you’ve fixed your cup. Just remember to stir well, if you add it in just before drinking. Using a French press or pour-over? It’s best to add the oil after the grounds have mixed with the water, since those processes have the water diffuse with the grounds less than a drip machine.

What if you’re looking for a CBD infused drink good for the after-sunset hours? Herbal teas are great with CBD oils, tinctures, or elixirs. In our opinion, Chamomile enriched with CBD is a perfect choice to unwind after a long day, or drink just before going to bed.

Tips for Choosing the Right CBD Oil For Your Drinks

Once you’ve chosen the drinks, you should make sure the CBD oil you’re using includes the words full-spectrum, which means it hasn’t been stripped of the beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of the plant. This will ensure that your body experiences the full effects of CBD, which include anti-inflammatory, relaxation, and calming properties. What’s more, full-spectrum CBD typically undergoes less processing than other types.

Additionally, you should only ingest CBD that was farmed sustainably and organically (free from pesticides).

Botanika Life has an Elite Elixir that is all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and safe to include in all your favorite beverages. The elixir is free of coloring, flavoring, and additives. The only thing you’ll add to your summer cocktails or drinks with the Elite Elixir is a full-spectrum CBD oil, and a sense of contentment and calm!