How To Make THC Syrup — A Quick And Simple Recipe

Using cannabis-infused oils or butters to craft baked goods and savoury dishes is one of the most popular ways to enjoy edibles. But did you know that, with a bit of sugar and water, you can whip up a delicious THC syrup in virtually no time at all?

Keep reading for an introduction to THC syrup and a simple step-by-step recipe on how to make some at home.

What is THC syrup?

THC syrup is a super delicious edible made using sugar, water, cannabis, and flavourings. Whether you enjoy it as a sweetener in tea or coffee, on a hot pile of pancakes, or simply on its own, this mouth-watering syrup is sure to not only please your taste buds, but also deliver that kick of THC we all know and love.

Cannabis syrups typically have a clear or golden colour (similar to that of vape juice) and a rich, thick texture similar to maple syrup or cough medicine. They are also deliciously sweet and can be made with a wide variety of aromatic ingredients for more exciting flavours. THC syrup usually delivers the same effects as regular edibles, although it tends to set in a little quicker as it is far easier to digest.

Due to its potency and high sugar content, we recommend using THC syrup in moderation and paying close attention to dosing. Despite having a somewhat faster onset, cannabis syrup can still take some time to kick in, but it delivers long-lasting effects. As always, we recommend starting small and waiting about 1 hour before taking a second dose to get a feel for the syrup's effects and potency, as well as your tolerance (see the section on dosing below for more information).

Note: THC syrup shouldn’t be confused with sizzurp or lean, the highly addictive and dangerous codeine-based brew made from prescription-strength linctus, soft drinks, and fruit-flavoured hard candy.

THC Syrup vs Oil

THC syrup can have a similar look and texture to canna oil, but the two are different. In fact, THC syrup can contain cannabis oil as a main ingredient. That said, canna oil tends to be used to infuse both savoury and sweet dishes, whereas THC syrup is a sweet ingredient that is very easy and quick to make, and can be used just like you would any regular syrup.

How to make THC syrup

Making THC syrup is super simple. Below, we'll share a very easy recipe for a basic syrup, but remember to experiment! You can dress your syrup up with aromatics like cloves and star anise, lemon zest, herbs (such as basil and rosemary), and much, much more.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 20 grams

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Ingredients

• 3 cups filtered, non-chlorinated water
• 2 tbsp vegetable glycerin
• 2 grams finely ground cannabis buds (or 1 gram cannabis concentrate—e.g. BHO)
• 3 cups sugar; feel free to use muscovado or brown sugar, but keep in mind that these sugars will make your syrup dark and cloudy

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Strainer
• Cheesecloth
• Mason jar or bottle for storing your syrup

Weed Curing Jar

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Optional Flavourings

• Cinnamon sticks
• Fresh vanilla beans
• Whole spices (such as cloves, star anise, cardamom)
• Fresh fruits
• Herbs

Directions

1. If you’re using cannabis flower, make sure to grind your bud, spread it out on a lined baking sheet, and place it in a preheated oven at 110°C for roughly 30 minutes. This process, known as decarboxylation, helps to activate the cannabinoids in dry flowers and ensure your syrup is nice and potent. Remember to take your bud out of the oven after about 20 minutes and move it around the baking sheet to keep it decarbing evenly. You’ll know it's ready to use when your kitchen smells lightly of dank weed!

Note: If you're using cannabis concentrate, the need to decarboxylate your material will vary depending on the product. For example, while cannabis oils should already be decarbed, concentrates like BHO will require heating. In the latter case, heat the BHO on a silicone mat or parchment paper in a heat-proof dish at the same temperature and for the same time as the ground herb.

2. Combine water, sugar, and any aromatics you’re using in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and stir the syrup continuously until all of the sugar has dissolved.

3. Add in your decarbed bud or concentrate and cook for 30 minutes, stirring constantly. Add in the vegetable glycerin, continue cooking for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.

4. Allow the cannabis-infused syrup to cool completely, then strain it through a strainer lined with cheesecloth to remove any plant material, as well as any aromatics you used to flavour your syrup.

How to use THC syrup

Cannabis syrup is arguably one of the most versatile edibles out there. Below, we’ll walk you through some of our favourite ways to enjoy this stoner delicacy.

As a Simple Syrup

THC syrup can be used just like you’d use maple syrup or any other simple syrup. This can include:

• To sweeten waffles, pancakes, or French toast
• To moisten cakes and other baked goods
• For poaching fruit (such as pears, plums, and apples)
• To sweeten sorbet
• As a dressing for fruit salad
• To sweeten fresh yoghurt or oatmeal
• In marinades
• As an alternative to sugar, stevia, or other sweeteners

Mix THC Syrup With Water and Other Drinks

One of the best ways to use THC syrup is to sweeten cold drinks or brews such as coffee and tea. Make sure to try it:

• With sparkling water for a refreshing alternative to soda
• In tea or coffee
• In cold brews such as iced coffee or iced tea
• In lemonades
• In fresh fruit juices and virgin cocktails
• In lemon or cucumber water

Consume THC Syrup Sublingually

Another great way to enjoy THC syrup is by taking it sublingually like a regular cannabis tincture. When placed under the tongue, some of the cannabinoids in the syrup are absorbed by the capillary vessels in the lining of the mouth and delivered straight to the bloodstream. This can make the effects of the syrup set in a little faster, which is great for when you want to enjoy that kick of THC without waiting 30 minutes to 1 hour.

How to dose THC syrup

Dosing cannabis edibles can always be a bit tricky. If you’ve stuck to the recipe mentioned above, 1 teaspoon of syrup should provide a nice, clear-headed, euphoric buzz that’ll still allow you to go about your day. If you’re looking for a heavier, more psychedelic effect, consider taking 2–3 tablespoons of syrup. As always, we recommend starting low and building up your dose gradually.

Does THC syrup expire?

Thanks to its high sugar content, weed syrup doesn’t expire. Nonetheless, as with any ingredient you use in the kitchen, we always recommend using fresh syrup whenever possible. For best results, we recommend whipping up small batches at a time (just enough to last you 1–2 months) to ensure you’ve always got access to fresh, potent, and tasty syrup.

Does THC Syrup Have To Be Refrigerated?

Yes. We always recommend storing your THC syrup in a glass container (avoid plastic bottles as their chemicals are known to leak into liquids as the plastic degrades) in the door of your refrigerator. Again, THC syrup won’t go off thanks to its high sugar content, but keeping it in the fridge will keep it fresher for longer.

There you have it! Now that you know how to make, use, and store THC syrup, it's time to get in the kitchen and start cooking!

Steven Voser

Steven Voser is an independent cannabis journalist with over 6 years of experience writing about all things weed; how to grow it, how best to enjoy it, and the booming industry and murky legal landscape surrounding it.

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