Like a game of drunk-stoned Clue, here’s how to find the perfect weed strain based on your favorite booze
Are you the type of boozehound who enjoys the social butterfly bump you get from a smooth cocktail or hoppy IPA at a social event? Or perhaps you’re the type of drinker who savors a sleepy buzz from a glass of wine or bourbon on the rocks before bed.
No matter your style, chances are, the effects you welcome from a well made alcoholic beverage may also be the result you are seeking from your favorite weed strains. Are you the type of smoker who enjoys the energetic stimulation of sativa? Or you appreciate the heavy body high that comes with an indica as you sink into your mattress? Maybe you even like a little bit of both.
This mix-and-match of your favorite drinks and bud will give you a good idea of which weed strain is your best match based on your choice of booze, whether that be because of personality, flavor, or clout.
Drink of choice: IPA
Strain match: OG Kush
IPAs are one of those beers where
you love ‘em’ or you hate ‘em. For some, their hoppy flavor is just too bitter. For others, why pass up on the amount of alcohol content? We chose OG Kush as the IPA weed-strain counterpart because both vices are robust, potent, and incredibly popular.
Like IPAs, OG Kush has a strong, funky aroma and flavor that’s not for everyone. The smell can be described as “skunky” and even resembling a dingy gas station. But, hey! Some people enjoy the smell of gasoline.
The strain measures at high THC-content levels — usually between 20-25 percent — while similarly, double and imperial IPAs measure at a higher alcohol by volume (ABV), typically over 7 percent, making both of these pack a serious gut punch to your sober self.
In the words of Dave Chapelle, “It’ll getcha drunk!”
Drink of choice: Martini
Strain match: Tangerine Haze
Let’s say, hypothetically, you’re at a fancy work party and you find out that, not only is dinner free, but there’s an open bar for you to take advantage of. What’s your drink of choice? Obviously a martini with a lemon peel twist (or olive, your choice). If you’re really feeling in the mood for a hangover, you can get it a little sweeter and/or get it flavored.
We picked Tangerine Haze, a sativa-dominant hybrid, in honor of that lovely lemon twist, and martinis and this strain’s stress-relieving functionalities. This strain is beloved for its citrus-floral smell and flavor. Not unlike a martini at a social function you don’t really want to be at, Tangerine Haze lifts the spirits and makes for a much more uplifting mood.
Drink of choice: On the rocks
Strain match: Durban Poison
Vodka/whisky/bourbon/scotch/fill in the blank on the rocks? You like your booze smooth, classy, and quick, just like your weed. Durban Poison is the weed strain for you. A pretty, purple-studded sativa, there’s a reason this strain is a fan favorite, just like sipping your favorite liquor over a glass of ice.
Durban Poison is sweet-smelling and has an energetic effect on users.
If you’re the type of stoner who gets a creative, motivated buzz from sativas, Durban Poison will give you the boost you need to inspire productivity. Or, like sipping booze at the end of a long day, smoke a bit of this strain to give yourself that spark of pep you’re looking for.
Drink of choice: Boxed wine
Strain match: Blue Magoo
Ok, first off: If you’re at home drinking boxed wine, what in Zuul’s good name are you doing with your life? Not that we can judge much, but c’mon! Cheap bottled wine ain’t that bad OR expensive!
If affordability is what you’re after, however, your strain of choice should be Blue Magoo. Cheap and fun (just like boxed wine!), this is a weed fusion of fruity and floral. So it even tastes better than that crap in a box you call wine! Blue Magoo will even combat all the hangover effects of your boxed wine including nausea, anxiety, loss of appetite, and pain.
Drink of choice: Moscow Mule
Strain match: Super Lemon Haze
Ah — Moscow Mules: the delicious concoction of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. On top of getting a smooth, citrusy beverage out of the deal, it also comes with a copper mug to seal the deal. This drink makes us long for beach vacations and sitting out in the sun.
For this beverage and weed strain match, we chose Super Lemon Haze, aka SLH, as this drink’s match made in heaven. A Sativa-leaning hybrid, this strain captures the citrus and zesty notes we adore in Moscow Mules. Even Super Lemon Haze’s flavor is similar to this beverage — sweet, yet tart. Like the drink, Super Lemon Haze is also just eye-catching: a yellow hue with flecks of burnt orange peppering the buds. This drink and strain match is a top winner in our books.
Drink of choice: Wine coolers
Strain match: GSC/Girl Scout CookiesAh, wine coolers: the choice drink of the basic college student. Maybe that was your past self, or perhaps that’s still your inner you. Either way, we see you! And we’re here to tell you that your perfect weed strain match is GSC, aka Girl Scout Cookies.
GSC is a popular strain due to its parentage — the aforementioned and well-loved OG Kush and Durban Poison. Like wine coolers, this hybrid strain has a sweet aroma, but with earthy notes as well. Like wine coolers, GSC gives you that euphoric party high that makes social events a little more relaxing. GSC will shoot your mind and body up to space and back with its full-body effects. Don’t let the name fool you, though. Unlike wine coolers, this strain has some hella potent THC levels — generally ranging from 17-28 percent, which is a big reason GSC has quite a few Canna-bis Cup award notches in its belt. GSC is also a great remedy for pain, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Drink of choice: Lager
Strain match: Jack Herer
Like marijuana, lagers have a wide range of type, flavor, and color. While they vary greatly, generally lagers tend to be hoppy, earthy, and malty. This flavor profile made us think of the marijuana strain Jack Herer, a terpy and bold sativa.
With a parentage of Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk, Jack Herer is true to its sativa personality and delivers an exhilarating and heavenly head high. Created in the Netherlands in the mid-1990s, this earthy strain has earned a lot of clout over the years, taking tons of awards for its quality high.
Drink of choice: Mimosa cocktail Strain match: Tangie
It should be fairly obvious why we chose to pair mimosas with Tangie. A mixture of champagne and orange juice? A marijuana strain born of California Orange and Skunk-1? It was a match meant to be.
Interestingly enough, Tangie, a sativa, is actually a remake version of Tangerine Dream that was popular in the 1990s. True to its namesake and its alcoholic beverage pairing, Tangie smells of citrus fruit. As a sativa, Tangie will give you the head high of your dreams and spark creativity and euphoria.
Drink of choice: Rum and Coke
Strain match: Larry OG
We don’t know about you, but when we think of rum and coke it brings back the nostalgia of summer patio drinkin.’ The spicy kick of rum mixed with the sweet Coca-Cola is quite the relaxing combination.
That’s why we chose the Indica-dominant Larry OG, aka Lemon Larry, marijuana strain. A cross between SFV OG and OG Kush, Larry OG offers a mellow body high while also packing a mean punch. While the effects are euphoric, they’re not overwhelming so there’s a pleasant balance. Like the rum and Coke, Larry OG has a bit of a spice to it as well as a piney aroma.
Drink of choice: Margarita
Strain match: Holy Grail Kush
Tequila is yet another one of those liquors you either love or hate. Maybe you had a terrible experience with it. Maybe you only have wonderful experiences with it. Maybe the very aroma of it makes you gag. Maybe it’s the only thing you’ll drink. Whatever your poison, how can you say no to a nice, chilled glass of margarita?
We picked Holy Grail Kush, a hybrid weed strain, as this marijuana match. The spawn of OG #18 and Kosher Kush, this strain gives off a mellow and relaxing vibe which, now that we think about it, isn’t very tequila-esque. However, like tequila, Holy Grail Kush is quite aromatic. It’s a delicious mixture of spicy, kushy, and citrusy which lines up quite well with a good ol’ marg. On top of all these great assets, Holy Grail Kush won the hybrid category at the 2011 High Times Cannabis Cup and was the first competitor to achieve a perfect score.
Drink of choice: Shots, shots, shots (shots, shots, shots, everyboooooody!!!)
Strain match: Godfather OG
If you’re a straight shots type of person, you’re all about getting to the point, which we respect. That’s why we think your weed strain match is going to be one of the most potent strains on the market: Godfather OG, aka “The Don of All OGs.”.
Godfather OG is the indica strain of dreams. Literally. This cross of XXX OG and Alpha OG will sedate you and it’s the choice strain for medical marijuana patients who are having trouble sleeping. Much like taking shots, Godfather OG is not a sweet intake. Instead, this strain is spicy and robust. If you’re new to the world of smoking weed, you’ll probably want to wait on this one or at least only smoke it in small doses as Godfather OG’s THC content maintains around 28 percent. In fact, this strain is so strong, it won first place for Best Indica at the 2013 Cannabis Cup in Los Angeles.
Drink of choice: Ale
Strain match: Peanut Butter Breath
Peanut Butter Breath is definitely one of the more amusing weed strain names we’ve come across, that’s for darn sure. We chose to match this strain with the classic ale because of its earthy tones.
Peanut Butter Breath, an Indica-dominant hybrid weed strain, is regarded for its sleep-inducing effects, not unlike having a few too many ales. Peanut Brother Breath comes from the strains Do-Si-Dos and Mendo Breath has a uniquely nutty flavor when smoked (hence the name) with earthy and terpy notes. Peanut Brother Breath will bring you down to earth, causing you to feel relaxed and peaceful enough to fall into a deep, deep sleep.
Drink of choice: Bloody Mary
Strain match: Blue Dream
There’s nothing quite like catching Sunday morning brunch and starting your day with a sharp and tangy Bloody Mary. It doesn’t matter if this beverage comes with the whole kit and kaboodle of a side breakfast (but we won’t com-plain if it does) — we’re just glad it’s here with us at the table.
We can say the same thing about Blue Dream, too, which is why we think this is the perfect booze and strain match. A sativa-dominant hybrid that hails from California, this strain has reached leg-endary status among stoners. Stemming from a cross of Blueberry and Haze, Blue Dream offers a delicious balance of total relaxation as well as inspirational exhilaration — the best of both worlds, if you may.
On top of its fantastic effects, Blue Dream also smells divine just like its alcoholic beverage counterpart, with a fruity and berry aroma. The cherry on top? If you’re having some trouble sleep-ing, Blue Dream will remedy that real quick.
Drink of choice: PBR
Strain match: Sour Tsunami
Ah, such a watered-down beer de-serves a weaker strain. Just kidding. But also, how is PBR your favorite beer? In any case, your marijuana match is Sour Tsunami, a Sativa-dominant hybrid.
Like PBRs, Sour Tsunami doesn’t pack a serious punch to sobriety. That doesn’t mean this isn’t an excellent strain, however. Sour Tsunami, a cross between Sour Diesel and NYC diesel, became popular after it was one of the first strains to be cultivated for higher CBD content rather than THC. This means that, while it won’t get you very stoned, it will help with ailments like pain and inflammation. Even better, these buds smell a helluva lot better than PBRs — a musky and diesel aroma.
Drink of choice: Gin and tonic
Strain match: Sour Diesel
A gin and tonic is one chic motheref-fer. It’s the perfect go-to drink if you’re trying to impress whoever you’re with. Just that gin, tonic water, and lime wedge is enough to class the joint up.
There’s really only one strain that will level up to this drink: Sour Diesel, aka Sour D. This sativa strain’s name comes from its sharp diesel aroma. Believed to be the child of Chemdog 91 and Super Skunk, this strain is a creeper — one moment you’ll be stone-cold sober and the next you’re rearranging your entire kitchen while your brain floats on a cloud of weed smoke. Like its legendary brethren, Durban Poison, Blue Dream, and OG Kush, Sour Diesel is a top favorite among fans and it’s obvious to see why. This strain is known for chasing away the blues as well as physical pain and stress.
Drink of choice: Whiskey sour
Weed match: Ultra Sour
It’s hard to argue that whiskey sours don’t bring a lot of life to the party. They’re sweet, they’re sour, and they’re potent which makes for a potent concoction.
Much like whiskey sours, ultra sours create a spark of bliss and euphoria which makes sense as it is the spawn of MK Ultra and East Coast Sour Diesel. This Sativa-leaning strain has an aroma that smells of pine and diesel. Its buds are a deep green hue with flecks of burnt orange making for some damn pretty flower. Novice users beware, however. Don’t be fooled by the name. This strain is not for the faint of heart as it tends to carry a level of potency similar to whiskey sours.
Drink of choice: Hurricane
Weed match: Tangerine Dream
If you end up with a Hurricane in your hand at some point, you know you’re in for one helluva evening. With a mix of rum, lemon juice, and passion fruit syrup, most likely, you’re in for a world of hurt the next morning but dang it’s so worth it.
In honor of that delicious fruitiness, we picked Tangerine Dream, a sativa strain, as this beverage’s partner in crime. This strain will even reduce the effects of that inevitable migraine like nausea, pain, and a lack of energy. Tan-gerine Dream hails from G13, Afghani, and Neville’s A5 Haze. Much like Hurricanes, Tangerine Dream has a citrus aroma and offers joy and euphoria when it’s smoked. Like strains such as Durban Poison, it offers a balance of both relaxation and clarity.
