Lifted Lemonade Cannabis Cocktail Recipe

This post is for one of my favorite cannabis cocktail recipes: lifted lemonade (a recipe from the second edition of the Wake + Bake eCookbook)

But when I sat down to write it, it turned out to be more of a story about finally putting an end to turning lemons into lemonade – for once and for all.

You see… one day – a little over three weeks ago, I was sitting on the small yellow velvet sofa in our little house in Bellingham WA.

It was what you might consider a perfect PNW morning. 

The lilac that crowded my front window was in full bloom, offering privacy and attracting hummingbirds. I was staring in that general direction when I had the thought, “why are we here?”

It wasn’t an existential “why are we here?” on this planet, but more of a logistical question.

For the first time in the almost two years that we’d landed in Washington, I couldn’t remember for the life of me what we were doing there.

As a completely solo parent, I found myself hustling hard to pay those notoriously high bills that come with living in the glory of the Pacific Northwest. 

And because my workload was becoming crippling, I was scuttling Alice from activity to activity, full school days to aftercare programs, to soccer and then to improv or play practice or choir. 

We were becoming two ships in the night and in those nights we were both too emotionally and physically exhausted to do anything but watch Simpson’s reruns – hearing Nelson’s “HA HA” echo around the room.

So the question “Why are we here?” kept popping up.

The question echoed as I checked in on all of the dreams I’d had about living in Bellingham when we set our sights on this place. 

I dreamt that I’d be around more humans to network with in the plant medicine space. 

I had dreams of sea kayak camping, whale watching, and crabbing.

I envisioned us camping and foraging with a community that we loved being a part of.

Some of those dreams had become a reality, but instead of easing into a new life, I found myself taking on new contracts to cover the bills, going to the gym to try to get as much movement into shorter and shorter amounts of available time, trying to finish a long overdue cookbook, and shuffling Alice from playdate to activity to playdate to activity. 

In many ways, I found a lot of joy in it (and I was getting ripped 🤓), but in many ways I was at the end of my rope.

The biggest difference after our move was that our bills had nearly tripled, and I was burning out my daughter and myself in the same breath trying to cover it all while also being the sole domestic force in our lives. 

Alice was technically doing well in school, but she in the evenings she often ended up in tears while recounting the day’s events. She was making the best out of things too, but I could tell that my work load and her experiences at school were weighing on her.

“Why are we here?” the thought echoed while I did my best to hold it together enough to be a parent at the end of the day.

All of April, the theme of turning lemons into lemonade was front and center in my mind.

I’d been thinking how good Alice and I are at it.

Taking hard situations and making them magical.

Alchemizing pain into joy.

Finding the most beauty in the most challenging experiences.

I boasted that fact to several people in passing in April, and reflected that maybe that’s all I was really meant to do in this life, was to make the best out of every possible situation no matter how challenging it is.

To hold space for other people’s pain so it could heal and transform.

To ultimately “turn shit into fertilizer” as I’d been taught by a yoga teacher so many years ago.

So I felt resigned to doing the hard thing and making it as beautiful as humanely possible.

Then on April 20th (yes on 4/20), while talking to a friend on the phone in the middle of the night, her daughter randomly walked into the room and said, “When you get lemons, throw them away. Making lemonade is too hard.”

Then she simply turned and went back to bed.

I don’t want to admit that something a child said while virtually sleepwalking would change my perspective so easily, but it did.

I was shook.

For the first time, I really considered why I was always choosing the hard path; why I was always making my bed (poorly) and then lying in it, trying to dream from a place of discomfort, trapped in an endless feat to make the most of it while being tangled in blankets, with my pillow at my feet.

I wondered what it would look like if I said “fuck lemons” and chucked them into the bin.

What would life be if we were to simplify and make things easier?

So one night in the middle of May, I started looking at home school options. While adding home schooling to the docket of an already insane schedule felt truly unhinged, I knew that something had to change. And Alice got first place on the docket when it came to getting rid of our lemons.

Within 48 hours, I’d found an online option that was perfect to support her while I worked. 

Within another 72 hours, I’d found a van that was perfect for us to road school in. 

Within 7 days, I found myself flying out to Los Angeles to pick it up.

That night, I found myself driving it north through the 7 lanes of LA traffic in the middle of the night heading back to Alice.

A week after picking up the Bean, we found ourselves back on the western slope of Colorado at the end of May.

It was dry, dusty, and familiar.

We hopped on horses, rafts, and rope swings. 

We spent time with family and old friends on gondolas and in mountain towns that hold both my fondest and most challenging lemonade-making memories. `

I co-worked at the hot springs with a starlink strapped to the top of the van and got more done in three hours than I had in three weeks of the hustle and grind in Washington.

After work, I headed back into the sauna and swapped tales of rogue bears breaking into cars and studio apartments with strangers. 

And in the midst of all our desert travels, mountain town wandering, and hot springs work sprints, I got really sore…

… and really really thirsty.

And sure… I didn’t want any metaphorical lemonade anymore, but I knew a recipe for weed lemonade that was easy, and that would be perfect for a toast to our new adventure.

This lifted lemonade is perfect for both hydration and sore muscles (say from driving 2400 miles in a week). 

It’s great for those days when you’re asking “why are we here?” and you’re ready to sit and wait for what’s next to reveal itself.

It’s wonderful for those times in your life when you realize you have a thirst for something that can’t be found from the comfort of your little yellow sofa in the sweet house where you thought your dreams would come true. 

It’s the best recipe I know for when you’re ready to stop “turning lemons into lemonade” in the figurative sense, but really want some lemonade IRL.

I hope you love it.

With love,

CT

Ingredients

• Juice from 4 large lemons
• 8 cups cold filtered water
• 4 doses of tincture or 4 teaspoons infused honey
• Honey or stevia, to taste
• ⅛ teaspoon real salt

Method

1. In a blender (or a ½ gallon mason jar with a lid), combine lemon juice, water, tincture or infused honey, sweetener of choice, and salt.
2. Blend or shake well until fully combined.
3. Chill in the fridge and serve over ice.

Fun Facts

Lemons are not just for detox Pinterest boards. They’re loaded with vitamin C, which supports your immune system and skin health.

Cannabis + citrus = entourage effect magic. The limonene terpene found in lemon zest and many sativa strains can enhance mood and alertness. It’s like sipping on sunshine.

Real salt matters. That tiny pinch isn’t just for taste. It helps replenish trace minerals and supports electrolyte balance. Your body will say thank you, especially if you’re in the height of summer or find yourself unexpectedly back in the high desert heat.

Tincture vs infused honey? Go with what you’ve got. Tinctures can be more precise for dosing (great for newbies or control freaks—I see you), but infused honey brings a mellow sweetness and is amazing stirred into tea, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make this with CBD instead of THC?
• Absolutely. Use your favorite full-spectrum CBD tincture or infused honey. You’ll still get the digestion and hydration perks, with a side of chill.
• How much should I drink?
• Start with ½ cup to 1 cup depending on your dose, especially if you’re new to edibles. The beauty of cannabis cocktails is how easy they are to customize.
• How do I know the right dose for me?
• Dial in your dose. Not sure how strong your lemonade will be? Use the Free Dosage Calculator to get it just right. No more guessing games. Just tasty, intentional sipping.
• Can I use bottled lemon juice?
• Technically yes… but fresh is best. Bottled lemon juice can taste flat and lacks the lively zing that makes this lemonade sing.
• Can I use regular salt instead of real salt?
• You can, but real salt (like Redmond or Himalayan) adds trace minerals that support hydration and taste better. Think of it as a tiny upgrade with a big payoff.

Learn More Infused Recipes Like This

📘 Download the Wake + Bake Cookbook for dozens of cannabis-infused recipes, including granola bars, body care, and infused oils.

🔥 Make infusion easy with the Ardent FX—perfect for reliable dosing.

🎓 Want to teach others how to make healthy edibles? Join the Cannabis Coaching Institute and become a certified educator.

Final Thoughts

This lemonade is more than a cannabis cocktail. A tall, refreshing glass of yes-you-can-get-through-this, with a splash of plant-powered support.

It’s perfect for hot days, post-workout recovery, or anytime you need a little boost to brighten your mood and focus. Plus, it’s easy to make, keeps you hydrated, and delivers all those good vibes in every sip.

Now go forth, sip consciously, and maybe just change your whole life.

Disclaimer

This post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before adding cannabis to your wellness routine.

Check your local laws before making or consuming cannabis-infused products. Store all edibles safely and out of reach of children and pets.