8 Classic Cocktails Reinvented with Smoke
Cocktails have always blended art and science, a mix of tradition and innovation. While classics like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan have stood the test of time, the modern palate seeks something more – a twist, a reinvention. Enter the world of smoked cocktails. Smoking adds a new dimension to the drink, infusing it with a unique complexity and depth.
This article'll explore eight classic cocktails reimagined with a smoky flair, perfect for your next home mixology adventure.
Smoked Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange twist for garnish
- Oak wood chips for smoking
Method:
Start by preparing your old-fashioned ingredients in a mixing glass. The simplicity of bourbon, sugar, and bitters creates a smooth canvas for the smoke. Using your cocktail smoker, infuse the mixture with oak wood smoke for a minute, allowing the robust, earthy flavors to meld with the bourbon's natural sweetness. Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a rock glass over a large ice cube. Express the oil of an orange twist over the glass, adding a citrusy aroma that complements the smokiness.
Smoky Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin or vodka
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- Lemon peel or olive for garnish
- Applewood chips for smoking
Method:
The martini, a symbol of sophistication, gets a smoky makeover. Combine gin or vodka with dry vermouth in a mixing glass. Use applewood chips in your smoker to introduce a subtle, fruity smoke that doesn't overpower the spirit's botanicals. Stir until chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon peel or olive, enhancing the drink's complexity.
Smoked Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- Salt for the rim
- Hickory wood chips for smoking
Method:
The margarita, a blend of tequila's boldness with the sharpness of lime, becomes even more intriguing with smoke. Rim a glass with salt. In a shaker, mix tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Smoke the mixture with hickory wood chips, introducing a robust, bacon-like flavor. Shake with ice and strain into the prepared glass. The smoky notes play wonderfully with the tequila's agave tones.
Smoked Manhattan
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rye whiskey or bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Cherry for garnish
- Cherry wood chips for smoking
Method:
The Manhattan, a whiskey lover's delight, gains a new layer of cherry wood smoke. Stir rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass. Smoke the mixture with cherry wood chips, adding a sweet, fruity smoke that complements the rye's spiciness. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a cherry, creating a harmonious blend of smoke and sweetness.
Smoked Negroni
Ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Orange peel for garnish
- Mesquite wood chips for smoking
Method:
The Negroni, a bittersweet symphony, becomes edgier with mesquite smoke. In a mixing glass, combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Smoke with mesquite wood chips, adding a slightly sweet smoke accentuating the cocktail's herbal and bitter notes. Stir with ice and strain into a rock glass over ice. Garnish with an orange peel, adding a bright note to the smoky depth.
Smoked Whiskey Sour
Ingredients:
- 2 oz whiskey
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Egg white (optional for frothiness)
- Cherry and lemon twist for garnish
- Pecan wood chips for smoking
Method:
The Whiskey Sour, a balance of sweet and sour, is elevated with a pecan smoke infusion. In a shaker, combine whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. For a creamier texture, add an egg white. Smoke the mixture with pecan wood chips, introducing a nutty, buttery aroma that complements the whiskey's richness. Shake vigorously with ice, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a cherry and lemon twist, bridging the gap between the sourness and the smoky undertones.
Smoked Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
- Applewood chips for smoking
Method:
The Mojito, a refreshing blend of rum and mint, is transformed with a light applewood smoke. Muddle lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves in a mixing glass. Add rum and gently smoke the mixture with applewood chips, adding a delicate, fruity layer to the mint's freshness. Pour into a glass of ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig. The smoke adds a unique twist to this classic refresher.
Smoked Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Orange peel for garnish
- Hickory wood chips for smoking
Method:
- Prepare your cocktail smoker with hickory wood chips, an excellent choice for infusing a robust yet subtly sweet smoke flavor – perfect for a Smoked Cosmopolitan.
- Combine vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and fresh lime juice in a shaker. The tartness of cranberry and the citrusy zest of lime make for a delightful mix, especially when elevated with the smoky notes.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake well. This step is crucial to ensure that all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, chilling the drink to perfection.
- Strain the mix into a martini glass, a classic choice for serving cosmopolitans. The elegance of the glass complements the sophisticated nature of this cocktail.
- Now, for the exciting part – smoking the cocktail. Light the hickory wood chips in your cocktail smoker, and carefully cover the glass to infuse the drink with a smoky essence. The aroma of the hickory, combined with the vibrant flavors of the cosmopolitan, creates a unique sensory experience.
- Garnish with a twist of orange peel. This adds a decorative touch, and the oils from the orange peel subtly enhance the drink's aroma and flavor profile.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the harmonious blend of classic cosmopolitan flavors with a smoky twist, a true testament to the art of modern mixology.
The Smoked classics are a prime example of how traditional cocktails can be reinvented with a touch of smoke, adding an extra layer of complexity and delight.
These drinks, among others, showcase the versatility of cocktail smoking, a technique gaining popularity among cocktail enthusiasts and home bartenders. At Smoked Fashioned Co., we're dedicated to helping you explore and master the art of smoked cocktails, bringing a new dimension to your home bar. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or a curious beginner, our range of smoker kits and top-notch ingredients are designed to elevate your cocktail experience, one smoky sip at a time.
Looking for other recipes for Smoked Cocktails? Check it out!
