Cannabis Cocktail Parties: Coming Soon to a Backyard Near You!

Cannabis Cocktail Parties: Coming Soon to a Backyard Near You!

Cannabis beverages are exploding in popularity just as restrictions are easing, and it won’t be long before you’re sipping a cannabis cocktail under the hot summer sun with friends and family.

You might even find a cannabis cocktail party!

“When we can have friends over again, I definitely expect to see a lot more people with cannabis drinks in hand,” said Melanie Smith, Innovation Lead at Truss Beverage Co., the leading producer of cannabis beverages in Canada. “It’s been a wild ride so far and I feel like we’re just starting to see that growth. I’ve always thought that most people are introduced to cannabis beverages through friends or family and this summer has the potential to introduce a ton of people to the category.”

Whether you like to flit like a hummingbird, float like a social butterfly or supervise burger flipping, there’s a cannabis drink or cocktail to suit your fancy. Truss launched 13 cannabis drinks last year and are bringing six more to market this summer, along with four different types of cannabis drops.

Truss has already engaged mixologist and beverage consultant Evelyn Chick (@evelynchick) on Instagram to create a list of cocktails, a few of which you’ll find in this month’s newsletter, and you’ll find more than 5,000 posts on Instagram using the hashtag #cannabiscocktails.

Backed by Molson Coors and selling under the HEXO LP license, Truss has tapped into the HEXO expertise on the cannabis side and over 200 years of Molson Coors experience on the beverage side, while also focussing heavily on consumer feedback to produce the world’s tastiest and most popular cannabis drinks.

“We are all-in on beverages,” said Smith. “Our ambition is to make the best cannabis beverages in the world. This isn’t like beverages on the side, this is our passion, and we believe in putting the best quality product out there.

“When we built our portfolio, we tried to cover all occasions, everything from a social drink to something that helps you relax at the end of the day, or to focus and get some work done, or play some video games. We’re constantly looking at expanding flavours, and we’re always pivoting based on consumer feedback.”

Truss’s 19 cannabis beverages cover all ranges of flavour and potency and are marketed under five different bands including XMG, House of Terpenes, Veryvell, Little Victory and Mollo.

XMG is Truss’s high potency offering for the more experienced consumer with 10mg THC. “XMG is like a flavour bomb with light carbonation,” said Smith. “XMG Tropical Fruit and Mango Pineapple are number one and two in the cannabis beverage category. XMG Citrus and XMG Watermelon came out a month ago, and they’re delicious.”

Veryvell is a wellness focused brand featuring CBD sparkling waters and low dose 1:1 iced teas, as well as water-soluble cannabis drops that can be added to your hot or cold beverage of choice. Sicilian Lemon and Strawberry Hibiscus are both 15mg CBD and less than 0.5mg THC. Lemon Black Iced Tea and Honey Green Iced Tea are a balanced 1:1 with 2.5mg THC:CBD.

Grapefruit Hibiscus Sparkler Cannabis Cocktail Grapefruit Hibiscus Sparkler Cannabis Cocktail

 

“The teas are really different,” said Smith “It’s almost like you brewed a tea and then let it cool down and added a little bit of sugar. They have a nice natural brewed quality about them that is really good.”

Mollo is Truss’s answer to non-alcoholic beers. It comes in a 5mg and 2.5mg THC potencies and was developed with sessionability in mind. “A product like non-alcoholic beer actually pairs beautifully with cannabis because you get that natural bitterness that would be in the beer and the hops,” said Smith. “It’s just a little bit more complex, something that sort of says, ‘This is an adult beverage.’ You almost miss it when it’s not there. The intent is that you can enjoy several of these beverages, rather than one potent hit, depending on your tolerance level.”

The Little Victory brand features fruit-flavoured beverages that were developed to be approachable for new consumers, with a 1:1 balance of 2.5mg THC:CBD. Sparkling Blood Orange and Sparkling Dark Cherry are perfect for cocktails, while Dry Grapefruit and Dry Lemon might appeal to wine consumers. “The Dry Grapefruit and Dry Lemon are essentially like de-alcoholised wine spritzers,” said Smith. “They have that complex taste and a dry tannic mouth feel. Perfect on a hot day, poured over ice.

“Little Victory is probably my favourite brand. It’s all about celebrating the small victories in life. Like putting on hard pants or jeans. What I’m proud of with the Little Victory beverages is that they don’t feel like a compromise. There’s a ton of flavour, but without a lot of sugar. They’re really designed so that you can have a few of them, depending on what your tolerance level is and what kind of vibe you’re going for.”

The House of Terpenes brand explores the amazing world of terpenes. It’s something more adventurous for those who want to introduce to their friends to something completely different. Terpenes featured in the House of Terpenes sparkling tonics include limonene, myrcene and valencene, each with a 1:1 balance of 5mg THC:CBD.

“For many people, the House of Terpenes flavours will be like something they’ve never experienced before,” said Smith. “We looked to nature to discover which plants, fruits and botanicals had high concentrations of the associated terpenes, and we made the beverages with those complementary flavours, so they definitely have a very cocktail kind of vibe to them, complex and unique.

“Limonene and Sparking Tonic has citrusy lemon forwards, notes of tangerine, a west coast hop, and thyme. It’s probably the most approachable of the three. Myrcene and Sparkling Tonic is the most interesting, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. It’s got hops, orange peel, cloves, tarragon, cinnamon, and a very slight black liquorice taste. Valencene combines grapefruit with ginger and balances them with sage and the mild sweetness of hops.”

Green Adventure Cannabis Cocktail

Autumn Refresh Cannabis Cocktail

 

Numerous cannabis cocktails have already been created using the House of Terpenes and Little Victory beverages. Need some ideas? Try the recipes included in this month’s newsletter and feel free to use your imagination to develop a few of your own with a new twist! If you come up with something delightfully delicious, we would love to hear from you. You might even want to try serving a few at your next dinner party.

“I would think of the limonene cocktail as something you could start a dinner party with,” said Smith. “And the myrcene, with its deep rich brownish orange colour, poured into a glass, would be like a digestif after a meal, when you want to keep the conversation going. People can get creative depending on what they’re looking for and what they have on hand. I’m going to add the Little Victory Sparkling Lemonade to a pitcher with some sparkling water this summer and maybe add some fresh mint or raspberry.”

Don’t be surprised if you attend a neighbourhood party in the future where cannabis cocktails and beverages are the drinks of choice.

“For anyone who is hesitant, they should know that these beverages taste delicious and they’re worth trying. They’re a new experience, but they’re also consistent and predictable. You always know what you’re getting. The other great thing is the fast onset. The experience can be different for everyone, but often you can feel the effects in 15 minutes, so you can wait to see how you’re feeling and then decide whether you should have another.”

And we will!


Cannabis Cocktail Recipes
Courtesy of Evelyn Chick and Truss Beverage Co.
Green Pear Refresher Cannabis Cocktail

Green Pear Refresher

This beverage is both herbal and floral. The pear and combination of herbs goes great with the earthiness of the House of Terpenes Myrcene and Sparkling Tonic.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons sweetened pear compote (pear jam works too)
  • 3/4 tablespoon local honey
  • 1 or 2 sprigs fresh herbs, such as sage or rosemary
  • 0.75 oz. lime juice
  • Ice
  • House of Terpenes Myrcene & Sparkling Tonic

Instructions:

  1. In a canning jar or shaker tin, combine pear compote, honey, and lime juice.
  2. Take herbs and put in the middle of your palm and clap hands together to release oils. Add it to the juice mixture.
  3. Cover and shake to break down compote/jam.
  4. Add ice to fill the liquid plus more (about 3/4 of the way). Cover and shake for 10-15 seconds.
  5. Strain into a tall, narrow glass filled with ice.
  6. Top with 4 oz. House of Terpenes Myrcene and Sparkling Tonic.
  7. Garnish with a nice sprig of herbs.
  Spiced Berry Blood Orange Cannabis Cocktail

Spiced Berry Blood Orange

This juicy yet tart and fresh concoction complements the blood orange flavours beautifully. It is a summer delight that is rich in flavour and texture.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Mixed Berry Juice (Evelyn chose Blackberry and Blueberry)
  • 0.5 oz. Spiced Maple Syrup (Evelyn recommends Martin’s Sweet Farm)
  • 0.75 oz. Lemon Juice
  • 1 Egg White
  • Ice
  • Little Victory Sparkling Blood Orange Beverage
  • (Optional) Blackberries and thyme for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a canning jar or shaker tin, combine berry and lemon juices, syrup and egg white. Cover and shake for 10-15 seconds.
  2. Add ice to fill the liquid plus more (about 3/4 of the way). Cover and shake for another 10-15 seconds.
  3. Strain into a tall glass.
  4. Top with 4 oz. Little Victory Sparkling Blood Orange Beverage (90 ml).
  5. Garnish with a blackberry and a tiny thyme.
  Vanilla Chai Twist Cannabis Cocktail

Vanilla Chai Twist

This short and delicious delight packs in flavours of vanilla and warm chai, paired with Little Victory Sparkling Blood Orange Beverage for a seasonal cannabis beverage.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Vanilla Chai Agave*
  • 0.75 oz. Lemon
  • Ice
  • Little Victory Blood Orange Sparkling Beverage
  • (Optional) Orange peels for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a short glass, add vanilla chai agave and lemon.
  2. Add ice and top with 4 oz. Little Victory Blood Orange Sparkling Beverage.
  3. Stir to integrate all elements.
  4. Garnish with orange peels for aromatics.
  Green Adventure Cannabis Cocktail

Green Adventure

The green goddess of drinks, this cannabis mixer is herbal and citrus forward, a cleansing sensation for the palette.

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. Cucumber Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Lime Juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 stalk cilantro
  • Ice
  • Top with 3 oz. House of Terpenes Limonene & Sparkling Tonic
  • Cucumber ribbons (garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker tin, add lemon juice and sugar. Stir until dissolved.
  2. Add juices and cilantro. Add ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Stain over ice in a fresh, tall glass.
  4. Top with House of Terpenes Limonene & Sparkling Tonic.
  5. Garnish with cucumber ribbons.

Sip responsibly!

Previous article Warm Summer Nights, Music, and a Cannabis Frame of Mind
Next article Gummies Galore! And More Coming!

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