Bright green, sweet, tropical and served in bars across America, the liquid marijuana drink is one of the most searched cocktails online. Every month, thousands of people look up “liquid marijuana,” “liquid marijuana shot” and “liquid marijuana recipe.”
But here’s the twist most people don’t know: there’s no marijuana in liquid marijuana. Not a gram. Not a drop of THC. It’s a rum cocktail named for its green color and its reputation for hitting harder than you’d expect.
In this guide we’ll cover what the liquid marijuana drink actually is, how to make the classic cocktail and shot, and what to grab instead if you actually want a cannabis drink: real, lab-tested THC beverages from a licensed Oregon marijuana dispensary near you, like The Joint on Market in Salem.
What Is Liquid Marijuana?
Liquid marijuana is a mixed alcoholic drink made with rum, melon liqueur, blue curaçao and fruit juices. The blue curaçao and green melon liqueur combine to create a vivid green color, which, along with its cheeky name, made it a party favorite.
Does liquid marijuana have weed in it?
No. The liquid marijuana drink contains zero cannabis and zero THC. It’s 100% alcohol and mixers. You won’t get high from it. You’ll just feel the effects of alcohol, and because it tastes like candy, it’s easy to drink more than you planned.
Why is it called liquid marijuana?
Bartenders have a few theories:
- The color. Melon liqueur plus blue curaçao produces a bright, leafy green.
- The laid-back vibe. The sweet, tropical flavor makes it feel like a chilled-out beach drink.
- The surprise factor. It tastes harmless, but it packs several kinds of liquor into one glass.
Whatever the origin, the name stuck. Today the liquid marijuana cocktail is a bar classic with its own shot version.
Liquid Marijuana Drink Recipe (Classic Cocktail)
Here’s the classic liquid marijuana drink recipe. Adults 21+ only, and please drink responsibly.
Ingredients
- ½ oz spiced rum
- ½ oz coconut rum
- ½ oz melon liqueur
- ½ oz blue curaçao
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz sweet and sour mix
- Ice
- Optional garnish: pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry
How to make the liquid marijuana cocktail
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the spiced rum, coconut rum, melon liqueur and blue curaçao.
- Pour in the pineapple juice and sweet and sour mix.
- Shake hard for 10–15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple or a cherry and serve.
The result is a sweet, fruity, bright green drink with coconut and melon notes. If you want it less sweet, cut back on the sweet and sour mix and add a squeeze of fresh lime.
Liquid Marijuana Shot Recipe
The liquid marijuana shot is the same flavor in a smaller, stronger form, and it’s a popular party shot.
Shot ingredients
- ¼ oz spiced rum
- ¼ oz coconut rum
- ¼ oz melon liqueur
- ¼ oz blue curaçao
- Splash of pineapple juice
- Splash of sweet and sour mix
How to make the liquid marijuana shot
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake for about 10 seconds.
- Strain into a shot glass and serve.
Because the shot is almost all liquor, go easy. A couple of liquid marijuana shots add up fast.
Liquid Marijuana Drink Variations
Want to switch up the classic liquid marijuana recipe? Try these twists:
- Frozen liquid marijuana: Blend all ingredients with a cup of ice for a slushy version.
- Liquid marijuana punch: Multiply the recipe by eight and serve in a pitcher or punch bowl for parties.
- Lighter liquid marijuana: Swap half the sweet and sour mix for soda water to cut the sugar.
- Liquid marijuana mocktail: Skip the alcohol and mix pineapple juice, coconut water, melon syrup, a squeeze of lime and a drop of blue food coloring for a green, booze-free drink.
How Strong Is a Liquid Marijuana Drink?
With four types of liquor in one glass, a liquid marijuana cocktail contains roughly two standard drinks’ worth of alcohol, depending on the pour. The shot version is smaller but almost entirely liquor.
The sweet tropical flavor hides the alcohol well, which is why people often underestimate it. If you’re making these at home:
- Measure your pours instead of free-pouring.
- Drink water between rounds.
- Eat something beforehand.
- Never drink and drive.
Don’t Mix Liquid Marijuana With Real Marijuana
Because of the name, some people assume the liquid marijuana drink goes well with weed. Be careful here. Combining alcohol and cannabis, often called “crossfading,” can make the effects of both stronger and less predictable. It can lead to dizziness, nausea and “greening out,” and it seriously impairs your ability to drive.
If you choose to enjoy either one, keep it moderate, stay home and stay off the road.
Want a Real Marijuana Drink? Try THC Beverages
If you searched “liquid marijuana” hoping for an actual cannabis drink, good news: real marijuana drinks exist, and they’re legal for adults 21+ in Oregon.
What are THC drinks?
THC drinks are beverages infused with cannabis extract. Instead of alcohol, they contain a measured dose of THC, CBD or both. Depending on what’s in stock, you may find:
- THC sodas and seltzers: fizzy, flavored and easy to sip
- Cannabis teas and coffees: for a slower, cozier experience
- Drink enhancers and THC shots: small bottles or drops you add to your own drink
- CBD-forward drinks: for a gentler, more balanced feel
Every THC drink sold at a licensed Oregon marijuana dispensary is lab tested and clearly labeled with the exact amount of THC per serving. That’s a big difference from guessing how strong a homemade drink might be.
How THC drinks feel compared to alcohol
A real marijuana drink works differently from a liquid marijuana cocktail. THC drinks usually take effect faster than other edibles, often within 15 to 45 minutes, but this varies from person to person. The effects can last a few hours. There’s no alcohol, so no hangover, but THC can still affect your coordination and judgment, so the same rule applies: never drive after drinking one.
How to dose THC drinks safely
Drinkable marijuana is technically an edible, so the golden rule applies: start low and go slow.
- Begin with a low-dose drink or a partial serving.
- Wait at least an hour before having more.
- Don’t mix THC drinks with alcohol.
- Keep drinks in their original packaging and away from children and pets, since they can look like regular sodas.
New to edibles? Our guide on where to buy edibles and THC gummies explains dosing and product types in more detail, and our beginner’s guide to buying weed covers everything you need for your first visit.
Where to buy THC drinks in Salem
You’ll find legal THC beverages at licensed marijuana dispensaries across Oregon, including The Joint on Market at 3270 Market St NE in Salem. Our selection changes as new products arrive, so browse our online shop to see which marijuana drinks are in stock right now, or ask our budtenders for a recommendation in store.
Prefer to order ahead? Learn how it works in Can You Buy Weed Online?
Liquid Marijuana vs. THC Drinks: Quick Comparison
| Liquid marijuana drink | Real THC drink | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains cannabis? | No | Yes |
| Contains alcohol? | Yes (four liquors) | No |
| Gets you high? | No, it gets you drunk | Yes, from THC |
| Where to get it | Bars and liquor stores | Licensed marijuana dispensaries |
| Dose on the label? | No | Yes, THC mg per serving |
| Age requirement | 21+ | 21+ with valid ID |
Liquid Marijuana Drink FAQs
Is there actual marijuana in a liquid marijuana drink? No. Liquid marijuana is an alcoholic cocktail made with rum, melon liqueur, blue curaçao and juice. It contains no cannabis or THC.
What alcohol is in liquid marijuana? The classic liquid marijuana recipe uses spiced rum, coconut rum, melon liqueur and blue curaçao, mixed with pineapple juice and sweet and sour mix.
Why is the liquid marijuana drink green? The yellow-green melon liqueur and the blue curaçao mix together to create its signature bright green color.
What’s the difference between a liquid marijuana drink and a liquid marijuana shot? The cocktail is served tall over ice with more juice. The liquid marijuana shot uses smaller amounts of the same liquors with just a splash of mixer, so it’s stronger per sip.
Will a liquid marijuana drink show up on a drug test? No. There’s no THC in it. It’s alcohol only.
Can I buy a real marijuana drink in Salem? Yes. Adults 21+ can buy lab-tested THC beverages at licensed Oregon dispensaries, including The Joint on Market at 3270 Market St NE. Check our online menu for what’s in stock.
Should I mix THC drinks with alcohol? We don’t recommend it. Mixing cannabis and alcohol can intensify the effects of both and make them less predictable.
Find Real Marijuana Drinks at The Joint on Market
The liquid marijuana drink is a fun cocktail, but if you want the real thing, come see us. At The Joint on Market, we carry lab-tested marijuana products, from THC drinks and edibles to flower, pre-rolls and vapes, with friendly budtenders ready to help you find the right fit.
📍 3270 Market St NE, Salem, OR 97301
- 👉 Shop our marijuana menu
- 👉 Find a marijuana dispensary near me
- 👉 Where to buy weed near me
- 👉 About The Joint on Market
For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Please drink responsibly. Keep cannabis and alcohol out of reach of children. Do not drive or operate machinery under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. It is illegal to take marijuana across state lines. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice.