5 Methods Bartenders Add Smoke to Their Cocktails

Smoky cocktails add drama and depth, and mixologists have discovered methods to infuse smoke into drinks that transcend the basic “smoke the glass” trick.

Listed below are 5 methods to strive, every paired with a cocktail that showcases the strategy.

1. Smoked Glass / Vessel

You’ll want:

• A glass
• Wooden chips (apple, cherry, or oak)
• A lighter or match
• A small plate or coaster

Steps:

1. Mild a small pinch of wooden chips in order that they begin to smoke.
2. Maintain the glass the other way up over the smoke to fill it.
3. Cowl the glass with a coaster or plate to entice the smoke for 10–20 seconds.
4. Take away the quilt and pour in your cocktail—the smoky aroma will rise as you serve.

Cocktail: Smoked Chocolate Pecan Outdated Common — A twist on the basic Outdated Common with chocolate-infused rye and pecan syrup for a wealthy, smoky taste.

2. Flamed or Torched Garnish

You’ll want:

• Your garnish (citrus peel, sugar crust, cinnamon stick, and many others.)
• A lighter, match, or kitchen torch

Steps:

1. Put together your garnish.
2. Maintain it over the cocktail or place it on high if it’s a crust or sugar layer.
3. Ignite briefly to launch fragrant oils or caramelize sugars, then blow out.
4. Serve instantly.

Cocktail: Flaming Mexican Espresso — Includes a torched cinnamon and sugar crust that releases heat, aromatic aromas with each sip.

3. Smoke-Infused Spirit or Ingredient

You’ll want:

• The spirit or ingredient to smoke (whiskey, mezcal, milk, and many others.)
• A smoking gun or small smoker setup
• Wooden chips (apple, cherry, oak, or palo santo)
• A sealed container (jar or cocktail shaker)

Steps:

1. Pour the spirit or ingredient right into a jar, shaker, or glass.
2. Fill the container with smoke and seal instantly.
3. Let it sit 1–3 minutes to soak up the smoky aroma.
4. Use in your cocktail.

Cocktail: Soul On Fireplace — Chocolate milk-washed Santo Mezquila smoked with Palo Santo for a velvety, fragrant drink with depth.

4. Smoked or Charred Ingredient

You’ll want:

• Substances to smoke or char (fruit, herbs, or spices)
• A grill, torch, or smoker

Steps:

1. Put together the ingredient (slice fruit, trim herbs, and many others.).
2. Smoke or char till it develops colour and aroma.
3. Let it cool barely.
4. Add to your cocktail.

Cocktail: Smokin’ Piña — Smoked pineapple and mint give this tropical-inspired cocktail a playful smoky twist.

5. Smoked Syrup or Infused Ingredient

You’ll want:

• Syrup or ingredient to infuse (easy syrup, honey, juice, and many others.)
• Wooden chips (apple, cherry, oak)
• A smoking gun or small smoker
• A sealed container or jar

Steps:

1. Pour the syrup or ingredient right into a container.
2. Fill with smoke and seal.
3. Let it sit 5–10 minutes (longer for stronger taste).
4. Use in your cocktail.

Cocktail: Father’s Fireplace — Bourbon smoked with applewood and layered with smoky salted caramel syrup for a comfy, fireside-inspired sip.