Want to take your at-home cocktails to the next level? You need to explore the world of smoked cocktails!
The 10 recipes I’m about to share include both reinvented classics and inventive contemporary creations that will become mainstays of your happy hour.
1. Smoked Manhattan Cocktail
Of all the perfect classic American cocktails, Manhattans are a top choice for me. So, you can imagine how excited I was about this smoky version.
It uses the usual Manhattan ingredients including quality bourbon, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters. What is unique is that it adds depth with smoke.
You do not have to use a cocktail smoking gun for this, although you could certainly go that route.
2. Smoked Rose Cocktail
Is scotch your drink of choice? Grab a bottle of your favorite whisky because you will want to try this fascinating drink.
As with many smoked cocktails, it is a balance of smoky and sweet. What makes it different is the herbal aroma and flavor of rosemary simple syrup and Green Chartreuse liqueur.
As for the simple syrup, you can store it in the refrigerator and indulge later.
3. Smoke and Spice Old-Fashioned
Walk into almost any cocktail bar, and you can order an old-fashioned cocktail. What I doubt you can get is this wonderful smoke and spice concoction. But fortunately, it only takes a few minutes to make at home.
Smoked chili bitters enhance the smoky notes that bourbon gets from aging in charred barrels. This boozy beverage also features demerara simple syrup that adds a deeper flavor than regular simple syrup.
Careful, this one features high-proof bourbon, so it is best for sipping.
4. Smoked Bloody Mary with Smoked Bacon
Are you wanting to make the supreme bloody Mary?Look no further because this recipe is unmatched by the competition.It simply elevates the concept of a bloody Mary to the next level.
To start, you’ll coat fresh tomatoes in Old Bay then smoke them with strips of thick-cut bacon.It is a legendary drink and will certainly please a crowd.
5. Smoked Margarita Sour (with Smoked Tequila)
It is no secret that I’m a big margarita fan, and this recipe is high up on my favorites list. I love how many layers there are to this margarita and how well they complement one another.
You get smokiness from the cherry wood smoked tequila and the sour mix. Cointreau and agave sweeten it up while lime keeps it fresh.
And the best part is the frothy texture of the aquafaba.
6. Smoked Cherry Old-Fashioned Cocktail
Some people believe you should not mess with a good thing. But in the world of cocktails, you absolutely should!
This classy classic is revamped with a modern spin that takes time and dedication to craft. You’ll need to smoke some fresh cherries to make the simple syrup. If you feel inspired, you can even experiment with different types of wood chips.
7. Bourbon Toscano
This incredible creation brings together Kentucky and Italy.
It has Kentucky straight bourbon and Aperol, which is an Italian bitters. Aperol is bright orange both in flavor and color, adding a bittersweet component to this drink. These two ingredients alone have a range of notes making this drink complex.
To round it all out, there are a couple of dashes of rosemary bitters as well as some fun garnishes.
8. Smoked Rosemary Bourbon Sour Cocktail
Warm summer nights and lazy afternoons call for leisurely sipping on this smoky bourbon sour. The contrast of sweet lemonade, smooth bourbon, and smoky rosemary is both refreshing and relaxing.
Be sure to carefully burn the rosemary. You want it to be smoky, not burned to a crisp.
Try it with pink lemonade to make this cocktail a little sweeter and fruitier.
9. Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
Celebrate the seasons changing with this festive drink, that tastes like summer and fall in a glass. Mezcal adds a smoky element that mixes well with the sweet orange liqueur and apple cider. Then there is a bit of maple syrup to seal the deal.
The glass has a rim of cinnamon and sugar too. While the smoking cinnamon stick is optional, it’s that extra little something that is sure to impress.
10. The Smoked Cherry – A Bourbon and Brandy Cocktail
If you are seeking a cocktail and a show, this drink is for you! You’ll use a cocktail smoker and some cherry wood to smoke this cocktail right in front of your guests. If you don’t have a cocktail smoker, you can still add a smoky element with a few drops of liquid smoke.
Bright, smoky, and sweet, this is one smooth drink in my opinion. Trust me, this trick will be especially alluring to your next Halloween bash.