Making your first alcohol tincture

Golden Cannabis Tincture (Everclear)

Unlike the “Green Dragon”, the Gold Dragon tincture uses pre-cleaned, pre-decarbed cannabis to create a clean, clear tincture that takes half the time to make. This tincture can be used sublingually as well as in recipes like canna-sugar.

What is a cannabis tincture?

If this is your first time making a tincture or you are just curious, the first question you may have is what is a tincture? Cannabis alcohol tinctures are alcohol-based cannabis extracts, the alcohol acts as a solvent to separate the trichomes from the cannabis/ hemp flower. Once the trichomes separate from the flower into the alcohol, you want the alcohol to off gas so all that remains is a tincture with most of the alcohol evaporated.

If this is your first time making tinctures you will want to keep in mind a few things. Every step is important and you must start by making sure you use the right type of alcohol, the right potency flower, and being ready to decarb your flower which takes a good amount of time.

Choosing the right type of alcohol for tinctures

When picking alcohol for making tinctures it is important to find high-proof alcohol that is safe for consumption. The higher the alcohol content, the better it will dissolve cannabis resin. When making tinctures, Everclear (In California max of 120 proof available, outside you may be able to get 180 Proof) is my alcohol of choice although I also like using Bicardi 151 Proof, since it is safe to consume and highly potent.

WARNING! Products such as isopropyl alcohol are not intended to be consumed and should never be used when making a tincture! Always check the label to make sure it is safe for consumption!

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Let's make a Tincture

Time

Prep: 5 minutes + 12 hours

Infusion: 1 minute 2 X day for 3 days= Total of 6 minuets

Final Process: 2 minutes

Recipe Supplies

• 2 x Ball Jars (or similar resealable freezer-safe jar) 8oz

• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

Ingredients:

• ¼ oz Cleaned and Decarbed Cannabis flower (final weight should be 3.6 grams after cleaning and decarbing)

• 1 cup Everclear

Steps:

1. Place 1 of the Ball jars in the freezer for at least 2 hours.

   1. Remove immediately prior to steps 2 & 3.

2. Break up buds and stems and place all of them into the pre-frozen jar.

3. Pour Everclear into the other jar. Seal them up and freeze overnight.

4. Pour Freezer Cold Everclear over buds and stems, cover, and shake.

5. Put the mixture in the BACK of the freezer.

   1. Remove and shake 2 X a day for 3 days. (10 days if you only have 120 proof alcohol).

6. Strain into a Ball Jar using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the plant matter from the tincture.

7. Leave jar, uncovered in a cool dark place for 24 hours. Enjoy!

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Dosing

Now that you have your tincture ready to go let's discuss dosing. When dosing with a tincture you want to be careful since its a highly concentrated form of cannabinoids. When making my tincture I used a strain of cannabis with 22% THC, which would be approx 50 mg/ tsp or .25 mg/ drop, or simpler would be 20 drops should yield be approx 5 milligrams. Remember to start low and go slow, all dosing is approximated without getting a lab test.

Tons of uses

Infused tinctures can be incorporated into all sorts of meals and beverages:

• Gummies

• Sugar

• Juices

• Ice creams and sherbets

• Soups

• Mashed potatoes and gravy

• Salad dressing

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