The classic mojito is known for its refreshing combination of mint, lime, sugar, sparkling water, and white rum. A weed mojito puts a cannabis-inspired spin on the Cuban cocktail by using rum that has been infused with cannabis.
While the finished drink is relatively simple to assemble, preparing the infused rum requires some planning. Cannabis cannot simply be dropped into a bottle of rum immediately before serving. The plant material first needs to undergo decarboxylation, followed by an infusion period.
There is another important consideration: a weed mojito combines cannabis and alcohol, both of which can cause impairment. Their effects may be stronger and less predictable when consumed together. Anyone choosing to make this cocktail should therefore approach serving sizes cautiously and avoid driving or other activities that require coordination and judgment.
What Is a Weed Mojito?
A weed mojito follows the basic formula of a traditional mojito but replaces ordinary white rum with cannabis-infused rum.
The cocktail retains the flavors people associate with a mojito. Lime provides acidity, sugar adds sweetness, mint contributes a cooling herbal note, and sparkling water gives the drink its characteristic fizz. Cannabis adds another botanical dimension while introducing cannabinoids such as THC into the finished drink.
Unlike smoking or vaping cannabis, orally consumed THC can take longer to produce noticeable effects. This delay is particularly significant with a cocktail because someone may finish the drink before realizing how strongly the cannabis is affecting them.
Why Does Cannabis Need to Be Decarboxylated?
Before preparing cannabis-infused rum, the cannabis is typically decarboxylated. Raw cannabis contains much of its THC in the form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Heat converts THCA into THC through a process known as decarboxylation.
Without this step, an infusion made from raw cannabis may not produce the effects someone expects from a THC-containing edible or drink.
Decarboxylation involves gently heating dried cannabis before beginning the infusion. Exact temperatures and times vary, but avoid excessive heat because prolonged high temperatures can degrade cannabinoids and other compounds.
Weed Mojito Ingredients
This recipe consists of two stages: preparing the infused rum and assembling the mojito.
For the cannabis-infused rum:
- 25 oz (750 ml) white rum
- 0.25 oz (7 g) dried cannabis
- Large sealable glass jar
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer
For each mojito, you will also need fresh lime, fresh mint leaves, brown or white sugar, ice, and sparkling or carbonated water.
Important: The actual THC concentration of homemade cannabis-infused rum can vary substantially according to the cannabis used, its cannabinoid concentration, the efficiency of decarboxylation, and the infusion process. The quantities above therefore should not be interpreted as a predictable THC dose.
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Rum
Begin by breaking the dried cannabis into relatively small pieces and spreading it evenly over a lined baking tray. Heat it at approximately 240°F (115°C) for around 30-45 minutes, then remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
Transfer the cooled cannabis to a clean glass jar and add the white rum. Seal the container securely and shake it to distribute the plant material throughout the alcohol.
Store the jar somewhere cool and dark for approximately five to seven days, shaking it periodically during the infusion period.
Once the infusion is complete, strain the rum through cheesecloth or a fine filter to remove the cannabis material. Store the strained liquid in a clearly labeled, securely closed container and keep it away from children and pets.
Because homemade infusions are hard to dose precisely, start with a smaller amount of infused rum in a cocktail rather than assuming it has the same potency as ordinary rum.
How to Make a Weed Mojito
Once your infused rum is prepared, the actual mojito takes only a few minutes.
Place several fresh mint leaves and a slice or wedge of lime in a sturdy glass. Gently muddle them together to release the lime juice and aromatic oils from the mint. Avoid pulverizing the mint, as overly aggressive muddling can introduce bitter flavors.
Add another one or two lime pieces and about two teaspoons of sugar, adjusting to taste. Muddle gently again until the sugar begins dissolving into the lime juice.
Fill the glass generously with ice. Add a small, measured serving of the cannabis-infused rum, then top the drink with sparkling water. Stir thoroughly to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Finish with a mint sprig or lime wedge if desired.
How Strong Is a Weed Mojito?
This is the most difficult part of making cannabis cocktails at home. Two batches prepared using the same amount of cannabis can still contain different quantities of THC.
For example, 7 g of cannabis containing 10% THC theoretically starts with a very different cannabinoid content than 7 g containing 20% THC. Decarboxylation and extraction are also not perfectly efficient, meaning a simple calculation based solely on the weight of the cannabis can overestimate the THC that ultimately reaches the drink.
This uncertainty makes homemade cannabis cocktails considerably harder to dose than regulated products with laboratory-tested cannabinoid concentrations.
Cannabis and Alcohol: What to Keep in Mind
A weed mojito isn’t simply an ordinary cocktail with an herbal flavor. It combines two intoxicating substances.
Alcohol may intensify some effects of cannabis, including dizziness, impaired coordination, nausea, and changes in judgment. Oral cannabis can also have a delayed onset and relatively long-lasting effects. Drinking more because the first serving “isn’t working yet” can therefore lead to unexpectedly strong effects later.
If consuming cannabis and alcohol together, keep portions conservative, allow plenty of time before considering additional cannabis, and avoid driving, cycling in traffic, operating machinery, or other potentially dangerous activities.
Cannabis laws also vary considerably between countries and regions. Only prepare or consume cannabis-infused drinks where possession and use are legal, and never serve one to another person without clearly telling them that it contains cannabis.