13 Best Smoked Cocktails You Need To Try!

For cocktail connoisseurs and enthusiasts, smoked cocktails are nothing new. However, old is truly gold when it comes to this, and smoking cocktails became popular for a reason. 

When they are done correctly, smoked cocktails can be wonderfully delicious, as the flavors of the liquid and smoke infuse together, creating a delicious combination.

The longer you allow them to sit together, the more the flavors infuse. 

This article is going to be providing you with a list of some seriously delicious smoked cocktails (see also ‘Low Calorie Cocktails: 20 Of The Best‘). You can either order them on your next cocktail bar adventure or try making them yourself at home!

How Do You Smoke A Cocktail? 

A drink that is very commonly served smoked is whiskey. Whiskeys such as rye and bourbon usually go through an aging process, and this is done in charred oak barrels. 

We often associate the smell of smoke with wood, and due to the aging process, whiskeys tend to have a sort of oak aroma to them.

Therefore, these aromas, combined with smoking, make for a very pleasant flavor. 

There are several ways to smoke a cocktail, but they all involve burning. You can burn wood chips, nuts, whole spices, and woody herbs such as rosemary. 

You can do this by lightly smoking or torching your garnish, smoking the cocktail contents, using a cocktail smoker, and smoking the actual cocktail glass. 

What Alcohol Goes Best In Smoked Cocktails? 

As we mentioned above, whiskey is the best alcohol to use if you are making a smoked cocktail.

As was stated, the aging process that whiskey goes through can often leave it with a smokey, woody aroma, one that is similar to actual smoke. 

Therefore, you will notice that many of the cocktails mentioned in this article are made with different kinds of whiskeys. 

Cocktails that use pineapple (see also ‘20 Cocktails Made With Pineapple‘) are also great for making smoked cocktails, as smoking pineapple is something that is popular and gives it a wonderful taste. 

1. Smoke On The Water

As if there wasn’t a better name for a smoked cocktail! This drink is as delicious as it is visually appealing. 

It combines Banhez Mezcal Artesanal, with some Cointreau along with refreshing watermelon juice, lime juice, and hibiscus syrup.

It also has an agave syrup base, which classifies this cocktail as a variation of a Margarita. 

The smoked element comes from the sprig of rosemary – it is soaked in alcohol to make it flammable, and although this is mainly done for a visual effect, the smoky aromas will linger around the drink, giving you some pleasant notes of rosemary. 

2. Rum And Smoke

This cocktail is made with a delicious combination of aged rum (see also ‘23 Classic Rum Cocktails For The Summer‘), sherry, and Tempus Fugit Classico bitter liqueur. 

Aside from a rosemary sprig that is burned, like the previous recipe, this cocktail also has a teaspoon of smoked rosemary simple syrup.

This adds a lot to the flavor and complements the other components of the cocktail wonderfully. 

3. Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned

A traditional old-fashioned is usually made by mixing sugar and bitters, along with some whiskey. They are normally served with a citrus rind as well. 

This cocktail is inspired by the old-fashioned but contains smoked cherries and smoked cherry syrup in order to add some more sweetness to the traditional drink. 

The cherries in this recipe are smoked with a wood smoker and Alder wood chips, giving them a heartwarming, delicious flavor. 

4. Smoked Bloody Mary

They say Bloody Mary’s are the perfect cure for a hangover, so you can enjoy making this cocktail at home when you’re in need of some ‘hair of the dog’. 

This cocktail consists of tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, lemon, and vodka.

However, this recipe adds an extra flare by including some delicious smoked bacon! Enjoy this on your next brunch date! 

5. Smoked Rosemary Bourbon Sour

The combination of sweet lemonade, warm bourbon, and smoked rosemary makes this the perfect cocktail to impress your guests. 

Like some other cocktails on this list, this recipe involves burning a sprig of rosemary and adding it to the glass. This gives it a delicious, smoky aroma, making the cocktail all the more appealing. 

6. Dragon’s Breath Cocktail

As the name suggests, this cocktail literally smokes, due to the use of an inverted brandy snifter filled with mesquite smoke. 

The cocktail itself is made with bourbon (see also ‘Bourbon Cocktails: 30 Of The Best‘), St-Germain, Cointreau, and smoked simple syrup, and the ingredients make for a lovely sweet and smoked taste. 

7. Smoked Old-Fashioned Godfather

This is another variation of an old-fashioned with an extra sweetness as this recipe uses some Disaronno amaretto. 

The mix of whiskey, amaretto liqueur (see also ‘28 Delicious Amaretto Cocktails‘), and a sprinkling of almonds as a garnish, make this a delicious, slightly nutty-flavored drink, that is perfect for an after-dinner treat. 

8. Hazy Sunset

This cocktail isn’t for the faint of heart, as it uses two types of rums (see also ‘23 Classic Rum Cocktails For The Summer‘) instead of just one! This also means it changes flavor over time. 

Smoked ice is what gives this drink its smoky appeal, and the drink itself consists of your two rums, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and some bitters! 

Perfect for sipping while on a beach, reading your favorite book!

9. Campfire Cocktail

The name says it all! Enjoy a bonfire night, or recreate one in your own living room with this campfire cocktail! 

The smoky flavor comes from the bourbon and whiskey, but a special surprise lies in this cocktail, as it contains marshmallow syrup! 

This is the perfect sweet treat for a winter’s night, and if you’d like some extra smokiness, you can toast some marshmallows and use them as a garnish. 

10. Smoked Whiskey Cocktail

This smoked whiskey cocktail is perfectly easy to make at home. For the smoky effect, all you need to do is light a few cinnamon sticks and place your chosen glass over them. 

The cinnamon sticks will create a sweet, smoky flavor that complements the whiskey in the cocktail perfectly. 

You’ll also be using some fig spread in the cocktail, for some extra added sweetness. 

11. Smoked Manhattan

Another classic cocktail for whiskey lovers is the Manhattan. These are normally made with rye whiskey and sweet vermouth for added sweetness.  

This is another recipe that doesn’t involve a smoke gun, meaning you can do it yourself from your own kitchen (although caution is advised). 

All you need to do is grab some smoking chips and ignite them with a kitchen torch over a small plate. You can also add some citrus peel or your favorite herbs for some more aromas. 

Then, place the cocktail glass you’re going to use over the fire, and let the smoke trap beneath this while you put together the rest of the cocktail. 

When the cocktail is ready, quickly turn the glass over, and pour your drink inside. The smoky aromas will infuse the cocktail, leading to a delicious drink that you’ll be craving from this point on. 

12. Spicy Smoked Old Fashioned

Here we have another variation of the old-fashioned, but with extra smoke and a hint of heat in the bitters. 

This recipe uses Hella bitters smoked chili bitters, giving it some extra spice and heat, that really complement the bourbon well. 

In order to smoke the glass, as some previous recipes have done, you are to light a cinnamon stick on fire and cover it with your chosen cocktail glass, until your drink is ready to be poured in. 

It is also recommended to pour your cocktail over a large cube of ice.

This is because, as the ice slowly melts, the cocktail will become sweeter, and all the other flavors that have been fused together will open up. 

13. Smoked Pineapple And Sage Cocktail

This moreish cocktail is delicious, with a perfectly sweet and savory combination. 

It uses smoked pineapple, rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, and sage, in order to create a wonderful flavor.

The pineapple and sage are muddled together in order for the flavors to get to know each other. 

The rest of the cocktail is poured over this mixture, and as you drink it the flavors will fuse together, even more, creating a truly delicious drink, that is perfect for the summer! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Point Of A Smoked Cocktail? 

Smoking a cocktail gives the drinker a different experience, as the aromas that are given off are very enticing. They also add an interesting visual element to the drink, which some people enjoy. 

How Long Should You Smoke A Cocktail? 

If you are leaving your cocktail glass to smoke, you should leave it over the flame for around 2 minutes, or however long it takes you to make the rest of the cocktail. 

Can You Use Dry Ice In Cocktails? 

You can use dry ice in your cocktail, and it will not change the flavor. However, you should be cautious not to inhale it. 

Final Thoughts 

To conclude, smoked cocktails are fun to drink, look at, and make! They are perfect for whiskey lovers, as that is the best alcohol to use. 

We hope you enjoyed learning about how you can make these at home!