How to Make Your Own THC Seltzers (+ Three Recipes)

Whether you’re extending Dry January into February (and beyond!) or are looking for easy ways to cut back on alcohol while still remaining social, switching from beer, wine, and mixed drinks to alcohol-free THC-infused seltzers is a good option. Sure, you can always purchase pre-made canned THC seltzers at your local dispensary, but making them at home is easier than you might think. By making them at home, you can also save a little money and customize the seltzer flavors and sweetener to your liking. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics — and we’ll even provide a few recipes to help you get started on your quest of alcohol-free drinking.

What is a THC seltzer? 

A THC seltzer is exactly what it sounds like — it’s a carbonated drink that contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis, so you can expect to feel one or many of the side effects associated with consuming THC, including increased appetite, red eyes, and dry mouth, throat, and eyes, among other effects. If you’re hoping to avoid these psychoactive effects, you can replace THC in the below recipes with CBD. 

Understanding THC dosage in drinks 

When it comes to safely making and consuming THC seltzers, we cannot stress the importance of proper dosing. Not only does the proper dosing help you remain safe, but it also helps you have a more enjoyable experience. How different THC dosages will impact you depends on several factors, including your metabolism and tolerance. For this reason, it is always best to start with the lowest dose possible before gradually adding more as needed.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that THC in drinks often has a delayed onset, especially when compared to smoking or vaping. This means it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 whole hours to feel the full effects, so patience is key. We always recommend waiting at least 2 hours before taking another edible or pouring yourself another drink. Here’s some info on safely dosing cannabis edibles.

THC seltzer recipes 

Here are a few THC seltzer recipes to try. As mentioned above, you can replace the THC in these recipes with CBD for a non-psychoactive twist. 

Sparkling “Nojito” 

For a non-alcoholic twist on the mojito, give this sweet and tangy recipe a try. 

Ingredients: 

• Fresh mint leaves 
• 1 lime, cut into wedges 
• 2 tablespoons white sugar 
• 1 cup soda or seltzer water 
• Cannabis tincture (per your personal preference) 
• Ice cubes 

Directions: 

1. Muddle your mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a glass
2. Add sugar and two more wedges, muddling to release lime juice 
3. Fill the glass with ice and pour your soda or seltzer water into the glass 
4. Stir in the cannabis tincture and garnish with the remaining wedge(s)

Fruit Punch Fizz 

If you’d like to share this punch with friends, the ingredients in this fizzy, fruity punch can be doubled, tripled, or quadrupled. Just make sure to disclose the THC dosage in each serving so your friends aren’t caught off guard. 

Ingredients: 

• 16 oz pineapple, guava, or other tropical fruit-infused sparkling water 
• 1 bouquet of mint 
• Cannabis tincture (per your personal preference) 
• Ice cubes
• Slice lemon, limes, and strawberries 

Directions: 

1. Add the cannabis tincture to the sparking water 
2. Gently mix to dissolve 
3. Add ice, fruit slices, and mint 
4. Serve immediately 

THC-Infused Bloody Mary 

If you’re in the mood for something a bit more savory, here’s an easy recipe for an alcohol-free, THC-infused bloody mary. Try it for brunch! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup tomato juice 
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 dash hot sauce 
• 2 teaspoons horseradish 
• Cannabis tincture (per your personal preference) 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• Ice 
• Garnishes: olives, celery, bacon strip, etc. 

Directions: 

1. Combine all ingredients through horseradish into a pitcher or blender with ice. 
2. Add your preferred amount of cannabis tincture, and stir.
3. Rim your glasses with salt and fill them with ice. 
4. Divide between the glasses and garnish per your preference. 

Drink responsibly  

While THC seltzers are a refreshing and discreet way to consume cannabis, it’s essential to consume responsibly. Like alcohol, it’s very easy to accidentally over-indulge. Since THC affects everyone differently, it’s important to remember this mantra: “start low and go slow.” If you’re new to THC-infused beverages, start with the smallest recommended dose and wait at least two hours before consuming more. The effects can take time to kick in, so be patient and avoid drinking too much too quickly. 

If you accidentally over consume, don’t panic! Find a calm, comfortable space where you feel safe and try to relax with deep breaths or soothing activities, like listening to calming music or petting your dog or cat. Eating a light snack or chewing on some black peppercorns may help ease anxiety. The effects will wear off over time, so be patient and allow your body to process the THC naturally. 

Purchase cannabis tincture (& THC seltzers) at CULTA 

The best DIY THC seltzers start with the best THC tincture. Fortunately, CULTA has you covered. We carry a wide selection of THC tinctures, featuring minor cannabinoids, a careful selection of terpenes, and the perfect mix of CBD and THC. Simply fill the dropper with your preferred amount of tincture, drop it into any of the above recipes, and you’re good to go. 

Prefer to skip the mixing and measuring? We’ve got you there, too, with our selection of cannabis-infused sodas, seltzers and drink mixes! Visit us at our Baltimore, Columbia, and Urbana dispensaries for our latest selection of THC drinks.