Picture this. You're surrounded by close friends or you’re on a hot date enjoying a few drinks and some delicious food.
Only one thing could make this better, turning it into a CBD-infused dinner party! These events are becoming popular worldwide, as they heighten your dining experience.
The good thing about CBD products is that you can enjoy them without getting high.
In this article, we talk you through how you can host your very own CBD-infused dinner party. It’s a great concept for groups and can make for a romantic date night experience as well (hint hint: Valentine’s Day is upon us!). We cover everything you will need to plan and prepare before the event. We also discuss some great food and drink recipes that you can serve to your guests.
Preparing for the Party
When hosting a CBD dinner party, make sure you are well prepared for the evening. This ensures that everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening and that you as the host can relax.
Let us take a look at each of the things you need to think about before hosting your first dinner party.
Guest List
The first thing to decide is who will be on your guest list if you’re going the group route versus intimate. You want to have enough people to create an exciting atmosphere, but not too many to feel crowded. 10 to 15 will be more than enough, especially if this is your first event.
Think about the types of people you invite and whether you think they will gel during the party. If you have any first-timers at the party, make sure you give them some idea of what to expect. Also, make sure all your guests are over the age of twenty one.
Although CBD does not make you high, understand that everyone won’t react the same way. Many people find it helps them relax while others just like the flavor!
Atmosphere
Creating a good atmosphere is essential to having a great evening. You can create a playlist with some cool tunes to complement the food and drink. In fact, we have a collaborative playlist on Spotify we made to get your guest(s) feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Also, you can create a seating plan that encourages conversation. Seat people that don't know each other yet. Once they've had some food and drink, deep conversations are sure to follow!
You could even lay out some conversation cards with interesting talking points. That way your guests will learn lots about each other and share great memories.
Having a theme and decorations are optional, but both help to make the evening memorable. A classy way to stick with the CBD theme is to add lots of lush greenery and natural colors to the table setting.
Create some natural table garlands, and add in some seasonal flowers. It is best to avoid having open flames at the table.
But you can achieve this effect using battery-operated LED candles. Take this chance to get creative with the invitations, place settings, and menu!
Etiquette
Like any other get together when hosting a CBD-infused dinner party, it is always best to plan ahead. How many attendees do you expect, are there any allergies you should know about, will guests be bringing anything to share?
Make sure you put non-CBD-infused food and drinks on the menu. Some guests may not want to ingest CBD. Whether alcohol is served or not, make sure everyone drinks plenty of water, especially during the warmer seasons.
As the host, you are responsible for the welfare of your guest(s). Although the CBD infused food and drink won’t make you high, make sure everyone has a plan for how they’re getting home in case they also had alcohol while partying.
CBD-infused items are also not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding so let guests that are expecting know.
The Menu
Choosing what you are going to serve at your dinner party is one of the most fun parts. You can experiment with new flavors and food combinations.
In this section, we discuss the practical aspects of preparing a CBD dinner party. We also give you some yummy CBD recipes to try.
Preparing to Cook
One thing you need to make sure of when preparing consumable items is that you get good quality CBD. Most hemp-derived CBD products are legal in all 50 US states, as long as they meet the regulations of the state you are purchasing in. Mainly noting it needs to contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which makes for the perfect dosage for preparing an infused meal. Shimmerwood seltzer is tested by independent third party labs to verify we comply with the 0.3% rule.
CBD can be infused into food in many ways, but butter, oil, or tincture is the most popular. This way you can take care of how much you are putting in, so you don't overdo it.
With all these recipes, make sure that you adapt how much of the hemp CBD you use to the tolerance of your guests. A 5mg dose per serving should be more than enough. If in doubt, use less!
It is also a good idea to make a few servings of each one without any CBD, in an effort to provide both dosed and non-dosed options.
Also, make sure you check for any dietary requirements beforehand. You can alter most meals to suit vegan or gluten-free diets with a few ingredient changes. Let's take a look at the recipes.
Yummy CBD Recipes
For a starter, you could try this shiitake salad with a tasty Cannabis and Blue cheese dressing. Serve this with crusty bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Don't forget to add some nibbles, like nuts, fruits, and crackers.
For the main course, you can serve steaks fried in CBD-infused olive oil. You can serve this with roasted vegetables and gravy.
Another great sharing side dish is nachos topped with cheese, chilies, and salsa. Serve it with a side of cannabis-infused guacamole and chopped fresh vegetables.
You could also go with a pasta dish, using some of these sauces. You could even make a few sauces and a batch of pasta so your guests can try different ones. Serve it with focaccia with CBD-infused garlic oil and delicious parmesan cheese.
For dessert, why not serve some delicious brownies with a twist? This cannabis-infused citrus and caramel blondie recipe will go down a treat! Serve with custard, cream, or ice cream depending on the season.
Master of CBD Mixology
You cannot host one of these dinner parties without giving your guests a CBD drink to try! You could even feature CBD mixology as a fun activity to do as a group during the event.
The Shimmer team has hosted a mixology class with our bitters partner Vena's Fizz House, where we made mixed drinks using our CBD seltzer. Attendees learned how they could add Shimmer Seltzer to recipes they already know and love. The class made them feel much more experienced and confident when it came to hosting their own parties and making Shimmer mocktails and cocktails for themselves and guests. Long story short, don’t be afraid to experiment!
All of the ingredients in Shimmer Seltzer are sourced from local businesses through Maine and Greater New England. Our seltzers are vegan and contain no alcohol, or caffeine, so they are perfect to enjoy by themselves or mixed in a mocktail or cocktail.
Here are some ideas for CBD-infused drinks using our delicious seltzers.
Alcoholic Drinks
You can never go wrong with a classic drink like Gin & Tonic. It is low in calories and high in flavor. So why not serve it with a CBD twist?
In fact, we have created a special Valentine’s Day inspired Gin & Tonic for your enjoyment. For this recipe you will need:
- Handful of cranberries
- 1 oz of gin
- Razz Lime Shimmer Seltzer
- Sprig of rosemary
First, pour the gin over the crushed ice. Toss in a handful of cranberries, then stir in the Razz Lime Seltzer and finish off by expressing rosemary, garnish and voilà!
Watch us make it here:
If you're in the mood for something spicier, try a Spicy Ginger Orange Mule. This is great for all vodka lovers at your dinner, although tequila is also a great option.
For this recipe you will need:
- Ginger Orange Shimmer Seltzer
- 1 serving of vodka or tequila of your choice
- Crushed Ice
- Mint and ginger for garnish
Fill your glass with crushed ice and then pour in the vodka or tequila. Then mix in the Ginger Orange Seltzer. Add the mint or fresh ginger as a garnish for some extra flair!
Mocktails
Make sure that you have some non-alcoholic drinks available for your sober guest(s). You can mix some killer mocktails, which will still have all the flavor without the alcohol!
One recipe you could try is a Raspberry Lime-ade Refresher. You will need:
- Razz Lime Shimmer Seltzer
- Fresh Raspberries
- Cucumber
- Lemonade (Homemade is the best!)
- Crushed ice
- Rosemary or Lime wheels to garnish
Mix the cucumber and raspberries in the glass and then fill it with ice. Pour over the lemonade and the Razz Lime Seltzer. Mix well and then add a garnish of rosemary or a lime wheel.
Host the Ultimate CBD-Infused Party
Whether you are a seasoned CBD user or want to try something new, hosting a CBD-infused dinner party is a great idea. You can gather a group of close friends and share an amazing experience.
Sorry (not sorry) for the shameless mention, but this article would not be complete without our encouragement to choose Shimmerwood Beverages for the ultimate CBD seltzer to serve at your party. We have an amazing selection of Full-Spectrum CBD flavors that are sure to make your party a hit. 🥂
Check out our shop, where you can find all our products at great prices. Order a one-time purchase or subscribe to our service and get a discount.
We’d love to hear from you about your experience! Tag us on social media using @shimmerbevs and Contact us via this form.