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Smoked Cocktail Recipes: Three Classics to Start With
Spirit-forward classics are a useful starting point for cocktail smoking. Make and chill the drink first, finish with a short exposure to wood smoke, and taste before adding more.
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Smoked Old Fashioned
One drink · About 5 minutes total (3 minutes preparation) · Oak · 15–20 seconds of smoke
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Orange peel
- A small pinch of Oak wood chips
- Stir bourbon, syrup and bitters with ice until chilled.
- Strain into a heat-resistant rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Seat the smoker securely, add a small pinch of Oak chips and briefly light the chips. Extinguish the torch and let smoke settle for 15–20 seconds.
- Remove the smoker carefully, garnish with orange peel and serve.
Smoked Manhattan
One drink · About 5 minutes total (3 minutes preparation) · Cherry · 10–15 seconds of smoke
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Cocktail cherry
- A small pinch of Cherry wood chips
- Stir rye, sweet vermouth and bitters with ice until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled, heat-resistant glass that safely supports the smoker top.
- Add a small pinch of Cherry chips, briefly light them and extinguish the torch. Let smoke settle for 10–15 seconds.
- Remove the smoker carefully and garnish with a cherry.
Smoked Sazerac
One drink · About 5 minutes total (3 minutes preparation) · Apple or Oak · About 10 seconds of smoke
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- Absinthe, for a light rinse
- Lemon peel
- A small pinch of Apple or Oak wood chips
- Lightly rinse a heat-resistant rocks glass with absinthe and discard the excess; move the bottle away from the work area.
- Stir rye, syrup and bitters with ice, then strain into the rinsed glass.
- Seat the smoker securely, briefly light a small pinch of chips and extinguish the torch. Keep the flame away from alcohol and let smoke settle for about 10 seconds.
- Remove the smoker carefully and express a lemon peel over the drink.
Choose your wood
These pairings are starting points, not rules. Start with a short exposure and adjust to taste.
| Wood | Character | Try it with |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | Balanced | Old Fashioned |
| Cherry | Soft | Manhattan |
| Apple | Light | Rye cocktails |
| Maple | Gentle | Maple Old Fashioned |
| Hickory | Bold | Bourbon, briefly |
| Mesquite | Intense | Small doses |
Use with care
Adults only. Read the supplied instructions. Use a level, heat-resistant surface in a well-ventilated area, away from children, pets and flammable materials. Keep the flame directed at the chips, never at alcohol or glass. Never leave a flame unattended. Let the steel screen cool fully before touching or cleaning it.
Questions, answered
Can I order the kit now?
$64.99 USD on Amazon. Check Amazon for the current delivery estimate before ordering.
Does it include butane or alcohol?
No. The refillable gold torch ships empty; suitable butane is sold separately. No alcohol is included.
Which glasses does it fit?
The smoker top is 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) in diameter. Check that it rests flat and stable on your heat-resistant glass before lighting; contact support if you need help checking the fit.
How long should I smoke a drink?
Start at about 10 seconds and taste. A short 10–30-second exposure is enough for most drinks; wood choice and personal preference affect the result.
Should I smoke before or after stirring?
For these recipes, stir and chill first, then add smoke. This keeps the finishing aroma close to serving.
Can I smoke a drink with ice?
Yes. These recipes can be finished over ice in a suitable glass. Keep the flame directed at the chips, never at the glass or alcohol.