Free Guide: How To Make The Best THC Drinks In PA (Legally!)

Did you know, over 500,000 PA residents have legal Medical Marijuana cards? Medical Marijuana cardholders can legally purchase cannabis products, including CBD and THC, to alleviate the impact of certain physical and mental health conditions.

Many Pennsyvlanian cannabis users prefer to consume cannabinoid compounds through food, treats, or drinks.

 In this guide, the cannabis experts at Hippie & French walk you through the steps to create some of the most delicious, refreshing THC beverages. But, first, a quick reminder of the ins and outs of cannabis legality here in PA. 

Is It Legal To Make THC-Infused Beverages In Pennsylvania?

The quick-and-dirty answer here is, yes, it’s legal to make THC-infused beverages in Pennsylvania if:

  • You have a qualifying medical condition 
  • You are a registered Medical Marijuana cardholder

However, recreational THC use is not legal in PA. 

What Are Cannabis-Infused Drinks?

Cannabis-infused drinks are beverages crafted using ingredients that contain cannabinoids (compounds derived from the cannabis sativa plant). Most often, people infuse cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into fluid ingredients like liquid sugar syrup, milk, or cream. 

This guide focuses on THC infusion. 

Sweeten Lattes, Lemonade, and Mocktails With THC-Infused Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener used by bartenders and baristas the world over. At cafes, simple syrups are popular ways to add a splash of sugar or flavor to lattes, cortados, and cold brews. It’s also a key ingredient to plenty of cocktails and mocktails. 

This recipe is for a straightforward sweetener, but it’s easy to adapt it into a flavor syrup. For instance, mix 1 cup of simple syrup with 1 cup of pomegranate juice (and a tablespoon of lemon juice) for a delightful grenadine syrup. 

Please note, we recommend against consuming THC with alcohol. We encourage you to only use THC-infused simple syrup to make non-alcoholic drinks. 

Easy THC Simple Syrup Recipe 

The most common way to make THC-infused simple syrup is to use an alcohol-based THC tincture. That said, it’s easy to swap in ground cannabis flower or concentrate. 

Ingredients & Cookware

  • 1-3 tablespoons of alcohol-based liquid THC tincture
    • OR substitute tincture with either of these:
      • 1 gram of fine-ground decarboxylated cannabis flower
      • 1 gram equivalent THC “honey” concentrate (typically ½ gram)
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 cup of sugar (or honey)
    • Optional: 1 tablespoon food-grade vegetable glycerin
  • Small saucepan
  • Stovetop / range
  • Scale
  • Airtight, dark bottle (with funnel if opening is narrow)
    • Alternately, sealable mason jar w/ cheesecloth or strainer
  • Refrigerator

Note: Talk to your local dispensary chef if you’re curious about increasing or decreasing the potency of your syrup.

Step 1. Mix Sugar, Water In Saucepan

  • Pour equal parts sugar (or honey) and water in saucepan on stovetop
  • Heat on medium-low sugar dissolves 
  • Bring to soft boil

Step 2. Simmer On Low Heat

  • Once boiling, reduce heat to temp between 160℉ – 180℉ 
  • Add optional aromatics or flavor extracts at this stage

Step 3. Infuse Ground Cannabis or Tincture

If Using Ground Cannabis Flower
  • Stir ground flower into the low-heat mixture
  • Continue to simmer over low heat for 40 – 50 minutes
  • Optional: add vegetable glycerin after simmering for 40+ minutes
  • Stir glycerin for at least 10 minutes
If Using THC Tincture
  • Allow sugar-water mixture to simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes before adding tincture
  • After 20-30 minutes simmer, remove from heat 
  • Stir in tincture 
  • Stir thoroughly, until it blends seamlessly into mixture

Step 4. Jar or Bottle Your Syrup

If Using Tincture
  • Let mixture cool
  • Pour your syrup into the dark bottle
  • Seal the bottle and refrigerate for at least a few hours

If Using Ground Cannabis Flower

  • Remove mixture from heat, let cool
  • Put cheesecloth or strainer over open mason jar
  • Pour syrup through strainer into mason jar
  • Let cool at room temperature

Elevate Lattes and Milkshakes With The Ultimate THC-Infused Dairy Recipe 

Use this recipe to make THC-infused whole milk or heavy cream. Then, use it like a regular dairy drink in lattes, milkshakes, and affogato pour overs. 

We recommend starting with creating 4 cups of infused creamer. To infuse THC into milk or dairy creamer, you will need these ingredients and cookware.

THC-Infused Milk Or Cream Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 – 10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis flower 
    • Talk to your local dispensary’s expert for personalized dosing guidance
  • 4 cups of full-fat milk or heavy cream

Cookware

  • 2-quart saucepan
    • Alternately: 2 saucepans (1 large, 1 small), or 1 double-boiler
  • Stovetop or range
  • Refrigerator
  • Strainer (choose preferred option)
  • French press (must hold 4 cups)
  • Cheesecloth
  • Paper filter & funnel
  • Airtight container (i.e. mason jar)

Step 1. Heat Milk or Cream (Double Boiler / Dual Saucepan Version)

5 – 10 minutes

Note: if you only have a single saucepan, skip to step 2. 

  • Bring milk or cream to boil (200℉) in interior double boiler
    • Alternately, heat milk or cream in small saucepan that’s been placed inside large saucepan
  • Fill large saucepan with water, boil
  • After milk / cream heats to 200℉, reduce temp to simmer
  • Simmer at 160℉ to 165℉ (or lower)

Step 2. Combine Cannabis Flower, Milk (or Cream) In Saucepan

1 – 4 minutes

  • Stir the finely ground cannabis flower into the milk/cream 
  • Mix thoroughly

Step 3. Heat Mixture By Slowly Increasing Burner Temperature (Single Saucepan Version)

30 – 40 minutes

Note: if you’re using two saucepans or a double boiler, skip to step 4. 

  • Place saucepan w/ mixture on stovetop (range)
  • Start burner on lowest heat setting 
  • Over the course of 30-40 minutes, gently increase heat to point between 165℉ and 190℉
    • Keep temp below 200℉

Step 4. Bring THC-Milk (Or Cream) Mixture To Low Heat Simmer 

30 – 45 Minutes

If using single saucepan, reduce heat to simmer (160℉ to 165℉)

If using double boiler / dual saucepan, maintain simmer.

  • Simmer for 30-45 minutes 
  • Stir periodically 

Step 5. Using Strainer, Pour Your THC-Milk (or Cream) Into Jar

  • Remove from heat
  • Pour mixture through strainer into jar

If using French Press:

  • Pour whole mixture into press
  • Press
  • Pour from press (through inbuilt strainer) into jar 

Without solids, your THC-milk or cream should be yellow / green.

  • Seal your jar
  • Let cool 

Elegant THC-Infused Tea: Pitch Perfect Recipe

To infuse tea with THC, you’ll need to choose a fat or oil you’re comfortable mixing with your tea. Coconut oil is a popular choice, as it’s fairly neutral in flavor.

For each cup of tea you want to make, gather:

  • 1 gram of decarboxylated cannabis flower,
  • 1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil,
  • 1 cup of water 
  • 1 bag of your preferred tea

Boil the water in a pot or kettle. Stir in your butter or oil. 

Then, add your tea and cannabis flower. Turn down the heat, and let your mixture simmer for 5 – 10 minutes. 

Finally, use a strainer to remove the loose cannabis flower from the drink as you pour your tea from your kettle to a tea mug. 

Like your infused simple syrup and cream, you can use your THC tea with any recipe calling for tea, including:

  • Long Island Iced Tea 
  • Thai Iced Tea
  • Tea & Lemonade (Arnold Palmer)

Get Delicious Cannabis Beverages, Edibles, and More At Hippie & French

Ready to get your drink on?

The curators at Hippie & French can get you exactly what you need. In our store, we offer delectable cannabis products and premium ingredients for a truly elevated barista experience. 

Check out our shop at 5122 Butler St. Pittsburgh, PA 15201, from 11:00 to 7:00 every day of the week. Or, order from our online store or by phone: (412) 407-9287.