How to Make Cannabis Tincture Non Alcoholic: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Looking to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without alcohol? You’re in the right place!
Whether you’re a cannabis novice or an experienced user, creating your own tincture at home can be both empowering and rewarding.
But what if you’re not interested in using alcohol? No worries—making alcohol-free cannabis tinctures is simple, cost-effective, and offers unique benefits that alcohol-based tinctures can’t.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a potent, alcohol-free cannabis tincture using just food-grade glycerine.
What Makes Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tinctures Unique?
An alcohol-free cannabis tincture replaces alcohol with a non-alcoholic solvent, such as food-grade glycerine. Glycerine is a natural, non-toxic substance that can effectively extract cannabinoids from cannabis, giving you a potent tincture without the need for alcohol. This makes glycerine tinctures a great choice for anyone looking to avoid alcohol for personal, health, or religious reasons.
While alcohol is a popular solvent due to its efficiency, glycerine has its own set of advantages. Not only is it gentler on your system, but it’s also more affordable than alcohol.
Plus, it adds a slightly sweet taste, making it more palatable for some users.
Benefits of Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tinctures
There are several compelling reasons to choose glycerine-based cannabis tinctures:
- No Alcohol Consumption: Ideal for those who avoid alcohol for personal preferences, health concerns, or religious reasons.
- Cost-Effective: Glycerine is more affordable than alcohol, making this method budget-friendly.
- Discreet and Portable: Just like all tinctures, glycerine-based tinctures are easy to carry and discreet, making them perfect for on-the-go use.
- Fast-Acting: When taken sublingually (under the tongue), tinctures can take effect in minutes. If consumed orally, the effects can kick in within 30 minutes.
- Full Control: Making your own tincture gives you control over the ingredients, strain selection, and potency.
- More Palatable: Glycerine tinctures are naturally sweeter, making them a more pleasant option for those who dislike the taste of alcohol-based tinctures.
Correlated Articol:
How to Make Cannabis Tincture Non-Alcoholic: Step-by-Step Guide
Making your own alcohol-free cannabis tincture is simple. You can use two methods: hot extraction or cold extraction.
Both methods are straightforward and require only a few ingredients and basic equipment.
1. Hot Extraction Method
Ingredients Needed:
- Food-grade glycerine
- Decarboxylated dry cannabis buds or trim
Equipment Needed:
- Slow cooker (crock pot)
- Coffee grinder or blender
- Cheesecloth
- Glass jar
- Dropper bottles (for storage)
Directions:
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Fill the slow cooker with 1-2 inches of water and set the temperature to 80°C (175°F). Use the “keep warm” setting to maintain consistent heat throughout the extraction process.
- Grind the Cannabis: Use a coffee grinder or blender to finely grind your decarbed cannabis.
- Combine Glycerine and Cannabis: Place the ground cannabis into a glass jar, then pour glycerine over it until the herb is fully submerged.
- Heat the Mixture: Place the jar into the warm slow cooker and let it sit for 6-24 hours. The longer it sits, the more potent your tincture will be.
- Cool and Strain: Once the desired extraction time has passed, turn off the slow cooker and allow the jar to cool. Strain the tincture through cheesecloth into a clean container. Glycerine can thicken, so it may take a bit longer to strain.
- Store the Tincture: Pour the strained tincture into dropper bottles for easy dosing.
2. Cold Extraction Method
Ingredients Needed:
- Food-grade glycerine
- Decarboxylated dry cannabis buds or trim
Equipment Needed:
- Glass jar
- Coffee grinder or blender
- Cheesecloth
- Dropper bottles (for storage)
Directions:
- Grind the Cannabis: Just like the hot method, grind the decarbed cannabis finely.
- Combine Glycerine and Cannabis: Place the ground cannabis into a glass jar, then pour glycerine over it until the herb is fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly.
- Let It Sit: Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 3-5 weeks. For more potent results, you can steep the tincture for up to six months, shaking the jar regularly to help release the cannabinoids.
- Strain and Store: Once the tincture has steeped for the desired time, strain it through cheesecloth into a clean container, then decant into dropper bottles.
How to Flavor Your Cannabis Tincture
While glycerine-based tinctures naturally have a mild sweetness, you can enhance the flavor with these options:
1. Natural Herbs and Spices:
Adding herbs and spices not only improves the taste but also offers therapeutic benefits:
- Peppermint: Refreshing and helps with digestion.
- Lavender: Calms the mind and promotes better sleep.
- Ginger: Adds a spicy kick and helps with nausea.
- Vanilla: Smooth, naturally sweet flavor.
💡 Tip: Add herbs or spices directly to your tincture and let them infuse for at least a week before straining.
2. Natural Extracts:
Food-grade extracts can give your tincture a unique twist:
- Vanilla extract: Sweet and creamy.
- Almond extract: Warm, nutty undertones.
- Citrus extracts: Add a refreshing lemon or orange zing.
💡 Tip: Add a few drops of extract to your filtered tincture and mix well.
3. Natural Sweeteners:
If you prefer an even sweeter tincture, try these natural options:
- Honey or maple syrup (best added just before use).
- Stevia: A calorie-free alternative.
💡 Tip: Liquid sweeteners can alter consistency, so use sparingly.
How to Store Your Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tincture
To keep your tincture fresh and potent:
- Store in a cool, dark place: Avoid direct sunlight and heat, which can degrade the tincture.
- Use within six months: Glycerine tinctures last longer than alcohol tinctures, but they may lose potency over time.
Dosage Tips for Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tinctures
Glycerine tinctures may be less potent than alcohol tinctures, so it’s essential to start with a small dose.
Begin with 1-2 drops under your tongue and wait 15-30 minutes before adjusting the dosage. This allows your body to fully absorb the cannabinoids before you decide if more is needed.
Correlated Articol:
Are There Any Disadvantages of Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tinctures?
While glycerine-based tinctures have many benefits, there are a couple of potential downsides to consider:
- Lower Cannabinoid Absorption: Glycerine absorbs fewer cannabinoids compared to alcohol, which may mean you’ll need to use more tincture to achieve the same effect. This can complicate dosing.
- Longer Extraction Time: The cold extraction method can take several weeks or even months to reach full potency, which might be too long for some users.
Conclusion: Why Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tinctures Are a Game-Changer for Your DIY Cannabis Journey
Making alcohol-free cannabis tinctures provides numerous benefits and is an excellent DIY project for anyone wanting to personalize their cannabis experience. Whether you’re using the tincture for medicinal purposes or simply seeking a discreet, potent option, you now have the tools to craft your own at home.
We’d love to hear about your experience—share it with us on our Facebook page or tag us on social media!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ:) about Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tinctures
Alcohol-based tinctures are more efficient at extracting cannabinoids, but glycerine tinctures, made with vegetable glycerin, are a great alternative for those who avoid alcohol or are looking for a sweeter, more palatable option.
Glycerine extracts a bit fewer cannabinoids, but it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a non-alcohol tincture.
Yes! Glycerine tinctures can be used in recipes like gummies or drinks for a non-alcoholic cannabis experience.
This makes glycerine an ideal base for alcohol-free tincture recipes when making cannabis-infused edibles.
You can adjust the potency by controlling the amount of cannabis used and the extraction time.
More cannabis and longer extraction times generally result in a more potent tincture.
For example, using a more concentrated THC tincture or CBD tincture could help increase the effects of your homemade product.
Yes, glycerine tinctures tend to be less potent than alcohol tinctures due to the differences in solvent extraction.
However, you can compensate by using more cannabis, longer extraction times, or even combining glycerine with other oils, such as MCT oil, for a richer extraction.
It’s not necessary, but storing your tincture in a cool, dark place will help preserve its potency.
Refrigeration is optional, and as long as you follow proper storage methods, your tincture will remain effective.
The same is true for tinctures like Green Dragon and other alcohol-free variations.
The time it takes to make a cannabis tincture using glycerine can vary depending on the method you choose.
For example, the cold extraction method may take several weeks to months, while the hot extraction method (how to make tincture on the stove) may be completed in just a few hours.
Cannabis tinctures are most commonly taken sublingually (under the tongue) for fast absorption.
However, you can also add them to food or drinks.
If you’re looking for ways to make tincture more enjoyable, try flavoring your tincture with natural extracts like mint or vanilla.
Yes, you can use MCT oil to make cannabis tinctures. This oil is a popular choice for making cannabis tincture due to its smooth texture and easy absorption.
MCT oil can be used in place of glycerine for a more neutral taste, providing an alternative to alcohol-based tinctures for those looking for a versatile option.
To flavor your tincture, you can add essential oils (like peppermint, vanilla, or citrus) or natural flavorings to mask the taste of the glycerine.
Flavoring your tincture can make it more enjoyable and add an extra touch of personalization to your homemade cannabis creation.
The two most popular methods for making alcohol-free cannabis tinctures are the hot extraction method and the cold extraction method.
In both methods, glycerine is used as the base to extract the cannabinoids from the cannabis.
You can also try making cannabis tinctures with oils like MCT oil for a different experience.
Yes, you can use the same process for making a CBD tincture.
Simply use CBD-rich cannabis strains and follow the glycerine tincture recipe as outlined.
The process and techniques remain the same whether you’re making THC or CBD tincture.
The best way to ensure your tincture has the desired potency is by paying attention to your cannabis strain’s THC or CBD content and controlling the amount of cannabis used.
For more accurate potency, you may also want to try laboratory testing or measure the exact dosage of cannabis used in your glycerine cannabis tincture recipe.
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