As a bartender who’s also an avid cannabis consumer, I’m often asked what I’d drink when I’m smoking. While I can’t advocate for crossfading, there are always delicious, simple, nonalcoholic beverages I love indulging in. Since fall is here, I wanted to offer seasonal options where everyone will find something they vibe with.
The Peach Goodbye
Ingredients
- 3 chopped peaches
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup water
- 1.5 ounces fresh lemon juice
- Soda water
- Ice
Instructions
Combine 3 chopped peaches, ¼ cup honey, and ½ cup water in a pot. Boil and stir until peaches are mushy (about 15 minutes). Strain, then add 1.5 ounces of that syrup, 1.5 ounces fresh lemon juice, and ice in a Collins glass. Top with soda water. Effervescent, clean, and refreshing.
The Berry Smash
Ingredients
- 3-4 blackberries
- Half a lime cut into wedges
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Soda water
- Mint sprig
- Ice
Instructions
Add 3-4 blackberries, half a lime cut into wedges, and a teaspoon of maple syrup into a glass. Smash everything together as best you can, then add ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a mint sprig you slapped between your hands. This is that drink you want when you get cottonmouth—fruity, herbaceous, and quenching.
The Autumn Warmer
Ingredients
- Apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
Simmer apple cider with a cinnamon stick, fresh ginger, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. (Pro tip: 15 minutes minimum, but don’t go longer than an hour!) Serve hot in a mug with ground cinnamon for those cold, late night smoke sessions. You could also serve it iced or top with ginger beer for a nonalcoholic Moscow Mule! Warming, spicy, and soothing.
Photo: Steaming mug on cozy blanket with cinnamon sticks and autumn leaves.
The Coffee Revelation
Ingredients
- Iced espresso or cold brew
- Tonic water
- Lemon twist
Instructions
For my coffee lovers, if you’ve never had iced espresso or cold brew with tonic and a twist of lemon, it will change your post-smoke, post-dinner experience! You can trust me: I’m a bartender!
These are all super customizable! Swap soda and tonic water if that’s what you prefer! Only have limes or lemons? Either works! Use different fruit, berries, or herbs! Feel free to change things based on what you have at home!
Happy Fall + Spooky Season (for my horror movie fans)! Come say hi @whoisrosselliott
