By: Loren Lee Chiesi
In a bold new era of cannabis innovation where vape cartridges and dab pens reign king, bongs seems like relics of a primitive past.
I recommend dusting off Old Faithful from the back shelf and trying some of these easy recipes to give your bong an herbal renaissance.
RELATED: 8 Benefits of Smoking Cannabis With a Bong
For centuries, water pipes (such as bongs, bubblers, and hookahs) have been the preferred method of smoking around the world.
Many cannabis enthusiasts are partial to bong highs because the hits are strong, yet the steamed smoke is a smoother sensation on the throat and lungs.
These bong water recipes are inexpensive and simple to craft. If you can make ice cubes, boil water, and crack open a can of La Croix, you’ve got all the skills you need to succeed.
Herbal bong water recipes
Chill Thrill
This bong water is perfect for a hot summer day.
-Boil 2 cups of hot peppermint tea.
-Let the tea cool, and pour the tea into empty ice cube trays.
-Once the tea cubes have frozen completely, place 2-5 cubes in your bong (depending on size) along with a small bit of cool water to cover the bottom of the bong reservoir.
Enjoy the refreshing sensation of icy cool vapor and the subtle chill of peppermint.
Chai High
-In a small saucepan, brew 10 cardamom pods, 2 whole cinnamon sticks, 1 thumb-sized of ginger, 6 cloves, and 1 black teabag and bring to a boil. Use whole spices, not powders (to avoid inhaling spice particles, which could irritate the lungs and throat).
-Let the mixture cool to a safe drinking temperature, drain the solids, and add the warm chai-spiced water to your bong.
-Feel free to drink any leftover chai water as you smoke to enhance the flavor.
Berry Jane
Red berries are a perfect flavor complement to sweet and fruity strains of cannabis. To make this berry-infused bong water, first…
-Choose your preferred frozen berries (blueberries, acai, strawberries, and raspberries are perfect).
-Then, make a berry tisane using hot water and an herbal berry tea blend of your choice (strawberry, blackberry, currant, goji, and elderberry work well).
-Let the berry tea cool.
-Then add 1/4 – 1 cup (depending on bong size) of berries to the bottom of your bong.
-Then add the cooled berry tea over the frozen berries until bong reservoir is half full.
Be transported into summery memory as you inhale these very berry bong hits.
Lazy Hazy
Sometimes, you just want to settle in with a nice cozy Indica strain and let the slow tide of relaxation wash over you. For that level of relaxation, you’ll need bong water that is both soothing and comforting.
-In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons each of chamomile, lavender, and green tea leaves to a boil.
-Once boiling, let the leave steep until the water cools to drinking temperature.
-Strain the leaves and add the herb-infused hot water to the bong reservoir.
Lavender and chamomile are well-known calming plants with mild sedative properties. Green tea has polyphenols, which can alleviate stress and anxiety.
Champagne Supernova (Bubbler Bubbly)
Never underestimate the power of effervescence! Replacing your typical tap with soda water is a clever way to get your pipe popping. The cool, crisp sensation of bubble water adds sparkle to your bong pulls.
-Add frozen grapes to the soda water to for a champagne effect. For even more refreshment, try a naturally flavored soda water (grapefruit, lime, cherry, and watermelon are stellar selections).
-Be sure to choose unsweetened varieties, as any sugar particles can clog your pipes and leave your piece sticky.
Added benefit: The sodium carbonate in your spritz will help keep your tubing clean.
Flower Power
Rosewater has been a mainstay in the Mediterranean and Middle East since the times of emperors and pharaohs. Revered for its mild floral flavor and analgesic properties, rosewater is commonly used in cuisine and holistic medicine.
-For your bong cocktail, use 3 tablespoons of rosewater per cup of water.
It’s conveniently located in the specialty foods section of most supermarkets and readily available online. Who needs a dozen roses when you can just take twelve great bud hits from a rosy bong?
Rise and Rind
If you’re in the mood for a more energetic Sativa flow, try this citrus-infused bong water.
-Shave the peels of one lemon, orange, or lime rind (or combine two types of peels if you’re feeling sassy).
-Let the rinds steep in two cups hot water.
-When cooled, add the citrus-infused water to your bong.
Savor the taste of sunshine with each breath.
Caveats
Juices, wine, beer, soda, might seem like logical mixers for bong water replacements. However, all these drinks have high sugar contents that can leave pipes sticky, stinky, and full of lingering bacteria.
If you do try any of these liquids, be sure to clean your piece thoroughly after each use.
Avoid using essential oils in your bong water mixtures. Although essential oils and aromatherapy have many healing benefits, their potency makes them pesky water additions, because inhaling essential oils in such high density can irritate the sensitive tissues of the lungs and throat.
Also, the oils and water do not mix, so tar in smoke adheres to the oil, making it more difficult to clean later.
How to clean your bong
Lean in to experimenting with funky flavors, but be sure to practice basic water pipe hygiene. Rinse all parts of the water bong and change the bong water after each smoking session. This prevents residue buildup and mold growth on inner parts.
For a deep clean..
-Fill your bong ¾ -full with a mixture of one part lemon juice, one part white vinegar, and five parts hot water
-Let this sit for at least 5 hours, swirling the mixture around the bong intermittently.
-Rinse clean and dry.
Be wary of using harsh cleaning chemicals in your bong that you would not want to inadvertently inhale.
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Loren Lee Chiesi is a writer, editor, and teacher who enjoys storytelling, travel, movement, and experiencing the quirkier aspects of living.