Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: We’re Smoking Now

Yes, I’m aware the very first column I wrote for this endeavor was a classic Old Fashioned. However, I don’t count this as a repeat because of one ingredient I’m adding: smoke. I’ve had a few smoked cocktails before, both using real smoke and artificial smoke flavor. Ever since I’ve been intrigued with the idea of doing one at home. Since I have a kitchen torch and some hickory chunks for my grill, you can bet that I used the real thing.  I thought I would need to break down these giant chunks of wood, but I got lucky and found some smaller pieces in the bag, which looked prime for smoking.

Now that I’ve got some smaller hickory pieces, it’s time to light them and smoke the glass.

Hotboxing a rocks glass

Normally, for the old fashioned, you build in the glass. But since it’s currently smoking, I’ll need to build in my mixing glass. Since I used the Waldorf recipe last time, I’ll try one from the PDT Cocktail book and wing it.

2 oz. Wild Turkey Rye Whiskey (I used Bulleit)

1 Demerara sugar cube

2 Dashes Angostura bitters

Muddle, stir with ice, and strain over 1 large ice cube into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

So obviously I didn’t chill the rocks glass per the recipe, and I used an orange vs. a lemon. But, how is it?  Well, it has a very smoky nose (to the surprise of literally nobody). It is a little intense the first couple sips, but not too bad, certainly not like sticking your face in campfire smoke. The smoke does play nicely with the overall flavor. It adds a little more depth especially at the back end.

Unfortunately, the smoke flavor wears off pretty quickly. I think that could be due to two things: the glass itself and the amount of smoke I made. I used a standard rocks glass as I normally would when making an old fashioned. I think a snifter might be better, as it can hold the smoke on the wider portion of the glass longer due to the tapered shape, as opposed to the uniform shape of the rocks glass.

As to the smoke I generated, I didn’t ignite the hickory chips, but they were certainly producing a decent amount of smoke. I’m not sure if I need to heat them up longer. The good thing is the chips are far from spent and can be re-used going forward. Despite the above, the liquid retains a bit of tang from the smoking process throughout the drink, so it doesn’t completely go away.

Being my first foray into smoking drinks, I’m very intrigued and would like to experiment more. I’m thinking this style of drink will be much better suited for the autumn and winter months, as opposed to the summer.

(Banner image found here)

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Sharkbait
Sharkbait has not actually been bitten by a shark, but has told people in bars that he was for free drinks. Married to a Giants fan, he enjoys whisk(e)y, cooking, the Rangers, and the Patriots.
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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I CALL THIS GUY SCOTCHNAUT A BUDDHIST MONK IN THE ’60s BECAUSE THIS MOTHERFUCKER IS ON FIRE!!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I stole that from somebody, but still.

King Hippo

Remember, fire up that ESPN+ subscription, HAWT Bolivia y Brasil action, coming up!

/also available in Portugeuse, if feeling brave

ballsofsteelandfury

Honestly, hotter chicks in the Telemundo commercials.

scotchnaut

Here’s another 1 hit wonder that hit it out of the park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3FzjIIkEg

scotchnaut

One Hit Wonders That Were Amazing Tunes: I’ll submit David and David’s “Welcome to the Boomtown”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3st4AD69-0

scotchnaut

Breaking News: Pat Bowlen just turned in his shoes for the last time. May his ball roll nothing but strikes from this time forward.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

[pours out the ashes of a cashed bowl in his honor]

– Josh Gordon

scotchnaut

Lotta folks talking about the health benefits of drinking one’s own urine but nobody talking about drinking the urine of their retired high school basketball coach. smgdh

theeWeeBabySeamus

LMFAO

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Banner worthy.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Smoking now? Sort of.
I just took a 25mg THC pill. And have a second set for two hours from now. I plan to be completely baked tonight no matter what.

But no combustion tonight.

scotchnaut
Don T

This is forward looking, but is the hassle worth it?

/copies technique for piña colada (crack-infused)

scotchnaut

Correa reminds me of my college days in that she has only the one clean sheet.

King Hippo

yay, #BFIB are on MLBN, so I can watch that on teevee whilst streaming the South American Euros. VIVA!!

Horatio Cornblower

“Well done by Mead!”

Every time I’m well done by mead I wind up explaining to the police that I meant to park my car in that cow.

Horatio Cornblower

Happiness throughout the British Isles with that goal…
comment image

Horatio Cornblower

That Argentine offensive thrust was about as effective as their insistence on calling the Falklands the Malvinas.

scotchnaut

Argentine goalkeeper Correa doesn’t look even remotely Asian.

#falseadvertising

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

My favorite player for England is McManus, but I like Fenster, Hockney, Keaton, and Kent, too.

scotchnaut

English player Mead has a bee in her bonnet today.

scotchnaut

I think The Platters sang about Sharkbait’s experience making this beverage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tK6aQS_H0

Horatio Cornblower

My son is attempting to teach his girlfriend how to ride a skateboard. Stand by for a trip to the Massive Head Trauma Fun Room!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

Horatio Cornblower

THIS ARGENTINE GOALISTA, I CALL HER THE EXOCET MISSILE, AS SHE IS THE ONLY THING STOPPING THE ENGLISH ATTACKS!!!

scotchnaut

TAKE THAT, THATCHER!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Deep cut.

scotchnaut

Argentine goalie is earning every peso.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

To anyone wondering where Request Line is this week, please accept my apologies – !’m sick.

LemonJello

/DJ 300 quietly fumes and composes an email to SkyNet

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Being weird and perverted is no excuse.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Women’s World Cup is the perfect sick day entertainment.

King Hippo

time to watch the Deadwood movie, cocksuckers!

Horatio Cornblower

Look for the Garrett Headlund cameo!

blaxabbath

“The important thing with this smoking operation is that you have fun with it.” – L. Tunsil

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LemonJello

“Smoking drinks? I’m wayyyyyy past that.”

-Josh Gordon, between bong rips

Low Commander of the Super Soldiers

Since I’m a massive fan of smoked beers, I’m quite sure I would love this. Although, I would be worried about burning my Ziggurat down after my third drink… Okay, fine, fifth.

blaxabbath

Bulleit is my preferred rye.

Thought you should know.

Low Commander of the Super Soldiers

Mine too, actually…

Horatio Cornblower

Mine’s bread.

scotchnaut

Favourite community in Westchester County here.