Meet SHOKi: a Cannabis Drink inspired by the Caribbean

Following up on our recent exploration of Black-owned edibles, we had to do a deeper dive on SHOKi—one of the most innovative cannabis drinks out there. With a fusion of Caribbean and West African ingredients, this cannabis beverage is unlike any other. To find out more about how best to enjoy such a flavorful THC drink, we caught up with co-founder, Tiffany Yarde, to get the scoop.

 

What inspired you to start SHOKi cannabis drinks?

In 2017, I went on vacation to Ghana, West Africa, to celebrate my bestie’s latest venture and turn up with friends and family.

I had worked 27 weekends in the energy and infrastructure sector that year and needed a getaway ASAP to recharge. While I was there, I met my would-be co-founder, George Yehouessi, a Ghanaian tech sales professional who had an idea for alcoholic mixers made with indigenous fruits, roots, and herbs. Over the course of 2 weeks, we sampled a bunch of ideas and brainstormed what an international business model could look like. In 2018, when I got back to Brooklyn and into my kitchen with some local friends and George on Zoom, we brought SHOKi to life. The rest has been a wild ride ever since.

 

SHOKI CONTAINS SUCH UNIQUE FLAVORS. WHAT INSPIRED THEM?

 

Our flavors hail from the rich Caribbean heritage of our upbringing and our travels through West Africa. For example, Ruby Spice is known as Sorrel in the Caribbean and Sobolo in West Africa. Our pineapple ginger cannabis drinks are a home recipe from my mom and granny, who were born on the island of Barbados. They immigrated to the US in the 1970s. So I’ve always had one foot here as a 1st-gen American and one foot in the Caribbean.

 

https://youtu.be/v7pzPPzfwHA

 

What would SHOKi be if it was a music genre?

A fusion of Afrobeat, Soca, calypso, and reggae.

 

Talk to us about cannabis drinks dosing

SHOKi has a unique combination of ingredients. Its euphoric power is specially formulated by infusing organic cannabis nanoemulsions into fresh juices and herbal blends. We focus on a consistent experience with flavors you can re-imagine again and again. The vibes you caught from the first glass will be the same until the last drop. Our cannabis dosing is ~1 mg THC per oz in our single-serve 5 oz bottles and 2.5 mg THC per ounce in our large-form 12 oz bottles.

 

You describe SHOKi as “fast-elevating cannabis”. What does that mean?

Predictable vibes only. With SHOKi there’s no more waiting an hour to feel the high of an infused snack. 80% of human body weight consists of water. Because we use nanoemulsions that are water-compatible, the high bioavailability of THC in our products allows you to enjoy the experience within 15 minutes and conclude the effects within a couple of hours. First, that means no over-consuming because you thought it wasn’t working. Second, you can expect smooth landings that keep your happy feet on the ground because you won’t be flying to Venus for two days. We’ve all experienced that “outer space”, and we don’t care to return!

 

Tell us about SHOKi Schellos. Is it a cannabis beverage, too?

Nope! SHOKi is a brand that is about flavor and heritage first! Our Schellos line, soon-to-be available on Amazon, is a non-alcoholic, non-cannabis mixer with the same base flavors as our cannabis products. From Pineapple to Mint to Passionfruit to Ruby Spice, you can try these zero-alcohol mixers with anything you’d like and enjoy a taste of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in every glass. Who says you can’t enjoy a great cocktail experience just because you dropped the intoxication? Sober-curious—or zero-proof living as we TribeSHOKi folks call it—is a pretty sexy lifestyle choice if you’re willing to explore the possibilities….

 

 

 

 

What’s your personal favorite way to serve SHOKi THC drinks?

Nice and simple. Straight up, poured over ice with a twist of lime!

Your bottles are gorgeous! Can you tell us the story behind their design?

Thanks so much! Lourdes De La Cruz is an oil painter who comes from Spain. She’s a native-New Yorker and an educator. We have mutual friends, so when we were introduced, I told her about what we were building with SHOKi. Once she listened to our story, we came together and designed what you see on the bottles today!

We can’t get enough passion fruit—would you share a cocktail recipe that features your passion fruit cannabis drink?

Here’s a fun zero-alcohol play on the classic Coronado cocktail that I love!

 

 

Passion Fruit Coronado Cocktail Ingredients

• 2 oz. coconut water

• 3 oz. passion fruit SHOKi

• ¼ oz. fresh lemon juice

• Tall glass of ice

• orange wheel for garnish

For an extra kick when you want to introduce some low-proof alcohol version, add 1 oz. Aperol.

 

You’re hosting a dinner—who’s at the table, and what are they eating/drinking?

Ok, don’t laugh or judge. Brunch at my place would include Pastor AR Bernard, Dr. Onorio Chaparro, Dave Chappelle, Michelle Obama, Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Will Smith, Diana Richardson, Zellnor Myrie, Chuck Schumer, Wanda James, and Kristen Clarke. Of course, they’d be enjoying SHOKi Spritzs (infused and zero proof) and eating the following throughout the day:

• Quail bites (starters)

• French toast with berry compote and brown sugar bacon

• Fried lobster tails

• Goat cheese salad

• New York Cheesecak

How do you suggest people educate themselves about THC drinks?

That’s easy! Head to “Bar SHOKi” at www.tribeshoki.com for the latest blog posts on safe and moderate consumption, mixology, infused entertaining meal/snack prep, party planning, African and Caribbean food as well as music culture!

 

If you could wish one US social justice reform into legislation in 2021, what would it be?

Release of prisoners in the US jail system held for marijuana convictions.

Besides revolutionizing the cannabis drink space, what are your future goals?

We want to continue building bridges among the diaspora. This includes deepening our relationship with women, Black, and Brown farmers in the US and Africa by sourcing our all-natural products from their lands. We want to do our part to provide economic empowerment for the marginalized and underrepresented all around the world. Every tree begins as a seed. We’re focused on building a long and rewarding future where SHOKi connects the human experience, one glass at a time.

Where can we keep up with you about what’s new on social?

Join our email list for the latest and greatest at this link: get brand updates

Follow us on IG and Facebook for fun pics from time to time – @tribeshoki