Now that there are more chances to eat and drink in the outdoors (since some of the restrictions of quarantine have been lifted), let’s serve up some CBD-infused cocktails to your friends in the fresh summer air! Not only does adding CBD to a cocktail add extra zip to the drink (bartenders feel CBD enhances the flavor), it has also been reported that CBD can reduce the hangover that some people experience.
At Scotch Valley Ranch Hemp, we wanted to introduce some easy-to-make summer cocktails that include CBD. Adding CBD as an ingredient to mixed drinks can give leave you calm and relaxed without the “high” that you get with THC. Scotch Valley Ranch recently released DE-COMPRESS, a CBD-infused tincture with a captivating flavor profile that includes hints of vanilla, jasmine, bergamot and lavender.
Our List of Summer CBD Cocktails
Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind at home, or you’re hosting a social distancing gathering outside, a refreshing summer drink should be at hand! Here is our list of the best summer CBD cocktail recipes to cool you off this summer.
Lemon Berry CBD Cocktail
Tiffany, Whatcha Cooking Good Looking?
Description: This vodka-heavy cocktail features three different Smirnoff flavors – cherry, sweet raspberry, and citrus flavors. These flavors, combined with lemon to garnish make this cocktail tart, yet refreshing.
INGREDIENTS
- 2–3 oz. Smirnoff Red, White, and Berry Vodka
- 3–4 oz. Simply Strawberry or Raspberry Lemonade
- 1/2 dropper of Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS
- Ice
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
STEPS
- Combine vodka, lemonade (according to taste), DE-COMPRESS and ice into the end product glass.
- Pour into a shaker. Put the top on and shake vigorously (see notes above).
- Pour the contents back into the glass. Top with lemon slice. Enjoy!
Classic CBD Aperol Spritz
Jessica, Cooking My Dreams
A classic drink, served in a wine glass, makes for a great summer cocktail.
INGREDIENTS
- 90 ml (3 oz) Prosecco
- 60 ml (2 oz) Aperol
- Splash of club soda
- 1/2 dropper of Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS
- 1-2 orange slices
- Ice
STEPS
- In a large wine glass, add the ice cubes up to almost half glass.
- Add the Prosecco, Aperol, Scotch Valley DE-COMPRESS to the glass. Mix lightly.
- Finish with a splash of club soda and garnish with orange slices.
CBD Strawberry Basil Gin Rickey
Blakely, Gourmet with Blakely
A spin off of the traditional Gin Rickey, the Strawberry Basil Gin Rickey provides flare and flavor. The strawberry basil simple syrup is a welcomed addition to the cocktail and a refreshing taste of summer.
INGREDIENTS
Simple Syrup
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 strawberries, chopped
- 5 basil leaves
For the Cocktail
- 1 inch piece of cucumber, cut into pieces
- 2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 oz gin of your choice
- 1/2 dropper of Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS
- 2 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
STEPS
- The first thing you want to do is make the simple syrup. In a pan over medium high heat add in the water, sugar, strawberries, and basil. Let it come up to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it come to room temperature.
- To make the cocktail add chopped cucumber into the shaker. Muddle the cucumber until all of the juices release.
- Add in the gin, lime juice, simple syrup, Scotch Valley DE-COMPRESS and ice. Shake until chilled
- Strain into a class filled with crushed ice and top with club soda
- Garnish with a lime slice and you’re ready to enjoy a delicious cocktail!
CBD Cucumber Basil Smash
Katie, Garnish Blog
The combination of cucumber and basil creates a unexpectedly brilliant taste, and when added with lemon juice, the three ingredients come together perfectly.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ounce. vodka
- 3/4 ounce. lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 1/2 dropper of Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS
- 3 slices cucumber
- 6 basil leaves
STEPS
- Combine cucumber, basil, and simple syrup at the bottom of a shaker and muddle gently to bruise the basil and release juice from the cucumber.
- Add vodka, lemon juice, Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS and fill shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice and a basil flower.
CBD Mint Julep
Susan, Simply Sundays
A iconic bourbon cocktail, the mint julep is a great choice to beat the heat this summer. This recipe is actually incredibly easy and only requires a few ingredients. The mint simple syrup adds a cool and refreshing sensation , a a perfect balance to the bourbon.
INGREDIENTS
Mint Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- Fresh mint leaves
Cocktail
- Fresh mint
- 2 ounces of bourbon
- 1/2 to 1-ounce mint simple syrup depending upon your sweetness preference
- 1/2 dropper of Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS
- Crushed ice
STEPS
- Combine equal amounts of water and sugar to a small saucepan. Add in a heaping handful of fresh mint leaves. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat.
- Let steep for 10 minutes, pour into a jar and chill in the fridge.
- Add some crushed ice into a cocktail shaker and a lot of fresh mint. Muddle (mash) the mint into the ice until broken apart.
- Add in 2 ounces of bourbon, 1/2 to 1 ounce of the mint simple syrup, depending upon your desired level of sweetness, and Scotch Valley Ranch DE-COMPRESS to the shaker and top with more crushed ice.
- Shake well for about 30 seconds and pour into a glass filled with more crushed ice.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
How to Add CBD Hemp Flower to Mixed Drinks
To add CBD to mixed drinks you can either use Scotch Valley Ranch’s own DE-COMPRESS or work with hemp flower. For flower you need to decarbing CBD from hemp flower to get the full effect of CBD. Decarbing is a simple process. After you decarb and the CBD is extracted it can be added to a cocktail.
Relax With a CBD Cocktail This Summer
We know that this summer isn’t a normal summer, but you can still relax in the comfort of your home! We hope you can make and enjoy one of our featured CBD cocktail recipes this summer.
At Scotch Valley Ranch Hemp, we sell CBD hemp flower online available for purchase! We have great strains including Cherry Wine, Suver Haze, and Rogue that all have different tastes and effects. See our full list of CBD hemp flower strains!
