Cannabis Syrup THC Lean Recipe — 5 Simple Steps

Step 2: Add Vegetable Glycerin

Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin to the pot. Vegetable glycerin is not the strongest THC binder (fat is better), but it makes the canna syrup recipe with vegetable glycerin water-miscible — meaning it blends into drinks without separation. Stir it in while the mixture is still warming.

Step 3: Add Decarbed Cannabis and Simmer

Remove the decarbed cannabis from the freezer — storing it cold prevents sticking to the jar. Tip it directly into the pot. Stir to incorporate. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously), then reduce to medium-low heat. Stir continuously for 15 minutes, keeping the temperature at a light simmer. Watch carefully — once the pot gets hot, it can rapidly go from simmer to boil. Remove from the burner briefly if it starts boiling too hard.

Step 4: Cool and Add Citric Acid

After 15 minutes of simmering, remove the pot from heat and let it cool for 5–10 minutes. Once slightly cooled, stir in ¼ teaspoon of citric acid. Citric acid acts as a natural preservative and adds a subtle brightness to the flavour of the THC lean homemade syrup. Do not add it while boiling — high heat can degrade it.

Step 5: Strain and Bottle

Line a funnel with cheesecloth over a clean bottle or mason jar. Pour the syrup through slowly, letting the cheesecloth catch all the plant matter. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract the remaining syrup. Bottle and seal. The leftover cannabis pulp from the cheesecloth can be saved and used in baked goods — do not throw it away. Store your cannabis syrup for cocktails in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Cannabis Simple Syrup Dosage Notes

Fordee used 5 grams of decarbed cannabis (estimated ~18% THC) in this batch. His conservative cannabis simple syrup dosage estimate is approximately 17 mg THC per tablespoon. He notes the actual potency may be slightly higher. For a weaker syrup, use less cannabis or a lower-THC strain. For a stronger syrup, use more cannabis per 470ml of water — the ratio of water to sugar stays the same.

Tip: When you first make a new batch, test with 1 tablespoon (one serving). Wait 90 minutes to assess potency before taking more.

Uses for Cannabis Syrup for Cocktails and Beverages

• Stir into lemonade, iced tea, or fruit punch
• Add to cannabis syrup for cocktails — margaritas, mojitos, daiquiris
• Drizzle over fruit salad or yogurt
• Use to moisten cake layers before frosting
• Mix into cannabis sorbet or ice cream base