How to Make a Cannabis Tincture with Grain Alcohol

If you’re looking for a simple, versatile, and effective way to enjoy cannabis, tinctures are a fantastic option. Unlike edibles or smoking, tinctures offer precise dosing, a long shelf life, and easy use — just a few drops under the tongue, and you’re good to go. One of the most common ways to make a cannabis tincture is with grain alcohol, which extracts cannabinoids efficiently and safely when done correctly. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a cannabis tincture with grain alcohol, step by step. We’ll also cover tips to make sure you’re getting the potency you want — and how tools like the tCheck THC and CBD potency tester can help you measure your results with confidence.

Why Choose a Cannabis Tincture? 

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why tinctures are a popular choice for cannabis consumers: 

Fast-acting (when used sublingually): Drops under the tongue can take effect in as little as 15–30 minutes. 

Discreet & portable: Small bottles make dosing easy on the go. 

Long shelf life: Properly stored tinctures can last over a year. 

Versatile use: Can be taken sublingually, added to drinks, or even infused into recipes. 

If you want control, convenience, and effectiveness, tinctures are hard to beat.

How to Make Your Own Cannabis Tincture

What You’ll Need

• • 1 ounce of cannabis flower (decarboxylated – more on that below)
  • 2–3 cups of high-proof grain alcohol (such as Everclear, at least 190 proof if legal in your area)
  • A glass mason jar with lid
  • Cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer
  • A small funnel
  • Amber glass dropper bottles (for storage)
  • Optional: a potency tester like tCheck to verify strength

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

Raw cannabis doesn’t have much THC or CBD in a form your body can use. Instead, it contains THCA and CBDA, which need to be converted into their active forms through decarboxylation (heating). 

How to decarb:

• • Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
  • Break your cannabis into small chunks (not powder).
  • Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring halfway through. This step activates the cannabinoids, making your tincture effective.

Step 2: Combine Cannabis and Grain Alcohol 

• • Place your decarboxylated cannabis into the mason jar.
  • Pour in enough grain alcohol to fully cover the cannabis, with at least 1 inch above the flower.
  • Seal the jar tightly and shake gently.

Pro tip: A higher alcohol-to-cannabis ratio generally leads to a smoother-tasting tincture.

Step 3: Cold Extraction (Green Dragon Method) 

The most popular way to make a cannabis tincture is the Green Dragon method:

• • Store the sealed jar in the freezer for at least 2 weeks.
  • Shake it once a day to help the alcohol extract cannabinoids and terpenes.
  • After 2–4 weeks, strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a clean jar.
  • Use the funnel to transfer your finished tincture into amber dropper bottles. 

For a faster option, some people shake vigorously for just 24–48 hours, but the longer you wait, the stronger the tincture.

Step 4: Test Your Tincture’s Potency 

Here’s where things can get tricky: tinctures can vary widely in strength depending on your cannabis, decarboxylation, and alcohol ratio. Instead of guessing, you can use the tCheck THC and CBD potency tester to measure exactly how strong your tincture is. 

With tCheck, you’ll know the milligrams of THC or CBD per milliliter of your tincture. This means you can: 

• • Adjust your recipe for future batches
  • Dose confidently without worrying about taking too much
  • Save money by making the perfect potency every time

Step 5: Dose & Store Properly 

Typical dose: Start with 1–2 drops under the tongue and wait at least 45 minutes before increasing. 

Storage: Keep tinctures in a cool, dark place. Amber bottles protect against light damage, extending shelf life.

Get Perfectly Potent Tinctures with the TCheck Potency Tester

Making a cannabis tincture with grain alcohol is a great DIY option for your cannabis practice that gives you control over your experience. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a powerful, discreet, and long-lasting infusion.

But don’t leave potency up to chance. With the tCheck THC and CBD potency tester, you’ll know exactly what’s in your tincture — giving you peace of mind and helping you get the results you want.