This drink has absolutely nothing to do with marijuana, and yet it’s named exactly that.
No cannabis, no THC, nothing herbal about it at all. Just a bright, electric green cocktail that earned its name purely because of how it looks in the glass. 🍹
The color comes from a mix of blue curaçao and Midori, a Japanese melon liqueur that’s been turning cocktails neon green since the late 1970s. Mix that green-yellow combo with pineapple juice and you get a drink that looks like it shouldn’t be legal, even though it absolutely is.
This cocktail blew up in beach bars and college towns in the 90s and 2000s, right alongside other loudly-named drinks built around the same idea: mix bright liqueurs, get a wild color, watch people order it just to see what happens.
It’s sweet, tropical, and surprisingly easy to make at home.
Why This Drink Works
The flavor here isn’t complicated, but it’s balanced in a way that makes it dangerously easy to drink.
- Midori brings a candy-like honeydew melon sweetness
- Coconut rum adds warmth and tropical richness
- Blue curaçao contributes a slightly bitter orange note, which keeps the sweetness from going overboard
- Pineapple juice and sweet and sour mix tie everything together with bright acidity
None of these ingredients are overpowering on their own. Stacked together, they create something that tastes like dessert but drinks like a beach vacation.
What You’ll Need
- 0.75 oz spiced rum
- 0.75 oz coconut rum
- 0.75 oz blue curaçao
- 0.75 oz Midori (melon liqueur)
- 1 oz sweet and sour mix
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- Pineapple wedge, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Tools You’ll Need
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring shot glass
- Highball glass
- Cocktail strainer (optional)
- Cocktail skewer, for garnish
How To Make Liquid Marijuana
Step 1: Chill your glass
Fill a highball glass with fresh ice and set it aside. A pre-chilled glass keeps the drink cold longer without watering it down too fast.
Step 2: Combine the spirits
Fill your shaker halfway with ice. Add the spiced rum, coconut rum, blue curaçao, and Midori.
Step 3: Add the mixers
Pour in the sweet and sour mix and pineapple juice.
Step 4: Shake well
Shake hard for about 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker feels frosty cold to the touch.
Step 5: Strain and serve
Strain the mixture into your ice-filled glass.
Step 6: Garnish
Top with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry on a skewer. Add a cocktail umbrella if you want the full beach bar look.
Pro Tips From Someone Who’s Made This For Way Too Many Parties
1. Shake longer than feels necessary. This drink has several syrupy liqueurs that need real agitation to blend smoothly. A quick stir leaves it looking separated instead of uniformly green.
2. Don’t skip straining if your shaker has a built-in strainer. Ice chips and any pulp from the pineapple juice can make the texture cloudy if they end up in the glass.
3. Taste before adding extra sweet and sour mix. Brands vary a lot in sweetness and tartness. Start with less than you think you need, then adjust.
4. Make pineapple juice ice cubes for parties. Regular ice waters this drink down fast since it’s already a sweeter, lighter pour. Frozen pineapple juice cubes keep the flavor strong as they melt.
5. Batch it ahead for groups, minus the ice. Mix everything except the ice in a pitcher and refrigerate. Pour over fresh ice right before serving so it doesn’t get diluted while sitting out.
Substitutions and Variations
| Original | Swap | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet and sour mix | Equal parts lime juice and simple syrup | Sharper, more natural citrus flavor |
| Midori | Green apple schnapps | Different fruit profile, similar bright color |
| Coconut rum | Regular white rum | Less tropical, slightly more straightforward |
| Spiced rum | Bourbon or whiskey | Bolder, less sweet base flavor |
| Cocktail | Shot version | Combine all ingredients in equal parts for a shot glass pour |
For a non-alcoholic version, swap the rums and liqueurs for a mix of green apple juice, lime juice, and a splash of blue lemonade to keep the color similar.
Make Ahead Tips
This drink batches really well for parties.
- Mix all the liquid ingredients except the ice in a pitcher and refrigerate for up to 2 days ahead.
- Pour over fresh ice individually as people order it, rather than pre-mixing with ice.
- If making the shot version, you can pre-portion the mix into a sealed bottle and pour straight into shot glasses at serving time.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Drink)
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Sugar | 21g |
These numbers will shift depending on the brands of liqueur and sweet and sour mix you use.
What To Pair It With
This drink fits right into tropical or beach-themed spreads.
It pairs well with coconut shrimp, jerk chicken wings, or a simple fruit platter. For something heartier, grilled fish or chicken tacos work great alongside it.
It’s also a natural fit for casual party settings, like a backyard hangout or a poolside gathering, where the bright color becomes part of the fun.
Leftovers and Storage
- Pre-mixed batch (no ice): Store in an airtight container or bottle in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Fully poured drink: Best enjoyed fresh, since the ice will dilute it within an hour or so.
- Avoid freezing the full mixture: It won’t shake back together the same way once thawed.
FAQ
Does this drink actually contain marijuana? No. There’s no cannabis, THC, or any related substance in it. The name comes entirely from its bright green color.
Why is my drink cloudy instead of clear green? This usually happens if the pineapple juice isn’t strained well before mixing. A little cloudiness is normal and doesn’t affect the taste.
Can I turn this into a shot instead of a full cocktail? Yes. Combine all the ingredients in equal parts, shake briefly, and strain into a shot glass for a more concentrated, sweeter version.
What’s the difference between this and a Long Island Iced Tea? They’re both built from multiple spirits, but a Long Island Iced Tea leans on cola for color and a stronger alcohol punch. Liquid Marijuana is sweeter, fruitier, and gets its color from curaçao and Midori instead.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version for a party? Yes. Swap the rums and liqueurs for green apple juice, lime juice, and a splash of blue lemonade to keep a similar color and flavor profile.
Wrapping Up
This drink earns its reputation through color and fun more than complexity, and that’s exactly the point.
It’s sweet, easy to make, and guaranteed to get a reaction the first time someone reads the name off a menu.
If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Drop a comment below and let me know if you tried the cocktail version or went straight for the shot.
AI Image Generator Prompt (for the “What You’ll Need” section):
Create a high-resolution, 9:16 vertical image showing a top-down flat lay of all the ingredients and tools needed for making a Liquid Marijuana cocktail. Include: a small glass bottle of spiced rum, a small glass bottle of coconut rum, a small glass bottle of bright blue curaçao liqueur, a small glass bottle of vivid green Midori melon liqueur, a small glass pitcher of sweet and sour mix, a small glass pitcher of pineapple juice, a few fresh pineapple wedges, and a small dish of maraschino cherries. Include a cocktail shaker, a metal jigger, a highball glass, a cocktail strainer, and a cocktail skewer, all arranged neatly around the ingredients. Set everything on a white marble countertop with subtle natural gold veining. Use soft, natural daylight coming from one side, soft shadows, and a vibrant, tropical aesthetic. Shot in the popular top-down flat lay style used by food bloggers, as if captured with an iPhone 15 Pro, with crisp detail, vivid true-to-life colors, and a bright, fun tone. No text or watermarks in the image.
