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Flavorful Smoked Old Fashioned Recipe with Zesty Orange Peel

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A smoky twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail featuring bourbon, bitters, sugar, and a zesty orange peel, enhanced with a subtle wood smoke infusion for a warm and inviting drink.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz bourbon whiskey (e.g., Buffalo Trace or Maker’s Mark)
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup (optional: maple syrup for richer flavor)
  • 1 large strip of fresh orange peel (about 2 inches)
  • Small handful of wood chips or wood plank (hickory or cherry wood recommended)
  • Large ice cubes or a single ice sphere
  • Optional: Luxardo cherry for garnish
  • Optional: 1 dash orange bitters

Instructions

  1. Place the sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup in an Old Fashioned glass.
  2. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters (and 1 dash orange bitters if using) over the sugar.
  3. Muddle the sugar and bitters together until the sugar dissolves into a paste at the bottom of the glass.
  4. Pour 2 oz bourbon into the glass.
  5. Add one or two large ice cubes or a single ice sphere.
  6. Gently stir for about 20 seconds to chill and integrate flavors.
  7. Use a peeler or paring knife to cut a 2-inch long strip of orange peel with minimal pith.
  8. Hold the orange peel over the glass and briefly light the outside with a kitchen torch or lighter to release the oils, then quickly rim the glass with the peel and drop it in.
  9. Smoke the glass by filling it with wood smoke using a smoking gun or by lighting wood chips inside the glass and covering it with a coaster to trap the smoke for 30-45 seconds.
  10. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Adjust the smoke intensity by varying the time you trap smoke inside the glass. Use thick orange peels for more essential oils and a brighter citrus aroma. Large ice cubes or spheres melt slower to avoid dilution. If you don’t have a smoking gun, light a piece of wood or cinnamon stick and cover the glass to trap smoke safely in a well-ventilated area. Maple syrup can be used instead of sugar for added complexity. Experiment with bitters to personalize flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Old Fashioned, smoked cocktail, bourbon, orange peel, smoky Old Fashioned, classic cocktail, whiskey cocktail, zesty orange, smoky bourbon drink

Find it online: https://lemonydrinks.com/flavorful-smoked-old-fashioned-recipe-with-zesty-orange-peel-easy-guide/