Liquid High: Everything You Need to Know About THC Syrup

Basically, a syrup is a pot taken in liquid form. It can be used in various ways. It can be found in dispensaries, or if your local dispensary does not have supplies, it’s relatively easy to make it yourself. THC syrup is also discrete to use and fairly potent. While a bottle of syrup may recall a potentially hazardous substance, pot-infused syrups are not the same as “lean” or “sizzurp,” or “dirty sprite,” which come with some obscure history behind the name tag. 

What's THC syrup, how can you use it, and how can you prepare it? Skim through to find out more about this popular cannabis product that’s quickly become a favorite of many recreational users.

What is THC Syrup? Defining the Liquid Edible

It’s cannabis taken as a liquid where cannabis concentrates the likes of hash oil has been used as the basis. Other ingredients of the concoction include vegetable glycerin, sugar, coconut oil, agave, or other flavors, depending on the recipe. Because of its sugary combination, THC syrups usually have the consistency that of cough syrups. Store-bought bottles also greatly remind of cough medicine bottles. Though, needless to say, the effects of ingesting THC syrup are rather different than taking cough medicine.

THC syrups work similarly to other cannabis edibles such as hash brownies, space cake, gummies, or tinctures. Pot syrup has to make its way around the stomach before it kicks in the effects, with the only difference, it can still have a faster onset than other traditional cannabis snacks. 

Based on how the syrup is ingested into the body and the person’s tolerance level, the syrupy substance onset time and effect can still vary significantly. Inexperienced users should be cautious about how much syrup they take, just like they are cautious with trying new highly potent strains of weed. Since the product is reasonably sugary, it’s best to consume in moderation.

How to Use THC Syrup: Sublingual Dosing vs. Infused Beverages

The beauty of THC syrup is that you can use it in very different ways. You can administer in the mouth, similar to how you would use a cannabis tincture. Either sublingually or directly on the tongue and mouth. Just apply the desired dosage and leave it for up to two minutes for the concoction to get absorbed in the mouth cavity, then swallow.

You can also use THC syrups in drinks. Add a small dose of syrup to a non-alcoholic beverage such as soda or ginger beer, give it a good stir, and sip one drink at a time. Be patient with infused drinks—your stomach needs time to digest the THC—so don’t assume you need another dose after just 15 minutes or even half an hour.

If you’re hosting cocktail nights with friends and plan to experiment with fancier drinks that include pot syrup, it’s best to stay at home. A couple of infused cocktails can easily get you too stoned. Another way some people use THC syrup “like alcohol” is by taking it in small, measured shots—similar to how you’d take a tequila shot, but far lower in volume and potency.

As a food supplement, THC syrup can also be a versatile magic ingredient for all kinds of sweet recipes. You can add it to pancakes, waffles, jello shots, ice cream—whatever you like. Always shake the bottle with your hand before opening it and taking your dose.

The DIY Method: How to Prepare THC Syrup at Home

From apple to watermelon, dispensaries sell THC syrups in all the different flavors. But in case you can’t find syrup from the place you supply your stash, you can always make it yourself. The recipe is easy.

Ingredients:

• Hash oil, wax, or cannabis flower (per choice)
• Water
• Sugar
• Vegetable glycerin (2 tablespoons for every 3 cups of liquid)
• Additional flavor extracts such as vanilla, apple, coconut, hazelnut, lemon, etc. (per choice)

Instructions:

Step 1: You can prepare a syrup using either cannabis concentrates such as hash oil or wax, or cannabis flower. If you opt for the latter, you first need to decarboxylate the amount of pot you are willing to use for the syrup. It’s the same process you would use for preparing other weed-infused treats such as cannabis peanut butter.

Step 2: Mix equal amounts of water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the sugar has softened and dissolved in the water, reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 3: Next, add the cannabis concentrate or the decarboxylated pot and heat together for about half an hour.

Step 4: Continue cooking on low heat and add vegetable glycerin. For every 3 cups of liquid, add 2 tablespoons of glycerin.

Step 5: Stir the concoction with a spoon on very low heat for 5 more minutes, then remove from the heat.

Step 6: Transfer the concoction into a jar. In case you’ve used cannabis flower as the basis of the pot syrup, filter out the flower before you add the liquid into a jar.

Step 7: Before storing your THC syrup, you can add extra flavorings—such as vanilla or any other profile you personally enjoy. Without added flavor, the syrup tends to taste fairly neutral. If you’re unsure what you like, start by experimenting with small amounts of flavoring to find the right balance.

Crucial Distinction: Is THC Syrup Different Than ‘Lean’ or ‘Sizzurp’?

Disclaimer: The following information is provided to clearly distinguish between THC syrup and dangerous, illicit substances. Soft Secrets strictly advises against the use of ‘lean’ or any misused prescription medication.

THC syrup has widely been billed as a safer alternative to ‘lean’ in the U.S., however, weed liquid is something entirely different than the hip hop culture bouncing-back-to-popularity drink. There have been different types of Lean drinks for the last 50 years, and these can be quite dangerous, unlike pot syrups. To be absolutely clear: THC syrup is not lean, not sizzurp, not purple drank, and not dirty sprite. It’s simply another form of cannabis edible.

Saying that THC syrup is an alternative to Lean is like saying that cannabis is an alternative to potentially lethal and harmful substances such as heroin. Lean stirs codeine cough syrup, antihistamine promethazine, soda, and sometimes alcohol in its content.

In reality, codeine—though considered a milder opioid—is still part of the same drug class as morphine. Its use in lean drinks is often misused and consumed in amounts far above what is medically safe. Taken this way, it’s harmful to the body and highly addictive.

The confusion around THC syrup and lean largely comes from the way some cannabis brands market their products, hinting at the aesthetic or culture of lean. Others, however, make a point to avoid any association with that dangerous practice when describing their syrup products.

Safety and Consumption: Understanding Potency and Enjoyment

Since it’s an edible substance, THC syrups are healthier than smoking weed is. So if you are going to get high by syrup, it’s a healthier, safer way to do it than using weed and tobacco. That’s, of course, a matter of choice. Some like their weed well rolled in a king-size paper—end of discussion. Nevertheless, the fad of THC syrups seems like it’s going to stick with us for a while. For many, it’s a more affordable product than buying hash or flower, and it’s incredibly convenient in markets where weed is still not legal and where users often reach out for products that can guarantee discreet use.

One thing to remain aware of is that THC syrup strength can significantly vary depending on whether it was made with flower or hash oil as the basis. So, 5mg of flower-based or oil-based syrup might come with noticeable potency differences. This should particularly concern novice users who do not have the experience and might feel sick after getting too stoned. It’s always best to purchase clearly labeled bottles where it states the THC level and how the syrup was made. When you have such a product in your hands, it’s definitely safer, as you know what’s in it.

Read more on Soft Secrets:

• The Future of Cannabis Use: From Flower to New Products
• Uncovering the World of 99% THC Extracts
• Which Cannabis Strain Matches Your Mood? Tips for Choosing the Right One

Last updated November 26, 2025