Tropical Maui
Infused Island Tea
Tropical citrus and tea tannins balance the earthy notes of a cannabis infusion — shaken into a frothy island-style drink.
Finished Product
Brew your tea double-strength — 2 bags for 6 oz of water — so the flavor holds up against the juice and ice. Let it cool completely before mixing.
Add the chilled tea, pineapple juice, lime juice, sweetener, and your dose of infused MCT oil into a cocktail shaker or mason jar with a tight lid. Add a few ice cubes and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Fill a tall glass with fresh ice. Strain the shaken mixture into the glass. You should see a frothy, light-colored foam on top — that's your infusion well-incorporated. Garnish with fresh mint or a lime wheel and enjoy.
Boil 2 cups of the water and steep all 8–10 tea bags for 5–7 minutes — you want a very strong concentrate. While the tea is still hot, stir in your honey or agave until fully dissolved. Then add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to bring the temperature down quickly.
Pour the cooled tea, pineapple juice, and lime juice into your pitcher. Add your total dose of infused MCT oil. Use a whisk or large immersion blender and mix for 60 seconds — this breaks the oil into the smallest possible droplets for the most even distribution.
Seal and refrigerate. Stays fresh for 5–7 days. Every time you pull the pitcher from the fridge, give it a very vigorous stir or shake before pouring — MCT oil naturally rises to the top over 24 hours, and skipping this step means the first glass gets the entire week's dose.
Swap the base tea and juice to create different island-inspired variations. Each combo replaces the tea and juice in the base recipe — the infused oil, honey, and technique stay the same.
Use black tea + swap the citrus juice for fresh Maui Gold pineapple juice. Add a sprig of fresh mint and a squeeze of lime. The bromelain in pineapple naturally aids digestion and absorption of the infusion.
Brew jasmine green tea double-strength + use fresh lilikoi juice (strained) as the citrus component. Add agave instead of honey. The tart, floral passion fruit pairs beautifully with green tea's grassy notes — a Maui café staple.
Use chai tea (brewed strong with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger) + replace the juice with coconut cream. Serve warm or iced. The fat in coconut cream acts as a natural emulsifier for the infused oil — and the spices mask any earthy notes completely.
Use hibiscus tea (brewed cold in the Maui sun for 2–3 hours) + swap juice for a blend of mango purée + guava nectar. The deep red hibiscus color and tropical fruit creates a stunning, Instagram-worthy infused drink with natural vitamin C.
Replace the tea with māmaki tea — a native Hawaiian herbal tea made from the leaves of the māmaki plant. Brew double-strength, chill, and pair with local lehua honey + lemon. Māmaki is caffeine-free and traditionally used for calming energy — a perfect pairing with an infusion.
Brew black tea double-strength + replace the citrus juice with POG juice (passion-orange-guava). Mix 50/50 tea-to-POG over ice. The classic Arnold Palmer gets an island twist — the POG's tropical sweetness balances the tannins and completely masks the infusion.
🌺 Kānehiwa's Tip: Fat is your friend with infused drinks. The more fat in the liquid (coconut cream, whole milk, MCT), the better the infused oil will emulsify. Always shake or blend vigorously for at least 30 seconds to get a smooth, consistent dose in every sip.
Layer the Flavors
If your infused oil is very potent or earthy, use a Hibiscus tea base. The deep red color and tart flavor profile mask "green" notes better than any other tea.
The Lecithin Upgrade
If oil keeps separating too fast, add a tiny pinch — the size of a match head — of sunflower lecithin powder before shaking. It's a natural binder that keeps the drink emulsified for hours.
Temperature Control
Always shake with ice. Cold temperatures thicken MCT oil slightly during shaking, making it much easier to trap oil droplets in the liquid during emulsification.
For adults 21+ only. Keep all infused products clearly labeled and stored safely away from children and pets. Effects vary by individual tolerance and metabolism — always start low and wait before redosing. This recipe is intended for legal use in accordance with applicable state and local laws.