Ah, the 4th of July.
Independence day is a day for cold beer, cookouts, and loud, public expressions of patriotism. This weekend marks one of the most popular summer holidays and kicks off with an abundance of backyard barbeques and poolside parties.
But despite the potato salads and pies and fireworks, The 4th of July celebrates rebel successes in gaining independence from tyrannical governments. While using cannabis has become less and less rebellious every year due to the legalization wave, it’s still a great holiday to think about and celebrate the death of the laws that outlawed cannabis and created social inequities within the country.
With that said, spend your 4th of July reveling in these newfound personal freedoms. Leverage the products detailed below and host a 420-friendly cookout. Share them with the people you love, and reflect on how far we’ve come. There may be a long road ahead, but every year we come a little closer to full-fledged recreational freedom nationwide.
1. Offer THC-infused beverages, too.
If you’re offering beer at your cookout, you might as well offer THC-infused drinks too! At some places in Washington DC, you can find a variety of THC-infused beverages. However, at up to 500mg per serving, they tend to be a little pricey and also a little intense for people who just aren't into edibles like that. If you want to offer something special that won’t make anyone feel too sauced, try this recipe for a festive, THC-infused 4th of July layered cocktail:
You will need:
For the simple syrup:
3 grams decarboxylated flower of your choice
2 cups (480 ml) water
1 cup (340 g) honey
1 tablespoon (15 ml) food-grade vegetable glycerin
For the drink:
1 oz grenadine (red layer)
3 oz lemonade (white layer)
1 oz of the infused simple syrup (white layer)
1 oz blue curacao (blue layer)
Ice
To make it:
For the syrup:
Decarb your flower
Boil the water and honey in a small saucepan
Reduce your heat to 160°F to 180°F and mix in your weed
Simmer for an hour
Strain the weed particles out with a cheesecloth, allow it to cool, and it's ready.
For the drink:
Add grenadine to a glass then fill with ice
Cascade blue curacao over the back of a spoon to gently add the blue layer
In a shaker, shake lemonade and the infused syrup, then gently pour the mixture over the back of a spoon into the glass creating the final white layer of the drink.
If that's a little extra for you, feel free to just add an ounce of that syrup to whatever you'd like. Whether it's sweet iced tea, ordinary lemonade, or any other beverage you like, play with it!
2. Spark up these patriotic strains and spread the love
These five 4th of July strains are as patriotic as they come. This list includes a great mix of Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid strains, so be sure to stock up on something for everyone for your cookout this weekend! And hey, if you can't find these classic cuts anywhere, weed is weed, dude. Whatever you got will work great.
American Kush - Indica
American Kush is a heavy indica strain known for its relaxing properties and pain-relieving qualities. It has a sweet, almost coffee-like flavor that is reminiscent of the nostalgic American dream, and it makes the perfect strain for relaxing next to a bonfire or right before the fireworks.
American Pie - Sativa
Bye-bye, Miss American Pie! Much like the Don McLean classic, this uplifting and energizing strain has a bittersweet flavor, so it reminds you of a tasty pastry. What’s more American than a slice of pie on the 4th of July?
Spirit of ‘76 - Hybrid
Our founding fathers fought for their independence in 1776 and paved the way for the United States to become everything it is today. That spirit puts a fire in any American belly, and so does the Spirit of ‘76 strain. Best of all, it’s great for relaxing and giving your mind a boost.
Liberty Haze - Sativa Give me liberty or give me death! This Sativa-dominant hybrid has a very potent citrus and lemon flavor, and it’s great for helping you to focus on pleasant conversations and enjoy the fireworks display.
Presidential OG - Indica
Okay, yeah, this one is a little obvious, but it still belongs on our list! It’s known for a very balanced cerebral and physical high that can help you feel both physically relaxed and mentally euphoric. Best of all, you can’t go wrong with the lemony piney flavor!
3. Try this recipe for THC-infused barbeque sauce
Rib, White, and Blue! If you want to make something special to celebrate the holiday and reflect on cannabis becoming legal and normalized, offer your cookout guests some infused barbeque! This barbeque sauce makes an excellent addition to your favorite ribs, chicken, pork, brisket, or anything else you slather the sauce on. Best of all, that simple syrup you used in your cocktails adds a tasty tinge of honey to your sauce.
You will need
2 Tbsp of the honey syrup you made in the drink recipe
½ onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup bourbon whiskey
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ tablespoon salt
2 cups ketchup
¼ cup tomato paste
⅓ cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
½ cup packed brown sugar
⅓ teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
To make the sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the simple syrup, onion, garlic, and whiskey. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
Mix in the ground black pepper, salt, ketchup, tomato paste, vinegar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and hot pepper sauce.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Run sauce through a strainer if you prefer a smooth sauce.
All in all, we hope you have a safe and festive Independence Day weekend. If you're looking for more ways to enjoy cannabis on the holiday, you can always count on Flower Ave to bring you the best weed delivery in Washington DC. Whether you're into the green or exploring psychedelics, we're your one-stop shop for party favors.
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