Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, no one can deny that CBD is a supportive and adaptable ingredient. Though the FDA can’t quite decide where cannabidiol (CBD) stands, much of the public and many retailers already have.
It is soothing, potentially wide-ranging properties, and different applications have made it a fan favorite.
Cannabidiol extract is regularly transformed into oils, topicals, and vitamin-like gummies. Not to mention the more creative products such as CBD-infused bath and beauty products and various types of consumable goods. While not everyone is sold on CBD, the emerging market is rife with potential.
We find CBD drinks to be especially intriguing. We have come up with some delicious smoothies and drink creations where you can add CBD oil for some interesting flavors. If you don’t want to experiment on your own, you can always buy CBD drinks online.
Mixing CBD Into Drinks
CBD is unique in that it can be combined into almost any kind of drink without much trouble. The trickiest aspects to work with are the taste, which is naturally musky and earthy, and the fact that oil-based CBD isn’t water-soluble. Having weird-tasting CBD oil sit atop the surface of your drink is probably the last thing you want.
Green Roads offers several ways to combat this:
- Hemp extract CBD coffee and tea drinks are pre-made to include small servings of cannabidiol in the grounds and leaves. Available at different strengths, this is a simple and easy way to get CBD-infused drinks into your daily routine.
- If you’d prefer to make your own assortment of CBD-infused drinks, isolated CBD concentrate crystals are perfect for mixing. Basically, a powder substance, they are almost totally tasteless and disperse broadly when they cannot dissolve. They’re truly versatile and low-impact but a little more challenging to measure.
- Finally, there is Green Roads’ line of CBD terpenes oil. Terpenes are organic compounds found in the likes of essential oils produced by cannabis and other plants. You can read more about them and their compound benefits with cannabidiol here. These terpenes oils infused with CBD may still face the issue of water solubility, but since they come in 6 aromatic flavors, mixing them into blended drinks should pose no problem.
Professionals have been trying to capitalize on the CBD trend by adding it to cocktails and mocktails. You may want to be a tad less ambitious to start at home. Follow these recipes for delicious CBD-infused drinks that will complement even cannabidiol with an oil base.
Tropical CBD-Infused Smoothie
A perfect summer afternoon, pick me up. This recipe makes 2 servings.
What You’ll Need
- Mixed greens of choice: spinach, Swiss chard, baby kale, or all three
- 1 cup non-dairy milk — try macadamia nut for tropical flair!
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- Handy dandy blender
- 2mL of your choice of CBD hemp oil or CBD terpenes oil in pineapple flavor; or a couple of pinches of CBD concentrate crystals
Adjust the CBD serving as you’re comfortable, and fresh fruits can be substituted for the frozen ones — just add ice! for this drink
What to Do
- Blend the greens and non-dairy milk, starting on low and increasing to high. It should be about 1 minute or until completely liquefied.
- Add the CBD and banana, either sliced or broken up by hand to this drink. Blend until well incorporated.
- Lastly, add in the mango and pineapple (and optional ice). Blend once more until all ingredients are one smooth consistency. Serve up and savor.
Watermelon & Mint Granita
Share this sweet, icy dessert with a group. The recipe makes 6 to 8 helpings.
What You’ll Need
- 4 cups of watermelon, cubed
- ½ cup (when tightly packed) mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ⅓ cup of sugar
- Handy dandy blender, a freezer, and a medium to large freezer-safe glass baking dish
- 6mL CBD hemp oil or a few pinches of CBD concentrate crystals; or experiment with a smaller serving of CBD terpenes oil in its original nectar flavor, which is tangy and slightly citrusy
Adjust the CBD servings as you’re comfortable, and adjust sugar quantities to taste.
What to Do
- Add all ingredients — watermelon, mint, CBD of choice, sugar, and lime juice — to the blender, and puree until mint is nothing but specks. Ensure no solid chunks.
- Pour the puree into the glass dish and put it into the freezer uncovered for 1 hour.
- After an hour, use a fork to scrape ice crystals from the sides towards the center with light stirring motions.
- Let sit in the freezer for another 2 to 3 hours, scraping with a fork every half hour. When the entire puree is frozen into crystals, the granita is ready.
- Scrape the frozen granita a final time to “fluff” it and serve immediately. In an appropriate container, it can be kept in the freezer for a few weeks!
Iced Tea Latte With Coconut Milk Cream
A refreshing treat at any time, with enough for a friend. This recipe serves 2.
What You’ll Need
- 4 tablespoons of loose-leaf chai or similar black tea
- 16 ounces of water
- 1 can of full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2mL of your choice of CBD hemp oil or CBD terpenes oil in fruity strawberry or blueberry if feeling adventurous, or a couple of pinches of CBD concentrate crystals for a delicious drink
- Hand mixer or milk frother
Adjust the CBD servings in your drink as you’re comfortable, and halve ingredient quantities for just a single cup. The coconut milk part of the recipe can be approximated with frothed heavy cream or half and half.
What to Do
- Bring water to a boil, then let cool slightly for 1 minute. Steep the tea leaves for at least 5 minutes. If the loose leaves were added directly into the water, strain them out after steeping to taste.
- Chill the tea and can of coconut milk in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Once properly chilled, take out and open the can of coconut milk. There should be a layer of thicker coconut cream on top, and that’s what you’ll need. Spoon it out into a bowl, and save the rest of the coconut milk for other uses.
- Mix the coconut cream on low for 1 minute, then transition to high for several minutes until it begins to form stiff peaks. Add in the CBD and vanilla extract and mix again slightly until combined.
- Finally, pour the tea over ice, adding sweetener and creamer to taste. Keep it at least a half-inch from the rim because you’ll be adding in the frothed or coconut cream. Go to town on that completed latte.
Note: Add half and half or heavy cream to your milk frother for coconut milk substitution. Do not put CBD oil in the frothing machine; pour out the frothed cream and foam and stir in the vanilla and CBD. This may change the consistency somewhat, but it will work well enough.
Blueberry Coconut CBD Infused Smoothie
Another tropical coconut contender, this smoothie recipe makes 2 tasty servings.
What You’ll Need
- 1 ½ cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk (perhaps leftover from the iced tea latte?)
- ½ cup of coconut water
- 1 ½ tablespoon mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Handy dandy blender
- 2ml of your choice of CBD hemp oil or CBD terpenes oil in blueberry flavor or perhaps even sour diesel for something a little experimental; or a couple pinches of CBD concentrate crystals
As always, adjust CBD servings as you’re comfortable, and don’t forget the ice if you’re using fresh fruit! The honey and lime amounts can be tweaked to bring out additional sweetness or tartness.
What to Do
- Add the blueberries, coconut milk, coconut water, and mint (plus ice if needed) to the blender and blend from low to high for several minutes. Mint should be minced, and the mixture smoothly liquified.
- Followed by adding the lime juice, honey, and CBD. Blend low until combined.
- This smoothie is quick and easy — it’s already done! Serve, and try not to salivate too much.