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Smoked Old Fashioned

A classic cocktail elevated with smoke for a complex flavor profile.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 sugar cube or 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters optional but recommended
  • Ice cubes preferably large or one large cube
  • Orange peel for garnish
  • Cherry for garnish optional
  • Wood chips for smoking hickory or oak work best
  • Small amount of water 1/2 teaspoon

Equipment

  • Cocktail mixing glass
  • Bar spoon or long stirring spoon
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Coupe glass or rocks glass
  • Smoking gun or kitchen torch
  • Smoking wood chips (hickory, oak, or apple wood)
  • Muddler (optional)
  • Strainer
  • Citrus zester or peeler for garnish

Method
 

  1. Pour a small amount of water into a coupe or rocks glass and swirl it around to chill the glass, then discard excess water.
  2. Load the smoking gun with wood chips, light it, and fill the chilled glass with smoke for about 30 seconds.
  3. In a mixing glass, place the sugar cube, add 1/2 teaspoon of water and 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters, then gently muddle until a thick paste forms.
  4. Pour in the orange bitters and stir for about 10 seconds to incorporate.
  5. Measure and pour 2 ounces of whiskey into the mixing glass and stir to combine with the sugar and bitters mixture.
  6. Add large ice cubes or one large cube to the mixing glass and stir for 20-30 seconds to chill.
  7. Strain the cocktail into the smoke-filled glass.
  8. Garnish with an expressed orange peel and a cherry, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

The smoked old fashioned works best as an after-dinner sipper or as a pre-meal aperitif with rich foods.