2025 Guide: Alcohol-Free Cannabis Syrup for Everyday Use

This recipe is Bill the Goat’s creation—a long-time home grower and passionate cannabis cook. He’s a trusted voice in the growing community and shares honest, real-world cannabis recipes on Instagram. This syrup is not for potency chasers, but perfect for microdosing, growers with extra trim, or anyone avoiding alcohol.

So, if you’ve searched how to decarb weed, cannabis syrup recipe, or alcohol-free cannabis infusion, you’ve landed in the right place.

Let's Start with the Science: Why Decarb Matters

Before you can infuse, you need to decarboxylate—a fancy word that just means activating the THC or CBD in your cannabis through heat. Raw cannabis won’t get you high or give you the benefits of CBD without this crucial step. You’re essentially turning THCA into THC and CBDA into CBD.

Most home cooks mess this up because decarb is heat-sensitive. Too high and you destroy cannabinoids. Too low and nothing happens. That’s why I use the ECRU Decarboxylator. It's a one-button decarb and infusion device—easy to use, smell-proof, and accurate.

Ingredients – Bill’s Original Recipe

• 10g flower or trim

• 2g kief (optional, for extra kick)

• 4 cups water

• 4 cups sugar (raw cane preferred)

• 3 tbsp vegetable glycerin (acts as thickener & cannabinoid binder)

Step 1: Decarb the Cannabis

With Oven (Traditional Method – Not Recommended):

• Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C)

• Spread cannabis and kief on a baking dish

• Cover with foil

• Bake 30 mins for THC, 60 mins for CBD

BUT… this method is inconsistent, especially with kief—it can burn easily and smell strong.

With ECRU Decarboxylator (Recommended Method):

• Place 10g flower + optional kief into ECRU canister

• Close the silicone smell-control lid

• Press the button and choose your mode:

  • THC Decarb: 30 mins

  • CBD Decarb: 1 hr

• Let it cool down. That’s it.

Bill says:

Step 2: Cook the Syrup

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan

2. Add 4 cups sugar and stir until dissolved

3. Add the decarboxylated cannabis

4. Reduce to simmer and stir occasionally for 20 minutes

5. Add 3 tbsp vegetable glycerin

   • Optional: add more for thicker texture

6. Let it simmer gently for another 20–30 mins

7. Stir occasionally to prevent clumping

Step 3: Strain for Clean Syrup

This part makes all the difference.

• Line a colander with cheesecloth

• Pour the mixture slowly

• Let it drip through naturally (don’t press too hard—it can add bitterness)

• Store in airtight glass bottles

• Refrigerate for up to 2 months

Bill’s tip:

Bonus Tips for Better Infusion

Why Avoid Alcohol?

Infusing with alcohol is popular—but not always safe or accessible. Alcohol has a low boiling point, making it risky for stove-top use. Plus, it’s not suitable for kids, recovering patients, or folks avoiding booze for religious reasons.

This recipe uses vegetable glycerin, which binds cannabinoids in a water-friendly base. It’s not perfect (some potency is lost), but it works well for low-dose enjoyment.

Want Stronger Infusions?

For stronger results, switch to butter, coconut oil, or MCT oil, and infuse using the ECRU Decarboxylator. It supports:

• Cannabutter

• Cannaoil

• Glycerin

• Honey

• Even tincture prep (no alcohol!)

Know the Limits

Let’s be honest: water is not a great solvent for THC or CBD. This syrup won’t deliver strong psychoactive effects like a tincture or cannabutter.

But that’s the point.

This recipe is for people who:

• Want to microdose gently

• Are growing at home and don’t want to waste trim

• Prefer non-alcoholic cannabis drinks

• Enjoy making weed tea or herbal syrups

Conclusion: Is This Syrup Right for You?

If you’re chasing potency, this isn’t your recipe.

But if you’re looking to experiment with alcohol-free cannabis infusions, especially for tea or lemonade, this is a great starter. You’ll get a mild, mellow experience perfect for Sunday afternoons or evening wind-downs.

Want more advanced infusions like tinctures, cannabutter, or cannaoil? Check out our other guides. Or grab the ECRU Decarboxylator, the all-in-one machine that makes cannabis cooking a breeze.