Many of us today prefer to medicate discreetly in the form of a cannabis tincture – it’s such a fantastic low calorie, smoke-free and therapeutic option. That’s why we’re here to bring you some at-home cannabis tincture recipes so you can create your medicine in the comfort of your own home.
What is a Cannabis Tincture?
A tincture of any sort, is made by soaking herbs (in this case cannabis flower) in a solvent, typically high-proof alcohol such as Everclear, for an extended period of time. But vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar can also be used too.
The process is super easy and the end product can be very satisfying when it comes to surprising your friends with your latest creation.
Below you’ll find 3 recipes with slightly different approaches, and different recommendations in alcohol. As a rule, the higher the alcohol content, the better, so most people use Everclear, which is available in 190 or 151 proof.
Cannabis Tincture Recipes: An Overview
The first recipe is creating what is commonly known as ‘Green Dragon’.
The second recipe is ‘Gold Dragon’. ‘Green’ simply uses fresh cannabis, and ‘Gold’ uses cannabis that’s been decarboxylated.
The third recipe that’s been floating around the internet, is the less traditional one created by Master Wu. The difference with Master Wu’s method is that you simmer the jar in a bath for 20 minutes to speed up the extraction process, so that you get a finished product the same day.
But there is a small concern with this method around the fact that the alcohol and cannabis mixture that you’re heating is flammable. So it might be a riskier option.
Or not, depending on your experience. And bravery.
What you choose will depend on your available time, experience, and level of caution.
Let’s get into the recipe first that’s the easiest and safest.
Cannabis Tincture Recipe 1:
How to Make Green Dragon Tincture
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes + 1 month (Storage)
What You’ll Need
- Mason Jar (or other sealable container)
- Oven tray
- Aluminum foil
- Alcohol
- 1/8 oz cannabis
- Coffee filter
Method
- Crumble, break up or grind up your cannabis. At least an 1/8 ounce is recommended.
- Put the cannabis in a mason jar or something similar. Pour your drinkable alcohol into the jar to cover the cannabis.
- Close the jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it thoroughly.
- Store the jar in a warm and dark place for 1 month (minimum) as darkness prevents the THC from degrading. Shake the jar every day for at least 2 weeks. The longer you store it the better – try to store it for 8 to 10 weeks ideally if you want a strong taste.
- Once the appropriate time has passed, strain the leaves out with a coffee filter.
- Store your finished cannabis tincture in a container. Make sure to keep it far from heat or light sources to preserve it.
The result is a potent liquid that delivers the effects of the cannabinoid molecules without any smoking or other form of combustion. In the growing consumer market, producers will often add carrier oils and other complementary ingredients, such as an orange oil to improve the taste of a tincture. Not ideal.
Cannabis Tincture Recipe 2:
How to Make Gold Dragon Tincture (Decarbing your Weed)
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 110 minutes | Total Time: 120 minutes + 1 month (Storage)
What You’ll Need
- Mason jar (or other sealable container)
- Oven tray
- Aluminum foil
- Alcohol
- 1/8 oz cannabis
- Coffee filter
Method
- Preheat your oven to 230 degrees Fahrenheit and line your oven tray with aluminum foil.
- Crumble, break up or grind up your cannabis into small pieces and place on the tray. At least an 1/8 ounce is recommended.
- Bake the cannabis for 110 minutes to convert create the decarboxylation reaction – this means the THCA is being activated and turned into THC (which gets you high!).
- Put the cannabis in a mason jar or something similar. Pour your drinkable alcohol into the jar to cover the cannabis.
- Close the jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it thoroughly.
- Store the jar in a warm and dark place for 1 month (minimum) as darkness prevents the THC from degrading. Shake the jar every day for at least 2 weeks. The longer you store it the better to get a stronger taste – try to store it for 8 to 10 weeks ideally.
- Once the appropriate time has passed, strain the leaves out with a coffee filter.
- Store your finished cannabis tincture in a container. Make sure to keep it far from heat or light sources to preserve it.
Cannabis Tincture Recipe 3:
Master Wu’s Tincture
A less traditional way to make a DIY cannabis tincture is Master Wu’s method that’s been gaining traction so it’s worth mentioning. The difference is that you heat the alcohol and cannabis mixture in the bath.
Why? This heating process increases the motion of the molecules, and speeds up the extraction process so it means you’ll have a very quick final product.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes |
What You’ll Need:
- 1/8oz cannabis
- 2 oz Bacardi Rum – 151 proof
- Oven tray
- Aluminium foil
- Mason jar
- Grinder (i.e. Coffee grinder or Blender)
- Garlic press
Method Summary
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit.
- Chop cannabis very finely using a grinder for best results. The recommended amount of cannabis to use is 1/8 oz.
- Decarboxylate your cannabis by placing it on an oven tray lined with aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, remove the tray from the oven. Place your mixture into a mason jar with high-proof alcohol. Master Wu specifies using 2 oz Bacardi Rum.
- Simmer in a water bath for 20 minutes. Simmer it at 170 degrees fahrenheit.
- Using a garlic press (or any press) to squeeze and strain the mixture. You’ll be left with approximately 1 oz of tincture. The Zylis garlic press is recommended because it has a plunger mechanism, but you can use any press you have at home.
- Store the tincture and enjoy.
Ready to Experiment with a Cannabis Tincture Recipe?
Once you’ve made your DIY cannabis tincture, add it to any dish, or drop it behind your tongue and hold it there for around 1 minute, before swallowing. Metabolized versus sublingually absorbed (behind the tongue) changes the tincture potency and gives you different effects, which you can read about in this edible cannabis bioavailability article. Once you’ve had a look at what dosage could be right for you, have a play, but start with a low dose just to be sure! We’re excited for you to try it out!
