Whether you’re buoyantly celebrating with loved ones at the annual party or stealing a quiet moment for yourself during the cold winter months, nothing beats indulging in the season’s magic with a cozy cup of piping hot chocolate.
Or does it? Elevate these special moments with our cannabis hot chocolate recipe! Read on for our convenient, step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect cup of THC-infused hot chocolate this winter.
Why THC-Infused Hot Chocolate?
From ancient herbal remedies to traditional ceremonial practices, the infusion of cannabis in beverages has been done for thousands of years, and today, we can enjoy this tradition in the form of THC hot chocolate.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid and the main “active ingredient” in cannabis. It is also the primary compound responsible for the characteristic “high” we associate with cannabis.
As the weather gets chillier, enjoying a cozy cup of THC-infused hot chocolate is a relaxing way of indulging in the psychoactive effects of cannabis—without having to venture outside into the cold to smoke it!
The psychoactive effects of infused hot chocolate depend on various factors, including its THC content, your individual endocannabinoid system, or ECS, the amount of food in your stomach, tolerance, metabolism, mood, and more.
So, how quickly you feel the effects after drinking your THC hot chocolate may not align with how long it takes to kick in for your friend who you’re sipping it with. Like an edible, infused hot chocolate works gradually as we drink it, and our bodies digest and metabolize it.
The onset of effects of infused hot chocolate can vary. Generally, onset time can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption, with effects peaking around 2 hours and lasting up to 6 hours or more.
Mastering the Art of Infusion: Why Infuse the Base of Your Hot Chocolate?
Cannabis hot chocolate can be made in a few different ways, with varying levels of difficulty. Some choose to simply add ground flower directly into their drink, while others can opt for a more refined approach.
We know that there’s an art to its creation. The secret to a delectable THC-infused hot chocolate? Infusing the base.
While this method requires a little bit more elbow grease, the results are that much more enjoyable.
As opposed to adding flower right into the hot chocolate, infusing the base gives the drink a more potent infusion and even distribution of THC. It produces more consistently dosed portions of your THC-infused hot chocolate as well. One thing to consider when it comes to THC-levels in your hot chocolate is the potency of the flower you are using.
Let’s illustrate with an example. Say you are using cannabis flower that contains 20% THC (details which you will always find when purchasing cannabis from a licensed, regulated cannabis dispensary like Mission!). If you use 1 gram (or 1,000 milligrams) of flower for your hot chocolate, then the THC content of that gram would be about 200 milligrams (mg)—a very potent dose for a single drink!
With that said, not all of the THC in the flower will make it into your hot chocolate base. When using a dedicated decarboxylation machine, one experiment found that there was a 50% infusion rate for milk and a 70% infusion rate with cream. Cream absorbs more of the THC because cannabinoids are fat-loving compounds, and cream has a higher fat content.
Even with a 50% infusion rate, if your flower contains 20% THC, using a gram for a single cup would still be fairly potent. This is why we recommend using ⅛ gram per cup of hot chocolate, but you can adjust this depending on the potency of the flower you use.
Our cannabis hot chocolate recipe features the use of infused milk or cream, which you can easily make at home yourself.
Read on to learn how!
How to Make THC Hot Chocolate: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Learning how to make THC hot chocolate is pretty simple, and with a little patience, you can prepare a comforting cup of cannabis hot chocolate right at home.
Check out our step-by-step guide below to learn how.
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
To make THC hot chocolate, the first step is to grab your cannabis, ingredients, and tools. You’ll need an oven, a stovetop, and just a few items to start. We’ve included ingredients for one cup, but you can easily scale up to make more.
Ingredients:
- ⅛ to ¼ gram of ground, decarboxylated cannabis
- 1 cup of whole milk (or milk alternative such as oat, nut or soy) or cream
- 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-2 tablespoons of sugar (adjust to taste)
Optional Additions:
- Whipped cream or marshmallows for topping
- A dash of nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt
- ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Equipment:
- Saucepan or double boiler/heatproof bowl over a pot
- Whisk
- Fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
Step 2: Decarboxylate your cannabis.
An essential first step in crafting the perfect THC-infused hot chocolate is decarboxylation.
Decarboxylation involves the process of heating up your ground-up raw cannabis flower in order to “activate” it, transforming THCA into THC.
You can easily decarb your ground cannabis in the oven by spreading it evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, covering it with foil, and baking it on the center rack for 20-30 minutes at 240°F. Rotate halfway through for even heating.
Note that this process will make your kitchen smell, so open up a window! Once it’s done, your weed should look a bit darker in color.
Step 3: Infuse your base.
Now that your weed is decarbed and ready to go, step 2 is to infuse your base.
We recommend infusing milk or cream with higher fat content, like whole milk, because THC is extremely fat-soluble, meaning it binds to fat more effectively.
Infusing your base can be done in a saucepan, which might be the most convenient option for most people. Or, it can be done using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over simmering water.
How to Make THC-Infused Milk for Hot Chocolate Using a Saucepan:
- In a saucepan, combine your milk and decarboxylated cannabis.
- Heat on the lowest possible stovetop setting for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Do not let it boil!
How to Make THC-Infused Milk for Hot Chocolate Using a Double Boiler or Heatproof Bowl:
- In a double boiler or heatproof bowl over simmering water, combine your milk and decarboxylated cannabis.
- Infuse for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally and replenishing the water in your double boiler as needed
- Avoid boiling to prevent burning.
After infusing your milk, strain the mixture to remove any plant material, using a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter.
Voila! Now you have cannabis-infused milk you can use to craft the ultimate cup of cannabis hot chocolate. You can store this infused mixture in the fridge for up to a week.
Step 4: Whisk all ingredients together.
In a saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and preferred spices. Gradually whisk in your infused milk until well combined.
Step 5: Heat it up.
Heat your THC-infused hot chocolate over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches your desired temperature. Again: Be careful to not let it boil!
Step 6: Enjoy your THC hot chocolate
Carefully pour the THC-infused hot chocolate into your favorite mug and enjoy. Add some whipped cream and marshmallows on top, and you’re in business!
Craft Your Perfect Cup with Mission
Our cannabis hot chocolate recipe provides you with a classic and straightforward method of enjoying some delicious THC hot chocolate. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t play around with it!
Now that you know how to make THC hot chocolate, don’t hesitate to unleash your culinary creativity. This classic recipe is a canvas waiting for your personal touch; from exotic spices to specialty chocolates, the possibilities are endless.
Additionally, if you’re looking to utilize infused chocolate, sugar, or butter you already have, these can be added to your mix if you prefer a speedier cannabis hot chocolate recipe. You can also choose to add a cannabis tincture into your drink for an even quicker preparation.
Ready to craft and enjoy your own comforting cup of cannabis hot chocolate at home? You deserve it!
Explore Mission’s selection of high-quality cannabis products now, ensuring you have everything you need to treat yourself this holiday season. Find a location near you to start shopping today!
