The unpleasant remnants of the previous night's drinking decisions began to dissipate, giving way to a sense of wellbeing and, dare I say, fun. I felt lighter and more optimistic about the day. I even scored three goals against a seven-year-old in the frigid cold. It seemed my day had magically taken a turn for the better.

Riding this tide of goodwill, I joined my extended family at a local Christkindlmarket—an outdoor Christmas market that caters to kids and bears a strong German influence. Feeling quite relaxed and calm, I found the smells of sauerkraut and bratwurst to be a pleasant aroma, especially since I was hungry, which the cordial had inevitably made me. 

I promptly bought some Doner kebab and fries and devoured them in a faux-traditional beer hall tent. There was talk of an oompah band playing us a few numbers from the old country, but they never showed up. The rumor around the plastic-tarped tent was that the band was hungover, and I couldn't help but give the emcee a knowing look. 

After my wife spotted me on the verge of saying something inappropriate in front of the children, I dialed back my enthusiasm and sat in quiet contemplation. I mostly thought about how the situation might have been different if each member of the German brass band had consumed a Calm Cordial. Perhaps we would all be reveling in horn-heavy classics like "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkei" at this very moment. 

No one seemed more disappointed than the older couple in lederhosen sitting in the corner, who seemed perfectly suited for a song that requires a tuba section. But I, in my "go-with-the-flow" mindset, merely shuttled from knick-knack kiosk to knick-knack kiosk, satisfied from the heavy salted bread, and generally enjoyed my time with the family.

Given the very low psychoactivity of this product, there was never a question of losing control or stepping into a world of jitters and anxiety. This is a perfect way to dip your toe into the realm of cannabis-infused drinks. For a more total body high, one could try Koan's higher dosage cordials like the Wonder, Delight, Create, Play, or Love. 

All cordials can be consumed straight out of the 10ml/.3oz bottle or mixed with your favorite juice. The flavor, I found, was both pleasing and complex, much like herbal tea. This Calm cordial from Koan is a great way to unwind, recover, and leave yourself open for spontaneity. It provides a very easy, breezy sort of CBD buzz.