8 Classic Cocktails Reinvented with Smoke

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

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

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

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

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

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

smoked bourbon 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

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

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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!


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