7 Summer Smoked Cocktails for Your 4th of July Barbecue
7 Summer Smoked Cocktails for Your 4th of July Barbecue
Summer is the perfect time to explore the art of smoked cocktails, especially when celebrating the 4th of July. Adding a smoked cocktail to your barbecue can elevate the experience to new heights as the sun shines bright and the grills are ablaze. In this listicle, we'll explore seven tantalizing smoked cocktail recipes that are refreshing and embody the spirit of Independence Day.
Smoky Old-Fashioned Twist
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes of bitters
- Orange peel
- Ice cubes
- Wood chips for smoking
Instructions:
This takes on the classic old-fashioned recipe introduces a smoky flair, perfect for those who love traditional cocktails with a twist. Start by muddling the sugar cube and bitters in a glass. Add bourbon and ice cubes. Using your Smoked Fashioned kit, smoke the cocktail with your preferred wood chips. Garnish with an orange peel for a patriotic and sophisticated touch.
Patriotic Smoked Berry Bliss
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries)
- Ice cubes
- Wood chips for smoking
Instructions:
The Smoked Berry Bliss is a must-try for a refreshing and fruity option. Muddle a handful of mixed berries in a shaker. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well with ice. Strain into a glass over ice cubes and smoke using your Smoked Fashioned smoker kit. The result is a visually stunning and flavorful cocktail celebrating summer's berry bounty.
Applewood Smoked Whiskey Sour
Ingredients:
- 2 oz whiskey
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Egg white (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Applewood chips for smoking
Instructions:
This recipe is for those who appreciate the finer nuances of whiskey. Combine whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) in a shaker. Shake vigorously without ice (dry shake) and then with ice (wet shake). Strain into a glass over ice cubes. Smoke with applewood chips for a unique flavor profile that complements the whiskey's richness.
Cherrywood Smoked Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz triple sec
- Salt for rimming
- Ice cubes
- Cherrywood chips for smoking
Instructions:
A smoky twist on the beloved margarita, this cocktail is both zesty and intriguing. Rim your glass with salt. In a shaker, mix tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Shake and strain into the glass. Smoke with cherrywood chips for a distinctive flavor that's both tart and smoky, perfect for a 4th of July celebration.
Hickory Smoked Bloody Mary
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz tomato juice
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- Dash of Worcestershire sauce
- Tabasco to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Celery sticks for garnish
- Ice cubes
- Hickory chips for smoking
Instructions:
For a savory option, the Hickory Smoked Bloody Mary is a crowd-pleaser. Mix vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt, and pepper in a shaker. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Smoke with hickory chips to add a deep, smoky flavor that complements the savory notes of the drink. Garnish with a celery stick for an all-American touch.
Mesquite Smoked Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- Fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2 tsp sugar
- Soda water
- Ice cubes
- Mesquite chips for smoking
Instructions:
The Mesquite Smoked Mojito offers a refreshing and smoky twist on the classic Cuban cocktail. Muddle mint leaves and sugar in a glass. Add lime juice and rum, and fill the glass with ice. Top with soda water. Smoke with mesquite chips to infuse the drink with a unique, aromatic flavor that's both refreshing and complex.
Maple Smoked Blueberry Collins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz blueberry syrup
- Soda water
- Ice cubes
- Maple wood chips for smoking
Instructions:
This cocktail combines the sweet and tart flavors of blueberries with a subtle smokiness. In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and blueberry syrup with ice. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with soda water. Smoke with maple wood chips for a gentle, sweet smokiness that complements the blueberry's natural flavors.
Each of these smoked cocktail recipes brings a unique flavor and character to your 4th of July celebration. Whether you're a seasoned mixologist or a beginner, these cocktails are sure to impress your guests and make your Independence Day barbecue unforgettable. Remember, the key to a great smoked cocktail lies in the quality of your smoker and the choice of wood chips, so choose wisely and let the flavors unfold. Happy 4th of July!
