Before he he became known as the “cocktail whisperer,” Warren Bobrow worked in private banking. An affinity for sophisticated solutions led him to became an authority on the mixed drinks, and he’s since parlayed a lifelong enthusiasm for marijuana into yet another career as cannabis cocktail guru. Whether he’s at SXSW giving talks about disrupting the cannabis kitchen, touring food and drink shows dispensing tips or fielding questions from his perch at Forbes magazine, the cannabis alchemist (and trained chef and bartender) is at the vanguard of the emerging medicated mixology field.
You Won’t Believe What I Ate Last Night: Cannabis Cocktails: An Interview with Mixologist and Cannabis Alchemist Warren
What’s that? You’ve never infused alcohol with cannabis? Well, Rick and Kate’s guest has. And he wrote a book to teach you how to do it yourself: “Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics”. Warren Bobrow is a trained chef, mixologist, and Cocktail Whisperer, and he’s here to talk about his journey to becoming a Cannabis Alchemist. Did you know that in the 1800’s alcohol was a way to preserve cannabis? Warren talks with your hosts about medicinal and healing properties of cannabis, why you might choose to infuse cannabis into alcohol instead of food, which strains go with which alcohols, and the process of decarbing the cannabis so it has an effect when turned into a cocktail. They also touch on what’s legal (and not). Warren is a 5-time published author and was a Speaker at SXSW 2018 Conference and Festival. He has written articles for Forbes.com, Saveur magazine, Vodka magazine, Chilled, Prohbtd, and many other national and global periodicals. He was nominated for a Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award in 2013, was a Ministry of Rum Judge in 2010 and a Rum XP judge in 2017, and was in the Saveur Magazine “100” in 2010.
Warren Bobrow, The Cocktail Whisperer, Shares Tips and Tricks on Cannabis Cocktails
Warren Bobrow, The Cocktail Whisperer, Shares Tips and Tricks on Cannabis Cocktails
- Warren Bobrow, @WarrenBobrow1, the Cocktail Whisperer, is the 5x Author of Apothecary Cocktails: Restorative Drinks from Yesterday and Today, Whiskey Cocktails: Rediscovered Classics and Contemporary Craft Drinks, Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails: Restorative Vintage Cocktails, Mocktails & Elixirs, Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks & Buzz-Worthy Libations and his celebrated, 2017 release, The Craft Cocktail Compendium.
MagicalButter’s Garyn Angel & Chris Whitener on the Power of Plant Medicine
Editor’s Note: I first came across the MagicalButter (MB2e) machine at a party I attended several years ago. There was a novice cook turning out professional results that only a trained chef could perform, at least from a culinary perspective. Of course, the final results were infused with certain botanicals, which at that time were no more than whispers under hushed tones. The MagicalButter machine, standing stoic on the counter, whirred away nearly silently. And, that light show! What a marvelous experience. How delightful to deliciously melt away the afternoon while admiring the swirling lights, so lovely! And the end results? Always perfect.
California Bud Company: Farm Fresh Flowers, Cultivating Happiness
Cannabis Farm FlowerPHOTOGRAPHER: ALBERT FLORES COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA BUD CO
A rather fat hand rolled-cone stuffed with the California Bud Company strain named Cookies was just passed my way with a knowing smile. I knew at that very moment, encapsulated in that slowly burning cherry at the tip, was more than just mere enlightenment. Inside this perfectly crafted cone contained their namesake product, the most wonderful cannabis, hand-tended and sunshine grown. It was, quite simply; “Cultivated Happiness.” There was deep love and his company’s cannabis grower’s passion spilling out of the spiraling smoke. This experience was way more than just another perfect Cali-type moment in time. Buckets of bountiful California sunshine came spilling out of each hit of the joint and the timeless Beatles’ song, Blue Jay Way reverberated throughout my sun-drenched memory of the day. A curiously sweet aroma of freshly crushed California coastal grown herbs: rosemary, thyme and sage, enveloped our heads as we gazed out over that endless horizon, purple and red and yellow in color. Sometimes the sky looks like it is even on fire, it’s that kind of place. Los Angeles’ sprawl spilled out over hundreds of square miles under this well-traveled road.
Artisan Canna Cigars: Always Handmade. One of the Best Things in Life
Warren Bobrow: iPhone XAuthentic Artisan Canna Cigar
Artisan Canna Cigars: Always Handmade. One of the Best Things in Life
Be still my heart. Being far from wildly successful as an entrepreneur or sitting in that high paid “Catbird Seat” I can understand what it’s like to yen for the very best. Maybe it’s a failing of mine, but I’ve always possessed a keen appreciation for the very best things in life. These can be wildly expensive, so I may have to forgo them until I can afford it, or not at all!
2019 Cannabis Drinks Expo
I’m honored to be a keynote speaker at the first ever 2019 Cannabis Drinks Expo !!
For anyone curious about the future direction of the cannabis industry in the United States, the place to be in 2019 will be the first-ever Cannabis Drinks Expo, hosted by the Beverage Trade Network. This event, taking place in July 2019 in San Francisco, will be the biggest global gathering of cannabis drinks professionals ever, bringing together drinks producers, manufacturers, brand owners, distilleries and brewers all in one place for a spectacular one-day expo.
The major theme of the Cannabis Drinks Expo will be on growing your business and growing your bottom line. So if you’re a brand owner, or a distillery or brewery looking for an on-ramp to the very aggressively growing U.S. cannabis industry, this event will provide the perfect platform for growth.
Trade only event.
Where and When
July 25, 2019 – South San Francisco Conference Center (11 am to 5 pm)
Goldleaf: Capturing Words & Visions of the Cannabis Intellect
Photo Credit: GoldleafCharlie McElroy
Author’s note: Writers are naturally attracted to the feel of paper. After all, it is paper that binds us together in the written word when we publish our books. The electronic book, be it in the form of a smartphone, tablet or Kindle offers so little to the bibliophile who craves that ‘new book smell’ or yearns for the feeling of paper coursing past their fingers when turning a page. To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever experienced a paper-cut while turning the page on a Kindle. This is truly one of life’s unique experiences and one that cannot be duplicated in the electronic medium. Making notes on paper, the exemplification of the written arts with the written word is a timeless pastime.
The Perfect Cannabis Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes for the End of Summer
Images courtesy of Warren Bobrow: the Hoochie Coochie Man cocktail (left) and the non-alcoholic Rose, Saffron and Cardamom Lassi (right) from his latest book Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations.
Earlier this year, Warren treated our readers to a sneak peek of the book before it was available for purchase! If you missed that post, click here to get his recipe for the Mezzrole Cocktail, with a little dose of history regarding cannabis beverages.
5 Great Ways To Use Fresh Herbs In Your Craft Cocktails
Nearly everyone has been to their local garden store and ogled over the varieties of fresh herbs that you can grow on your windowsill garden. Who knew there were so many different kinds of basil? And how about all that mint? Are there enough days of growing season left for every different kind of mint, pared with all those incredible bourbons on your groaning shelves?