Smoked Old Fashioned

Take a favorite classic cocktail up a notch with a modern, seasonal twist – the Smoked Old Fashioned. This easy recipe, with video below is just as good (if not better) than one you’d order at a fancy restaurant. Jump to Recipe

The Smoked Old Fashioned has been one of the most popular cocktails commonly found on bar and restaurant menus for years now. Especially in the fall and winter months when the smoky, woodsy notes are most desirable. I’ve more recently seen them served year-round too though along with many other smoked variations.

I love this Smoked Old Fashioned version, because it adds a unique flavor profile without taking too much away from the already delicious Old Fashioned. Aside from smoking the drink, the rest of this recipe is pretty standard to the pre-prohibition original. Now this drink is easier than ever to make at home! All you need is a cocktail smoker, which is definitely worth the investment if you think about how much a single smoked Old Fashioned costs out. Below I’ve shared my favorite smoker and an alternative which also make for great gift ideas. It is that time of year, after all!

 

What is an Old Fashioned?

A spirit forward cocktail most commonly served with bourbon. However, you may also see them stirred with rye whiskey or Irish whiskey. The Old Fashioned first got its name back in the 1880s but is thought to have existed awhile before that. It’s consists of whiskey, sugar cube, bitters, and water. Today you’ll often find them stirred with simple syrup (which is just sugar and water combined ahead of time). That’s how I make my Old Fashioned. You will also find them garnished with an orange or lemon peel. I go with orange and squeeze a tiny bit of the juice into the drink too.

Why Smoke an Old Fashioned?

Since Old Fashioned cocktails are whiskey forward and commonly served with bourbon they already innately have slightly smoky, spicy, warm undertones. Infusing them with smoke enhances the flavors already found in the drink. While undeniably delicious (the Old Fashioned is one of my favorite cocktails and was one of the signature drinks served at my wedding), they are a more basic cocktail.  Smoking just gives them a little something extra. The process of smoking a drink is also just cool to witness. It definitely ups the presentation ante. Impress friends and family at your next party with a Smoked Old Fashioned!

Smoked Old Fashioned Ingredients:

As I mentioned, my Old Fashioned recipe is pretty standard. I use bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, and orange peel. Easy. The trick to making a really spectacular Smoked Old Fashioned? The quality of the ingredients you’re using. Let’s get into it.

Best Bourbon for a Smoked Old Fashioned:

Trying and collecting bourbons has become somewhat of a hobby of ours. The collection we have has gotten a tad out of control, but this is a judgement free zone. 😊 I’ve experimented with many different types for Old Fashioned (and lots of other cocktails), and my favorite to mix for this drink is Woodford Reserve. It’s oaky, spicy and subtle sweet flavor is enhanced by infusing with smoke. A couple other options I like are Four Roses Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Old Forester 1920.

If you prefer whiskey, I recommend…

Go with a rye whiskey. In my experience they blend best with these types of cocktails. Try Knob Creek Rye, Basil Hayden or Redemption Rye.

Simple Syrup:

One of the easiest things to make. Add equal parts sugar and water (I typically do ½ cup of each) to a small saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for about five minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool fully before incorporating into the drink. Store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge to add to other drinks, coffee, etc. You can also buy pre-made simple syrup if you prefer.

Bitters for Smoked Old Fashioned:

Angostura bitters is added to cocktails for complexity and to enhance other flavors. Its name gives away the taste – bitter. I use Angostura bitters for my Old Fashioned, but I also love using orange bitters. The citrus and spice in orange bitters accentuates the other ingredients in the cocktail. I recommend using the orange version for the Smoked Old Fashioned. You can find them in any liquor store and on Amazon.

Orange Bitters

Orange Peel:

I give my Smoked Old Fashioned an ever so subtle squeeze of fresh orange juice and then use the peel to rim the edge of the glass and garnish. You can flame the orange peel to release the oils of citrus over the drink and add a little smokiness. However, since we’re already smoking the Old Fashioned I don’t find it necessary here.

Ice:

A good large ice ball or cube is ideal for a Smoked Old Fashioned both from a presentation and practicality standpoint. They melt much slower keeping your drink cool but not watering it down. Here are my favorites from Amazon: Ice Molds

Cocktail Smokers

Now for the Smoked Old Fashioned equipment! There are many types of cocktail smokers or smoking guns, but my absolute favorite is the Crafthouse Smoking Cloche from Pottery Barn. It is SO easy to use, and it looks fancy and decorative displayed on a bar cart or bar cabinet. Smoking the cocktails inside the tempered glass cloche really holds the smoke in for an even, well-distributed flavor throughout your drinks. The smoking chips that come with it are applewood and give the Old Fashioned the best taste. We’ve had ours for a few years now. It has held up great AND we still have lots of smoking chips left. It’s a fantastic gift idea for anyone who enjoys making cocktails at home!

Crafthouse Smoking Cloche

The Breville smoking gun is another popular option that works well for Smoked Old Fashioneds. You don’t get as consistent of flavor as the Crafthouse in my opinion, but it still works great. It’s also less expensive and easier to store for someone who doesn’t have much counter or cabinet space.

Breville Smoking Gun

Smoking food:

You can also smoke food, so purchasing one of these is good for more than just drinks. Some of my favorite things to smoke are cheese, steak, salmon and potato chips.

Smoked Old Fashioned without a smoking gun or smoker?

I highly recommend investing in the right equipment for this cocktail, but in a pinch you can (carefully) burn a small piece of smoking wood (applewood or hickory) over a wood cutting board. Place the glass upside over the wood to acquire as much smoke as possible, and then build your drink. This method will only yield slight hints of smoke.

Smoked Old Fashioned Instructions:

To build this cocktail simply add two ounces of bourbon, ½ ounce of simple syrup, 2-3 dashes of orange bitters and a tiny squeeze of orange to a rocks glass. Add ice cube and stir well, preferably using a proper bar spoon like this one. Rub orange peel around rim of glass and drop in.

Then you smoke it! Follow directions on the smoker you have. When I use my Crafthouse, I simply set the cocktail in the smoker once it’s made and smoke it. I let it sit in there for about a minute to build up the flavor. Taste test it, and if you want it smokier do a second round.

Watch my Smoked Old Fashioned video below for visual instructions!

Serving Smoked Old Fashioneds with dinner?

Pair it with this Molasses Glazed Pork Tenderloin to compliment the flavors.

If you enjoyed this Smoked Old Fashioned you might also enjoy:

These cocktails are also tasty smoked!

Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned

Black & Blue Manhattan

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail