CBD is sold in many different edible forms, from gummies and chocolate to even hummus. So, it should be no surprise to learn that there is also a lot of choice on the alcoholic beverage front too. CBD craft beer along with infused spirits are proving a popular choice for consumers.
CBD works as an excellent ingredient in many foods and drinks, so it makes sense that it would pair well with alcohol.
However, we ask the question: should alcohol and CBD be mixed? We are often told not to mix other substances with alcohol so does that also apply to CBD?
Cannabidiol is commonly recognised as a non-toxic and non-addictive supplement and is often used to boost one’s general well-being. The WHO (World Health Organisation) has stated that CBD is safe and shows no potential for dependency. It’s not psychoactive and will not get you high. Instead, many report possess relaxing and stress busting qualities.
It can be bought in the form of oils, sprays, e-liquids, gummies. There seems to be no end to its versatility and appeal, however, is pairing CBD with alcohol a step too far?
To try and get to the bottom of this question let’s take a close look at the interaction, if any, between CBD and alcohol. We will take you through the findings of key studies and we will even introduce you to some of our favourite drinks’ recipes.
Is it safe to mix CBD and alcohol?
When it is mixed with alcohol its intoxicating effects stay the same, but at the same time CBD’s relaxing effect may be felt more intensely. It remains entirely safe to mix the two, but you must make sure you take all the precautions that you usually would when drinking and use both CBD and alcohol in moderation.
How does CBD and alcohol interact with each other?
A study published in the Psychopharmacology Journal found that subjects who took CBD capsules alongside alcohol had lower blood alcohol levels than those who just took alcohol (Consroe, 1979).
Further Studies with rodents have shown links between CBD and a reduction in the brain cell degeneration caused by alcohol (Liput, 2013). They also found that taking CBD 30 minutes before alcohol reduces the potential for oxidative damage to the liver (Yang 2014).
While these findings point towards some positive effects there is still relatively little research on this interaction. This could create yet another role for CBD in the future, but, for now there is still a lot left to understand in the relationship between CBD and alcohol and the benefits it could potentially bring.
Can CBD help me drink less?
Some research has indicated that prolonged use of high levels of alcohol can diminish your body of the natural endocannabinoids, along with the receptors CB1 and CB2 that make up your Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is crucial in maintaining your general health and well-being.
With low levels of endocannabinoids, your body can struggle to combat issues such as anxiety and stress. The presence of a cannabinoid like CBD may, therefore, have the potential for reducing the intake of alcohol.
Healthy CBD drinks & mocktail recipes:
To celebrate the possibilities of CBD and alcohol and to raise a glass to their potential winning combination we would like to share a few of our favourite CBD cocktails. To ensure CBD stays the star of the show we have also shared some delicious mocktail recipes too. We hope you enjoy.
CBD Sangria
Our CBD sangria is a wonderfully fruity way to enjoy your dose of CBD. The recipe also includes red wine which, when drunk in moderation may slow damage to your blood vessels and maintain a healthy heart.
Ingredients:
- 1 orange: with the peel removed and diced into chunks
- Seasonal fruit: (We love strawberries or peaches in the warmer months, and apples and pears in cooler months)
- The juice of 1 lemon
- 1 bottle of red wine (ideally Spanish if you are going to do it properly)
- 125ml: orange juice (ideally fresh)
- CBD oil (measured to your preference)
- Lots of ice
- Soda water (optional)
- Mint to garnish
Instructions:
- Put all the ingredients in a large jug (bar the ice) and stir them all together.
- Place the Sangria in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Before serving, give it one last stir to make sure the oil remains combined,
- Pour over a glass of ice and top with soda water if desired.
- Garnish with mint
In a Rush?
Sangria doesn’t require as long a rest in the fridge before serving if you start with a chilled wine and fresh flavourful fruit. Squeezing half of an orange directly into the wine makes it taste a little fruity right from the start and the fragrance of the remaining fruit will really bring out the sweet flavours.
Shirley Ginger
Our take on a Shirley Temple and in honour of our great aunty Shirley.
Ingredients:
- 900ml: Ginger Beer
- 250ml: Soda
- 3: tbsp lime juice
- 60ml: Grenadine
Instructions:
- Stir the ginger beer, soda, lime juice, and grenadine all together.
- Pour the mixture into large glasses with ice.
- Garnish with little lime.
CBD and Pomegranate Mocktail
CBD Pomegranate Mocktail. This is a fruity mocktail recipe with a CBD twist. Perfect for garden parties and celebrations with friends. The intensity of the apple, pomegranate and ginger mellows the CBD flavour giving a well-rounded taste of summer.
Ingredients:
- 200ml: Fresh pressed apple juice (if possible, use fresh juice from a variety such as Cox’s.)
- 200ml: of pomegranate juice
- 60ml: agave syrup
- 120ml ginger beer
- Juice of 2 large lemons
- 12 cucumber slices
- 4 handfuls of ice
- CBD oil (measured to your preference)
- Mint leaves and pomegranate seeds to garnish (particularly important as they really do make all the difference)
Instructions:
- Add the cucumber, CBD oil, and syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill four large glasses with ice.
- Now add the pomegranate and lemon juice to the shaker then give the cocktail shaker a ruffle and pour into each of the glasses.
- Top up the glasses with 30ml ginger beer,
- Finish with the mint garnish and all-important pomegranate seeds.
Optional: If you want to make the mocktail into a cocktail, Pimms works very well.
Moscow Mule avec CBD:
This is one of our favourites and it is so easy to make!
Ingredients:
- 50 ml: Vodka (optional)
- 150 ml: Ginger beer
- 5 ml: freshly squeezed lime juice
- Half a lime: cut into wedges
- 3: sprigs mint
- CBD oil (measured to your preference)
Instructions:
- Add the ice to your glass along with the freshly squeezed lime and vodka (optional if you are going virgin)
- Followed by the ginger beer.
- Garnish the glass with the mint and lime wedges to finish.
CBD Spiced Mojito Mocktail
We have saved the most extravagant for last. This CBD Spiced Mojito Mocktail will take a little longer and is definitely a bit of a show-off but it is 100% worth the effort.
Ingredients:
- 4: Limes
- 1: Handful of fresh mint leaves
- 4: Large handfuls of ice
- 150ml: Soda Water
- A thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
- 1: Lemongrass stalk
- CBD oil (measured to your preference)
- 5: tbsp brown sugar
- 5: tbsp water
Instructions:
- Peel the ginger and grate it into a small saucepan then finely chop only the white part of the lemongrass and add to the pan.
- Squeeze the juice from one of the limes and add to the pan
- Add the sugar and water to the pan.
- Put the pan on medium heat until all the sugar has dissolved
- Leave to cool and then strain through a sieve or muslin.
- Slice the remaining limes into wedges and share between the 4 glasses
- Divide the mint leaves between the glasses (saving a few for decoration at the end)
- Using the end of a rolling pin or wooden spoon to blend the limes and mint together
- Add the CBD oil (measured to your preference) to each glass
- Add a handful of ice to each glass and pour a double measure of syrup that has now cooled from the saucepan
- Stir all the ingredients vigorously and finish with a splash of soda water and a sprig of mint.
We hope you enjoy our CBD mock / cocktails!
Disclaimer:
CBD is sold as a food supplement, and as a result, It’s illegal to claim it treats, prevents, or helps cure an illness or disease. No health claims have been made in this article.