This year has been called many things, but I think “Dumpster Fire” is probably the most used (and maybe the most accurate). When thinking about a cocktail to enjoy through the holidays and the end of the year, burning something just seemed appropriate. My Smoke + Rye cocktail is just what we need to finish the year strong. It is smoky, herby, and a little sweet. It will warm you up in all the right ways!
A few notes for when you make a Smoke + Rye cocktail. First, the Rosemary Simple Syrup makes a lot. You can make lots of fun cocktails with it! Add it to your teas or Old Fashioneds and you will make everything fancier!. Second, Be super careful when burning the rosemary. If it is super green and fresh, it won’t burn like a candle. You just want to get it smoking. Make sure you lay it on a heat-safe surface to infuse your glass. I used my glass cooktop and it worked great! If you aren’t sure you have a heat-safe surface, you could use a baking sheet! Third, I used tonic as my splash of something bubbly because #usewhatyougot ya know? But club soda, sparkling water, or ginger ale would be good too! If you use something sweet like ginger ale though, you may not need as much simple syrup.
Now, go burn some rosemary and win your Zoom Holiday Cocktail Party! Cheers!
Smoke + Rye
Equipment
- Lighter
- Cocktail shaker
- Glass cocktail tumbler
Ingredients
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1 bunch or clamshell of fresh rosemary reserve 2 sprigs for smoking and garnishing
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
Smoke + Rye
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 shot of rye whiskey
- 1/2 shot lemon juice
- 1/2 shot Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Ice or shaker and glass
- Splash of something bubbly Tonic, club soda, ginger ale
Instructions
Make the Rosemary Syrup:
- In a small saucepan add water, sugar, and rosemary (reserve 2 sprigs for the cocktail).
- Bring to a boil, stirring until all the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and let the rosemary steep in the syrup.
- Once it is cool, remove the rosemary and strain it into a jar. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Make your cocktail:
- Carefully using a lighter, light a sprig of rosemary on fire. It probably won’t fully catch, depending on its freshness, but you want to get it to start smoking.
- Set the smoky rosemary on a heat-safe surface, like your stovetop, and quickly cover it with your cocktail glass. Let it sit and infuse with smoke while you make your cocktail.
- In a cocktail shaker add a handful of ice, rye whiskey, lemon juice, and rosemary simple syrup. Shake until the outside of the shaker starts to have some condensation.
- Flip your smoke-infused glass over and add ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice.
- Top the drink with a splash of something bubbly. I prefer my drinks less sweet so I used tonic water, but club soda or ginger ale would be tasty too!
- Garnish with another sprig of rosemary and enjoy!
Find more delicious cocktail recipes HERE!
