Infusiast Spotlight: Anna, the Cannabinista

Meet Anna, widely known as The Cannabinista, an educator and advocate for creating a healthy relationship with the plant through her informative content. With a strong presence on social platforms and her blog, Anna has captivated her audience with her creative infused drinks all year round. Her journey as a LĒVO affiliate has significantly evolved, allowing her to perfect her infusion techniques and share her knowledge with a growing community. As she gears up to host an upcoming LEVO Webinar Workshop on crafting infused drinks, Anna is excited to give us a sneak peek into her expertise and passion for this innovative approach to consumption. Join us in exploring Anna’s story, her favorite recipes, and what you can expect from her free digital workshop.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. What sparked your interest in creating infused drinks?

Hi, I’m Anna, also known as The Cannabinista! I’m an educator, and an advocate for creating a healthy relationship with the plant. About four years ago I decided to become “cali sober” aka alcohol-free, because I didn’t like the way I felt after drinking. 

I started making infused mocktails and other foods when I discovered dissolvable flower powder. I found that mocktails especially were a great (and discreet) way to enjoy the plant without having to inhale it. I also noticed it was the ideal way to consume the plant, socially at gatherings and events where one would have had an alcoholic beverage. No more hangovers for me!

How has your infusion expertise evolved with your LĒVO use over time?

Using my LĒVO has given me the opportunity to really test, learn and explore in the kitchen. I’m much better at dosing now by leveraging a dosage calculator like this one. Having a LĒVO has also allowed me to experiment more beyond food and beverage like dabbling with homemade topicals.

Your social platforms and blog highlight a variety of infused drinks. What inspires you to create these drinks year-round?

Beverages are one of my favorite ways to consume the plant, and creating infused beverages that can be consumed year round has slowly become one of my biggest passions. In the spring and summer, I love fruit and sparkling drinks and mocktails - anything that pairs well with a patio and the warm weather. 

My favorite right now is my Flower infused Paloma Mocktail which is so refreshing and easy to drink. In the fall and winter I love warm and spiced beverages that make me feel comfy and cozy. I like to make these with infused oils like my Flower Infused Masala Chai which brings all the warm and spiced flavors I want during the colder months. 

Almost all of the inspiration I get for my flower infused mocktail recipes comes from the different flavors of the seasons, as well as different Asian drinks like my mango and honeydew infused bubble tea recipes. 

Can you share a memorable experience or a favorite infused drink recipe that you've created using your LĒVO machine?

For me, it all leads back to the root of a lot of food and beverage recipes - infused oil which is why it’s one of my favorites. You can add it to coffee based drinks like lattes (hot for the winter or add ice for the summer) and it’s just a great staple to have in the house for most infused food and drink recipes. My favorite drink recipe that I’ve created using my LĒVO machine has to be my espresso mocktini. For me it’s a perfect way to enjoy a classic beverage and it hits every time no matter the season!

You’re hosting an upcoming webinar workshop focused on creating infused drinks. Can you give us a sneak peek into what participants can expect?

My upcoming webinar workshop is going to feature a few fun recipes! We’re going to cover a trendy yet classic cocktail - the espresso mocktini which is one of my personal favorites, along with a fruity, healthy smoothie and a summer mocktail with infused honey and a delicious prebiotic sparkling mocktail. The smoothie will be super customizable, you can use whatever fruits you have in your fridge and freezer, and the summer mocktail is going to be perfect for this hot weather! I can’t wait for everyone to try them out.

What are some tips and tricks you’ll be sharing in the workshop for making the perfect #LĒVOmade ingredients like MCT oil and honey?

During the workshop you’ll hear a few tips and tricks from me about how to make your infused honey potent, as well as some pros and cons to using MCT oil vs other oils like coconut and olive oil.

You’ll be providing recipes for a mocktail, a smoothie, and a drink of your choice. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind these recipes?

I love recipes that are fuss-free and easy to make so I’ve created these recipes in the hopes that they’re approachable and easy for anyone to make regardless of experience level. All of the ingredients I use are simple and naturally sweetened because health is really important to me and I try to consume whole foods whenever possible. Even though the ingredients for these recipes are simple, I still wanted to create beverages that feel luxurious and like a treat because we all deserve to feel like we’re treating ourselves! All you’ll need for each of these recipes is a few household tools and your LĒVO.

How do you engage with your community and audience through your infused drink creations? Any standout moments or feedback from your followers?

A lot of the community I’ve built initially found me through my infused beverage creations because people love recipe videos and learning about infused drinks. I’ve always loved posting my homemade creations on reels, TikTok, and my community loved following along and recreating them themselves. It's a growing category but not widely available to consumers yet, depending where you live. 

The sober curious movement is becoming more widely known and recognized, and being layered with the cali sober movement. People are learning about the negative impact of alcohol and transitioning to flower consumption. In November 2023, I hosted a workshop on how to make infused mocktails in Toronto which was a great hub for the community to connect and learn about infused mocktails.

What advice do you have for someone new to creating infused drinks with LĒVO?

My advice is always going to be to start low and slow with dosing. You can add more whenever you want but it’s harder to take away once something has been added so play around with the dosage safely to ensure you get the best experience. Infusing can also seem confusing but once you have your steps and practice a few times, it’s quite simple and fun, especially when you use a device like LĒVO that makes it so much easier.

What future projects or ideas are you excited about in the realm of infused drinks and LĒVO?

I have to say that I’m extremely excited about the growth of the infused beverage category within the flower industry. It’s one of my favorite ways to consume and seeing the cali sober/alcohol-free movement start to take off is really exciting because I think this is just the beginning for infused drinks.

How can people stay updated with your work and join your upcoming webinar workshop?

For anyone who wants to stay up to date with what I’m up to, I recently started a podcast called Mindful Consumption where I have in depth conversations about flower. It’s a complicated topic that has a lot of nuance to it so each week I dive into a new topic and explore all of the research, stigmas and claims regarding it. Feel free to check it out on Spotify, YouTube or anywhere you get your podcasts!

You can also subscribe to my weekly newsletter where I give updates about flower all around the globe, and share new flower education and tips! Plus you can find all of my uncensored content here which you can’t find on most social media platforms!

I also have a YouTube channel where I like to share fun videos about the flower industry, vlogs and what I’m up to. Finally, catch me on TikTok and Instagram (@cannabinista.co) for daily stories and content!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the LĒVO community or those interested in learning more about infusions?

If you’re new to the LĒVO community or just the world of infusions in general, here are 6 simple steps to making the best flower infusions plus some extra helpful tips! And remember, it’s better to start low and slow so you can get the best results out of your infusions.

Thanks for joining us for the exclusive webinar workshop on crafting infused drinks with LĒVO!

If you missed it, don’t worry! Be sure to follow LĒVO to be the first to know when the recording becomes available. Stay tuned for more opportunities to elevate your infusion skills!