The 5 Best Smoked Cocktails
Master the art of smoking cocktails, with tips, tricks, and recipes to wow your guests.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Mastering the smoky cocktail profile is more than just adding a dash of mezcal or torching a garnish; it’s all about creating depth, balance, and a hint of drama - things that all guests are looking for in their cocktail experience.
Showstopping Smoke-Flavoured Cocktails
Here are 5 top smoked cocktail recipes and some tips on how to transform your serves into unforgettable, aromatic creations.
1. Lagavulin 16 Old-Fashioned
The Lagavulin 16 Old-Fashioned is a refined smoky cocktail, perfect for guests who appreciate bold flavours and the timeless smoothness of Scotch whisky. The complex flavours of this iconic Islay single malt Scotch give this luxurious riff on the classic an aromatic smokiness and showcase its peaty character perfectly.
2. Johnnie Walker Black Label on the Rocks
Give your whisky cocktail game a cloak of Johnnie Walker Black Label smoke with this bold, unforgettable twist on the Whisky & Soda. This smoky cocktail has rich notes of creamy toffee, sweet fruity spice, and a smoky, warming finish, all topped up with bubbly soda water. Finish it off with a sprig of freshly toasted rosemary, for a truly aromatic experience.
3. Smoky Martini
The timeless Martini gets a smoke-filled twist. The extremely sippable Smoky Martini combines Tanqueray London Dry Gin chilled with Dry Vermouth and Anisette, an anise-flavoured Mediterranean Liqueur. The smoke comes from a rinse of peaty Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
4. Australian Smokey Margarita
If you want to give guests a smoky twist on the classic margarita, then the Australian Smokey Margarita is perfect for the job. Mezcal’s bold, earthy flavour with that hint of agave sweetness adds a complexity that your more adventurous guests will love. Crafted with Casamigos mezcal as the base spirit, this smoky cocktail is balanced with fresh lime juice and orange bitters to enhance the citrus notes. Give it a try with the cocktail recipe below.
5. Penicillin
The Penicillin is a modern classic cocktail which was first created in New York in 2005. This smoked cocktail masterfully blends sweet, and tangy flavours to give your guests a sophisticated drinking experience. Combining Johnnie Walker Black Label with lemon juice and simple syrup, it’s served in a rocks glass over a large ice cube. A dash of Islay’s Talisker Single Malt Whisky adds the final smoky touch and gives the Penicillin a warming, refreshing flavour that is ideal for adventurous drinkers and whisky enthusiasts.
Smoking Classic Cocktails
Adding smoke to classic cocktails can really elevate them both in terms of taste and appearance. Here are a few that work best with smoke, along with the different types of aromas to pair them with.
There are some essential pieces of kit you’ll need to start making smoked cocktails. These include wood chips, and a smoking gun which you load the wood chips into. This allows you to burn them and direct the smoke directly into the drink or glass.
Alternatively, you can use a smoke top which is essentially a cover with a mesh in the middle for the wood chips. Placing the smoke top over the top of your serve and then use a blow torch to burn the wood chips and fill the glass with smoke.
Another common method is to smoke the glass itself by lighting leaves or chips on a plate and leave it covered with your glass while you prepare the cocktail. Want to see how it’s done? Check out the short how-to video below.
Old Fashioned
A classic choice for smoking, the Old Fashioned pairs beautifully with the flavours from woodchips like cherrywood, or hickory. The smoke really enhances the caramel and spice notes and is an exciting way to take your guests deeper into the whisky’s flavour profile.
Negroni
Adding smoke to a Negroni is a creative way of softening some of its bitterness. It will also add a layer of complexity and give your serve a unique aromatic twist. The flavours of a Negroni are quite robust, suiting the warmth and richness of oakwood.
Gin and Tonic
With something lighter like a Gin and Tonic, try smoking the glass with applewood before serving. Doing this will create an earthy contrast to the crisp botanicals of gin, without overpowering the flavour.