Rather than hunt for a decent kosher wine, why not make the juice you enjoy a bit more fun with marijuana?

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One exciting way to incorporate cannabis into your holiday dinner is through cannabis-infused beverages. Cannabis drink powders, such as those available on the market, allow for easy and customizable infusion into drinks like tea, juice, or even cocktails. These powders are water-soluble, ensuring quick onset times (around 15-20 minutes) and a smooth experience without the hangover associated with alcohol. For example, a low-dose THC drink can provide a light and sociable buzz perfect for festive gatherings.

Cannabis also pairs well with Jewish culinary traditions. Innovative recipes like cannabis-infused matzo balls or honey cookies have already gained popularity in Jewish cooking circles. Adding cannabis-infused beverages to the mix could create a well-rounded dining experience that blends tradition with modern trends.

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For those concerned about maintaining the sanctity of blessings and rituals, moderation is key. Cannabis in small doses can enhance relaxation and social connection without impairing mindfulness or spiritual engagement. This makes it an excellent choice for celebrating holidays like Passover or Shabbat with intention and joy.

By replacing alcohol with cannabis beverages, you not only explore a healthier option but also embrace an innovative way to honor tradition. Whether you’re sipping on a cannabis-infused mocktail or enjoying a THC-enhanced tea, this modern twist on kosher dining is sure to leave your guests both impressed and inspired.

The weekend is for fun, so here are some affordable cocktails to kick back and relax

There has been a buzz about tariffs and the global stock markets are quaking. But most don’t realize at the end of hte day, as people settle down, their favorite cocktails will be hit. Foreign alcohol is significantly impacted by tariffs imposed by the current adminstartion. These tariffs include a 25% levy on all beer imports, additional tariffs on aluminum used in beer cans, and varying tariffs on wines and spirits from different regions. Popular brands such as Guinness stout (produced by Diageo), Italian Campari liqueur, and imported beers like Corona and Heineken are directly affected. Tequila has been on the list, but currently has escaped.  To help the wallet and the throat, here are the best tariff friendly cocktails.

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Strawberry Bourbon Basil Smash

What better way to relax than with some good, old-fashioned bourbon.  This cocktail combines the rich flavor of barrel aged bourbon with spring treats like strawberries and fresh basil.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup fresh strawberries, cut into chunks
• 5 leaves fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons simple syrup
• 3 fluid ops bourbon
• 1/2 cup ice, or as needed
• 3 fluid ozs sparkling water, or as needed

Create

1. Muddle strawberries, basil, lemon juice, and simple syrup together in a cocktail glass until smashed together and fragrant
2. Add bourbon and ice
3. Stir to combine
4. Top with sparkling water

Hard Ball

After a tough week or if you just want to start the evening off with a different note, consider this cocktail. The story of peanut butter whiskey, most notably Skrewball, begins with Steven Yeng, a Cambodian refugee who, after immigrating to the US, developed a love for peanut butter and later combined it with whiskey to create a popular cocktail at his bar, which eventually led to the creation of the brand in 2018. Skrewball is made in San Diego.

Ingredients

• 1½ ozs Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
• 4 ozs Berry flavored Hard Seltzer

Create

1. Combine ingredients in a highball glass
2. Add ice
3. Stir and enjoy

American Mule

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Cucumber Gimlet

This cocktail feels like you are diving directly into summer, skipping spring.  The cucumber brings a whole level of freshness.  Crisp, cool and completely tariff free.

Ingredients

• 3 cucumber wheels, thickly sliced
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 ozs gin
• 3/4 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Cucumber wheel, sliced thinly for garnish

Create

The darkness of winter is slipping away and bright, warm spring has arrived – and here is the perfect cocktail to toast it’s return!

It always seems winter is the longest season, but now warm weather, longer days, and the blooming of plants have arrived. Here are the best cocktails to welcome spring. Migrating birds return to their base and plants began to reemerge. And while the weather can be a bit wacky, the promise of a fun summer is right around the corner. Fun fact, more babies are born during spring. Many families gain an additional member during this period, making spring officially the season of babies. All this give multiple reasons to toast with something refreshing.

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Lemon Lavender Gin Rickey

Why not give a refreshing classic cocktail a spring twist by making it even more light and refreshing? The refreshing cocktail of gin, lime juice, and soda water, originated in Washington, D.C. in the late 1880s and was named after Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey who frequented Shoemaker’s bar.  The addition of lavender provides a little flair for the taste buds.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces gin
• 4 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 ounces seltzer water
• 2 sprigs lavender
• 2 wedges of lemon

Create

1. Pour gin, lemon juice, and honey over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well
2. Strain into two glasses filled with ice
3. Top with seltzer
4. Garnish each glass with a sprig of lavender and a slice of lemon

The Desert Bird

You can hear the birds chirping as they emerge or return from winter. This sweet-yet-bitter drink celebrates the return with a treat for the mouth.  You can use either mezcal or tequila for equal results. Or do a taste test.

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounces bacanora, mezcal, or tequila
• .75 ounces pineapple gum (or simple syrup mixed with equal parts pineapple juice)
• .50 ounces Campari
• .50 ounces fresh lime juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 sprig mint, for garnish

Create

1. Combine all the ingredients together in a shaker
2. Strain over ice into glass
3. Serve with mint leaf

The Spring Bloom

With this cocktail, reflect the spring like atmosphere outside with a beverage in a glass. Combing the flavors of spring over ice with vodka will be a floral bouquet for your mouth!

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Kentucky Spire

While the Kentucky Derby is still a couple of months away, you can still celebrate with a good bourbon. This drinks adds a layering of flavors to allow you to kick back and take in the moment.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Bourbon
• 2 oz Lemonade
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• Lemon zest for garnish

Create

• Add ice to a lowball glass
• Add lemonade and cranberry juice and stir with spoon
• Add bourbon and stir until thoroughly mixed
• Garnish with a lemon zest