Holiday Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney + Ricotta & Fig Crostini: A LĒVO Potency & Dosing Guide

Whether you joined us live for Flower Infusion 101: How to Master Potency & Dosing at Home, or you’re discovering infused cooking for the first time, this seasonal recipe duo brings everything together:

• precise potency
• beautiful flavor pairing
• mindful serving
• holiday-worthy presentation
• and the ease of modern infusion tools like the LĒVO.

This guide includes the exact cannabis honey infusion demonstrated during the workshop, plus an elevated appetizer—Ricotta & Fig Crostini with Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney—inspired by Italian traditions where simple, honest ingredients shine. 

It’s one of my favorite holiday go-tos when I’m hosting or gathering with friends. I absolutely love these flavors together—the rosemary, honey, and figs feel like home to me—and adding a whisper of infused honey becomes a true conversation starter, bringing a little ease, warmth, and wonder to the table. It’s a gentle lift that helps everyone settle in, connect, and enjoy the moment.

Honey also offers natural viscosity and acts as a mild terpene protector, creating a smooth carrier for cannabinoids, the plant compounds (like THC and CBD) responsible for the infusion’s effects ⁵. Terpenes—found in rosemary, citrus, and cannabis—are the aromatic compounds that shape the recipe’s bright, herbal profile, while cannabinoids contribute to the experience itself. Together, they create a beautifully layered, balanced infusion.

Why This Recipe Matters

At the workshop, two questions came up again and again:

“How do I calculate my potency?”
“And once I make my infused honey… what do I do with it?”

This blog answers both—clearly, simply, and with the confidence you need to infuse at home.

You’ll learn:

• The full Merry & Bright Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney recipe
• Exact LĒVO settings (Dry → Activate → Infuse), so your results are clean, consistent, and low-odor
• Simple, accurate THC—and CBD—dosing math you can confidently apply to any infusion you make at home.
• How to turn your infused honey into a sophisticated, beginner-friendly holiday appetizer
• Safety, microdosing, and hosting tips to make your infused table welcoming for everyone

If you missed the livestream, you can revisit everything here — including the same potency formulas we walked through together and the flavor-pairing techniques that make this recipe shine.

Recipe #1: Merry & Bright Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw honey
• 1.5–2 g decarboxylated cannabis flower (~18% THC)
• 2–3 sprigs dried rosemary (≈ 1½ Tbsp leaves, stripped & lightly crushed)
• 1 tsp orange zest or dried peel (optional)
• ½ tsp liquid sunflower lecithin or ¼ tsp powdered (per cup of honey)

Lecithin helps improve emulsification and cannabinoid distribution in honey ¹.

Why This Flavor Profile Works

This recipe blends aromatics, acidity, sweetness, and herbal depth in a way that feels both holiday-ready and effortlessly elegant.

Honey brings natural viscosity and acts as a mild terpene protector, creating a smooth carrier for cannabinoids. Terpenes—the aromatic compounds that give rosemary, citrus, and cannabis their signature scents—contribute to the bright, herbal profile, while cannabinoids like THC and CBD shape the overall experience ⁵. Together, they create a beautifully layered infusion with a gentle, balanced effect.

Rosemary adds earthy, pine-forward notes that echo the herbal undertones of cannabis. In Mediterranean cooking, rosemary symbolizes comfort, grounding, and warmth—qualities that translate beautifully into infused recipes and holiday hosting.

Citrus zest brightens the infusion, cutting through honey’s richness and enhancing complexity. In Italian cuisine, citrus is often used to awaken the palate and add a refreshing lift to both sweet and savory dishes.

Combined, these ingredients create a festive, aromatic infusion that elevates everything from cheese boards to roasted vegetables, baked goods, and of course, our featured crostini.

Step-By-Step: How to Make it Using LĒVO

This method preserves honey’s natural enzymes, protects your cannabinoids, and creates a clean, predictable infusion—no guesswork, no mess, just beautifully controlled results. This recipe uses the LĒVO Dry → Activate → Infuse method. If you’re new to the machine, here’s a full guide on how to use a LĒVO infuser.

1. Dry Cycle

   If rosemary or citrus peel is already dried, skip this step.
   115°F for 30 minutes

2. Activate Cycle (Decarb)

   For cannabis flower:
   240°F for 45 minutes
   These decarb settings preserve terpenes while activating cannabinoids ². Want a deeper look at the science behind activation? Here’s a guide to understanding decarb & infusion basics using CBD oil as the example.

3. Infuse Cycle

   105–120°F for 1–2 hours
   This gentle temperature range protects honey's natural enzymes and ensures consistent cannabinoid infusion without degrading potency.

Looking for a simple, non-seasonal version? Here’s our classic cannahoney recipe for everyday infusing.

LĒVO Settings At a Glance

Step	Ingredient	Temp	Time	Notes
Dry	Rosemary & citrus	115°F	30 min	Optional if pre-dried
Activate	Cannabis flower	240°F	45 min	Standard decarb 2
Infuse	Honey	105–120°F	1–2 hr	Avoid overheating; stir well before pouring

LĒVO Tips

• Keep your infusion below 120°F to help maintain honey’s natural enzymes, floral notes, and delicate compounds.
• Lecithin improves consistency and cannabinoid dispersion for more reliable dosing ¹.
• Stir the finished infusion thoroughly before pouring or storing to ensure even potency throughout the batch.
• For an ultra-smooth finish, warm the honey slightly after infusion (never above 120°F) to help it settle beautifully in the jar.
• Let the infusion pod drain fully—honey is thick and needs a little extra time to release every drop.
  

How to Calculate Potency for CannaHoney

This is the same potency math we covered during the workshop—simple, predictable, and universal, whether you’re infusing THC flower, CBD flower, or a balanced cultivar. If you want a deeper understanding of potency and absorption, here’s our beginner-friendly edible dosing guide that breaks everything down step-by-step.

Step 1: THC or CBD Formula

No matter which flower you use, the calculation remains the same:

Total cannabinoids (mg) = Flower grams × % cannabinoid × 10

Example (using 18% THC or 18% CBD):
2 g × 18% × 10 = 360 mg total cannabinoids in the batch.

Step 2: Determine Total Servings

1 cup honey = 48 teaspoons

Using our workshop example:
360 mg THC ÷ 48 = 7.5 mg THC per teaspoon

Step 3: Choose Serving Size

• ¼ teaspoon → ~ 1.8–2 mg THC or CBD (a gentle microdose)
• ½ teaspoon → ~ 3.5 mg THC or CBD
• 1 teaspoon → ~ 7.5 mg THC or CBD

Pro Tips

• If using THC-dominant flower, beginners often find 2–5 mg THC to be a comfortable place to start  ⁴.
• CBD-only or CBD-dominant honey is not likely to produce euphoric effects, but starting with a low dose helps you understand how your body responds.
• Honey tends to create a smoother, more gradual onset than oil-based edibles, so be patient and avoid redosing too quickly.

Potency at a Glance

• 2 g flower @ 18% THC or CBD → 360 mg per batch
• Per teaspoon → 7.5 mg THC or CBD
• Per 1/2 teaspoon → ~3.5 mg THC or CBD
• Per ¼ teaspoon → ~2 mg THC or CBD

Safety & Serving Notes

• Always label infused foods clearly, especially when serving guests.
• Keep all infused products out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not heat infused honey directly—add it only after cooking to help preserve cannabinoids and maintain potency⁵.

Recipe #2: Ricotta & Fig Crostini with Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney

A festive holiday appetizer inspired by my Italian roots, where food is rustic, simple—honey, herbs, figs, bread—and always meant to awaken the senses.

Imagine this:

Warm toasted bread, creamy ricotta, ripe figs, a touch of rosemary, and a delicate drizzle of your freshly infused citrus honey.

It feels like stepping into an Italian holiday kitchen—where the comfort of tradition meets the ease and mindfulness of modern infused cooking, and where every ingredient has a purpose, a story, and a moment to shine.

Ingredients

• 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (fresh or whipped)
• ¼ cup grated sharp provolone for a savory, festive bite
• Coarse pepper, sea salt flakes, or garlic salt to taste
• 4–5 ripe figs, sliced (or substitute pear for a lighter, crisper variation)
• 1–2 tbsp Merry & Bright Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney
• 1 tsp lemon or orange zest (optional)
• 1 tbsp chopped walnuts or pine nuts
• Fresh rosemary leaves for garnish
• Optional: thin ribbons of prosciutto for a savory contrast

Instructions

1. Toast the Crostini
   Brush the baguette slices with olive oil on both sides and toast at 375°F for about 8 minutes, or until golden and lightly crisp.
2. Make the Ricotta Spread
   In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, grated provolone, sea salt flakes or garlic salt, and coarse black pepper.
   Mix with a handheld electric mixer until smooth, creamy, and whipped light and fluffy.
3. Spread the Ricotta
   Once the crostini have cooled slightly, spread about 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture onto each toasted round.
4. Layer the Flavors
   Top each crostini with sliced figs or pears.
   Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pine nuts, if using.
5. Drizzle the Infused Honey
   Finish with a light drizzle of your Merry & Bright Rosemary Citrus CannaHoney.
   For a gentle, predictable dose, start with about ¼ teaspoon per crostini (~2 mg THC or CBD).
6. Finish & Serve
   Garnish with fresh rosemary leaves and a touch of citrus zest. Add a thin ribbon of prosciutto for a savory twist if desired.

Optional Flavor Variations

Savory Rosemary + Prosciutto Crostini

Thin ribbons of prosciutto add a salty, savory counterpoint to the sweet honey and creamy ricotta. A touch of extra citrus zest brightens the bite and balances the richness.

Pear, Walnut & Cracked Pepper Crostini

A cozy, fall-forward combination perfect for low-dose entertaining.
The crisp pear, earthy walnuts, and freshly cracked pepper create gentle, layered flavors.

Fig, Lemon Zest & Sea Salt Crostini

Bright, aromatic, and beautifully simple.

A sprinkle of lemon zest and flaky sea salt lifts the figs and pairs especially well with Prosecco or crisp sparkling wines.

Ricotta, Citrus & Honey Toasts (Non-Infused)

Serve a non-infused version alongside the infused crostini to welcome all guests (or for foodies like me who might want to eat more than two)!
Ideal for anyone who prefers a 0 mg THC or CBD option.

Charcuterie Pairing Suggestions

• Fresh burrata
• Aged pecorino
• Castelvetrano olives
• Thinly sliced salami or speck

These pairings make a stunning holiday board that blends sweet, savory, creamy, and herbal notes—what I like to call herbalicious.

Serving Size & Dosing Notes

• For gatherings, keep the drizzle light—especially when offering infused appetizers.
• Never heat infused honey directly; always drizzle after assembly to preserve potency and aromatics ⁵.
• Offer infused and non-infused versions side-by-side, clearly labeled, so that guests can choose their own experience with confidence.

Maria’s Tips for Elegant Cannabis-Forward Entertaining

Infusion Integrity

Protect your infusion by keeping infused honey away from direct heat. Warm—not hot—foods help release aromatics while preserving cannabinoids ⁵.

Tableside Drizzle

A light drizzle tableside adds a touch of ceremony and storytelling—while giving you a natural moment to guide guests on dosing.

Perfect Pairings

Prosecco, chamomile tea, or a rosemary–mint blend complements the honey's citrus-herb profile beautifully.

Layer Flavors Like a Chef

Citrus zest brightens the palate, walnuts add texture, figs bring sweetness, and prosciutto adds depth. Together, they create a multidimensional bite that feels festive and thoughtful.

Mindful Hosting

Always label infused vs. non-infused items clearly. Encourage your guests to “start low and go slow” so everyone feels comfortable, relaxed and cared for.

A Gift from the Heart

Pour your infused honey into small jars, tie each with a fresh rosemary sprig, and add a handwritten note:

“A taste of the Italian holidays—drizzle over cheese, bread, or roasted vegetables.”

It’s simple, heartfelt, and makes infused gifting feel elegant and intentional.

LĒVO Workshop Replay: Flower Infusion 101

Revisit the full workshop experience at your own pace, including:

• Decarb demonstration
• Potency and dosing walkthrough
• Honey infusion technique
• Crostini assembly
• Live audience Q&A

Perfect for anyone who attended and wants a refresher — and for those who couldn’t make it live but want to explore infused cooking with confidence.

Tools Used in This Recipe

• LĒVO II or LĒVO Lux
• LĒVO herb pod
• Kitchen scale
• Glass storage jars
• Microplane or citrus zester
• Handheld mixer for ricotta spread
• Silicone spatulas (ideal for sticky infusions)

FAQs

This guide is intended for educational and culinary purposes only. Infusion techniques, potency calculations, and serving suggestions are based on widely accepted practices in cannabis cooking and home infusion. Always consume responsibly and adjust dosing according to your personal comfort and experience level.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means Green Bee Life may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our educational content. We only share products we personally use, trust, and believe add real value to your wellness journey.