Although there are many different ways to cook with cannabis, one of the easiest and tastiest is by making your own THC syrup. Knowing how to make THC syrup is a great skill to have, and it’s not as challenging as you might think. With a few ingredients and a bit of time, anyone can learn how to make THC syrup at home.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the different ingredients you need, how to make THC syrup, and then we’ll dive into some of the best uses for your new homemade THC syrup. But first, let’s go over the basics of THC syrup.
What Is THC Syrup?
THC syrup is a cannabis infused simple syrup made from water, sugar, cannabis, and certain flavourings. It’s often clear with a golden color like vape juice and has a rich, thick texture similar to maple syrup or cough medicines.
THC Syrup Is Not Lean
THC syrup shouldn’t be confused with “lean” or “sizzurp,” which is a promethazine-codeine cough syrup usually mixed with soda or alcohol. Since it’s free from opiates, THC syrup isn’t as dangerous or as strong as lean. Codeine is very addicting and can cause overdose or death, especially when it’s mixed with certain drugs or alcohol.
THC Syrup Is Sweet and Easier to Digest
Because THC syrup tastes sweet, you can use it as a sweetener in your coffee or tea or on hot pancakes. You can even enjoy it straight up, as this delicious syrup also has the same THC kick that everyone loves. However, THC syrup usually works faster than regular cannabis edibles (like gummies or brownies) because it is easier to digest.
THC Syrup Is Potent with a High Sugar Content
THC syrup should be used moderately and cautiously due to its potency and high sugar content. Although THC syrup has a somewhat faster onset, it can still take a while to work — but with longer-lasting effects. As always, we recommend starting small and waiting about an hour before taking a second dose. This way, it will help you get a feel for the syrup’s potency and effects, including your tolerance.
THC syrups are also concentrated and full of sugar, so enjoy them in moderation. People with conditions like diabetes may want to find other ways of consuming cannabis and should be extra cautious with these sugar-laden products.
THC Syrup vs Oil
If you’re new to the world of THC and cannabis products, it can be a little confusing to figure out exactly what each one is. Although THC syrup and canna oil may have a similar appearance and consistency, they are distinct products. Here’s how to tell the difference in how they’re used:
- THC Syrup – This product often includes cannabis oil as an ingredient and is known for its sweet taste and easy preparation. You can use any THC syrup just like you would any regular syrup.
- Canna Oil – This is commonly used when adding flavor to both savory and sweet dishes. You can even use other versions of canna oil as hair masks, massage oil, and beauty products.
Dispensaries usually sell THC syrups in bottles that look like cough syrup and have clear labels showing the amount of THC in milligrams. This makes it easy to figure out how much to take. You can also make THC syrup at home using relatively few simple ingredients.
How to Make THC Syrup
When making THC syrup, you need to know about decarboxylated cannabis first because you need to make sure that you’re starting with the right material. Apart from decarboxylation, everything else is fairly easy and simple, without the need for much culinary knowledge or experience.
You can make homemade THC cannabis syrups in many different ways, but all recipes have the same essential steps. We’ll share an easy recipe for a basic THC syrup, but don’t be afraid to be creative and experiment! You can add cloves, lemon zest, star anise, fragrant herbs (e.g., rosemary and basil), and a lot more to make your syrup taste better.
Ingredients
For this basic syrup recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 3 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerine
- 2 g finely ground cannabis buds (alternative: 1 g cannabis concentrate like butane hash oil or BHO)
- 3 cups sugar (if you want your syrup to look cloudy or darker, you can use brown or muscovado sugar)
Equipment
- Fine mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Saucepan
- A Mason jar or bottle to store the syrup
Other Flavourings (Optional)
- Herbs
- Fresh fruits
- Vanilla beans (fresh)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole spices (e.g., cardamom, star anise, or cloves)
Directions
1. Decarboxylate Cannabis
When using cannabis flowers, ensure to grind your bud first. Next, spread it out on a lined baking sheet and bake it at 110°C or 230°F for about 30 minutes or up to 45 minutes in a preheated oven. This process, called “decarboxylation,” activates the cannabinoids in the dry flowers and makes sure that your syrup is potent and nice.
After about 20 minutes, take your bud out of the oven and move it around on the baking sheet so that it decarboxylates evenly. When your kitchen smells a little bit like dank weed, it’s ready to use.
2. Boil Water and Sugar (Plus Your Desired Flavouring) in a Saucepan
Let the mixture boil over medium heat. Once the syrup boils, turn down the heat to low and keep stirring it until all of the sugar has dissolved.
3. Add the Bud (Decarbed) or Concentrate
Cook the mixture for 30 minutes stirring constantly. Next, reduce the heat and add the vegetable glycerine. Continue cooking the syrup for 5 minutes more before removing it from the heat.
4. Cool the Syrup and Strain It
Let the cannabis-infused syrup cool down completely, and then pour it through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to get rid of any plant material and aromatics you used to flavor the syrup.
Note: If you use cannabis concentrate, the need for decarboxylation will depend on the product. Cannabis oils should already be decarbed. However, concentrates like BHO will need to be heated. Make sure to heat the BHO at the same temperature and time as the ground herb on parchment paper or a silicone mat in a heatproof dish.
How to Use THC Syrup
Using THC syrup might even be easier than making it. There are many ways to use THC syrup — you can simply mix it into a glass of ice-cold sweet tea or just take it straight from a dropper. There are many different ways to use THC syrup, and each person will find their own favorite way to enjoy it.
1. Use It as a Simple Syrup
You can use THC syrup the same way you would use maple syrup or simple syrups. Here are some common uses for it:
- An alternative to table sugar, stevia, and other types of sweeteners;
- Sweetens pancakes, waffles, or French toast (even sorbet);
- Moistens baked goodies and treats;
- Adds a sweeter taste to oatmeal or fresh yogurt;
- Poaching fruits like apples, plums, and pears;
- Dressing for fresh fruit salads; and
- Marinades.
2. Mix It with Drinks
Adding THC syrup to low-alcohol cocktails, mocktails, and other drinks is another common way to use it. Drinking THC syrup in combination with drinks acts more slowly than taking it sublingually but tends to be more fast-acting than solid cannabis edibles.
Try adding THC syrup to the following beverages:
- Sparkling water (a healthy alternative to soda)
- Coffee or tea
- Cold brews (e.g., iced coffee or iced tea)
- Lemonades and fruit juices
- Cucumber or lemon
- Virgin cocktails
Essentially, you can use cannabis-infused syrups in place of simple syrups in any drink recipe. But it’s important to reduce your usual edible dose if you want to combine THC syrup with alcohol.
3. Use It Sublingually
THC syrup can be taken sublingually like cannabis tincture. Some of the cannabinoids in the THC syrup go straight to the bloodstream through the tiny blood vessels in the lining of the mouth. So if you want to enjoy that THC kick without waiting for about an hour, take the syrup under your tongue to help it set a bit faster.
4. Try It in Recipes
THC syrup sweetens various homemade recipes. You can mix it with maple syrup and use the mixture as salad dressings, waffle toppings, entrée marinades, and more. THC syrup can add another layer to any recipe, and you can make it as simple or as fancy as you would like.
How to Dose
Dosing cannabis edibles can be tricky. If you follow the recipe above, 1 tsp. of syrup should give you a clear-headed, euphoric buzz that won’t interfere with your day. For a more psychedelic experience, you can take 2–3 Tbsp. Remember, always start low and gradually increase your dose.
Does It Expire?
Weed syrup doesn’t expire because of its high sugar content. But, like any other ingredient, it is best to use fresh syrup whenever you can. To ensure you always have fresh, flavourful, and potent THC syrup, we recommend making small quantities at a time (a stash of just enough to last you up to 2 months).
Do THC Syrups Need Refrigeration?
Yes. Store any THC syrup in a glass container on the refrigerator door. Plastic bottles leach chemicals into liquids as they degrade, so avoid using them. Although THC syrup won’t spoil because of its high sugar content, refrigerating it will help extend its shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Make THC Syrup?
It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to make THC syrup. The process can be sped up if you already have decarboxylated cannabis beforehand.
How Are THC Syrups Made?
THC syrup is made by combining cannabis concentrate or extract with vegetable glycerine, water, and sugar.
What Is THC Simple Syrup?
THC syrup is a simple syrup that contains cannabinoids. Similar to simple syrups, THC syrups are used to add sweetness to beverages, such as cocktails, coffee, tea, lemonade, and other drinks.
Conclusion
Making your own THC syrup is easy and fun. Once you have the ingredients, all you need is some time and patience. The best part about making your own syrup is that there are no additives, preservatives, or chemicals involved, which means all the goodness stays in there without anything else coming along for the ride. So why not try making your own today?
If you’re ready to get started on your journey to becoming a THC syrup expert, we have a deal for you. Sign up to our site, and we’ll give you $10 credit on your first purchase. To place your first order with us, please visit our Shop page. Join the club today!
