Cannabis is frequently compared to an evening glass of wine or an afternoon cup of tea. Can lovers of both these beverages use their drink preferences to pick a new favorite strain? We think it’s worth a shot.
The following recommendations don’t just mimic your favorite drink’s flavor profile, but also aim to fit with its usual place in your day-to-day routine. Find your favorite beverage, search out the suggested cannabis strain at your nearest dispensary, and try it on for size.
Coffee
Strain: Green Crack
With its rich, earthy flavor profile, Green Crack approximates some of the flavor notes found in your morning brew. Like coffee, this strain is known to spark conversation and creativity—but the really nice thing about Green Crack is how it provides a burst of energy without the uncomfortable experience of overcaffeination.
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Fruit juice
Strain: Clementine
With an aroma laden with fresh citrus fruits, this zesty strain will appeal to lovers of fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices or devotees of their elder weekend-brunch cousins, mimosas and greyhounds. Clementine’s effects are focused, energetic, and uplifting, which make this an excellent morning strain for weekdays and weekends alike. Lovers of lemonade may find a new best friend in this sweet-and-tart strain, too.
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Beer
Strain: Romulan
We’d align Romulan more with a craft IPA than a cheap lager. For one thing, it’s got the potency to swiftly relax the mind and body, and for another, its aromatics are reminiscent of hops—piney, pungent, floral, and resinous all at once. Both are lovely after strenuous outdoor activity such as a hike, and both have a devoted following across the Pacific Northwest into British Columbia. And with either one of them, consume a little too much and you’ll find yourself nodding off to sleep (which may be what you want).
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Soda
Strain: Candyland
Sugary in flavor, social and stimulating in effect, Candyland offers a pick-me-up that’s a little like a soda-born sugar high without the corresponding crash in an hour. And if you’ve been looking for a means of switching out the occasional sugary drink for something healthier, perhaps Candyland is the calorie-free alternative you’re after? We may be biased, but we think this euphoria-inducing strain is a tad more fun than diet cola.
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Tea
Strain: Daywalker
Earthy, sweet, piney, floral—Daywalker tastes a lot like some top-tier teas, and its springy, light-green buds are almost exactly the color of matcha. Because its high is blissful and relaxing at once, Daywalker can easily serve the same purpose as a cup of tea, whether that means uplifting a friend who drops by for a heart-to-heart, or keeping you warm and cozy at home by the window on a rainy day.
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Wine
Strain: Bubba Kush
With its sweet, fruity, and chocolatey nuances, Bubba Kush’s overall profile aligns most closely with red wine, but lovers of rosés, sauv blancs, and the like will also find plenty to appreciate in the effects profile—as with wines of all kinds, this is a strain that’ll leave you relaxed and mellow with a smile spread across your face. Bubba Kush, too, reigns supreme in California, though like the wines from the Golden State, it’s become popular far beyond those borders. For something as universally welcome at any gathering as a bottle of wine, you can’t go wrong with Bubba Kush.
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Water
Strain: Cannatonic
Whether you’re into still, sparkling, flavored, or coconut, water drinkers are conscientious about what they ingest, focusing more on the benefits of hydration than an intense flavor experience. Cannatonic fits the same bill: Though its flavor and effects are both markedly mild (the latter thanks to high CBD content), this is a top medical strain for everything from migraines to muscle spasms, and its subtle, short-lived buzz means you can keep sipping it all day long.
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Whiskey
Strain: Ogre
There are several varieties of Ogre, just as there are myriad sorts of whiskey, whisky, bourbon, and rye. The most famous strain of that name, which we’re referring to here, packs a high-proof THC punch and a powerful flavor profile that can lean a little skunky at times. Whiskey lovers—whether you’re sipping neat, on the rocks, or in a highball—will also appreciate Ogre’s effects, which much like the effects of whiskey itself are equal parts happy and sleepy.
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Smoothies
Strain: Golden Goat
Whether you like your smoothies healthy and green or fruity and sweet, you’ll probably also enjoy Golden Goat. This strain gives consumers the energy to go about their day with an air of unstoppability. With a tangy mix of tropical fruit flavors that’d make any smoothie shop proud, Golden Goat can help fight fatigue, and is the perfect accompaniment or follow-up to your morning jog, paddleboard, or yoga class.
