Smoke On The Blvd Recipe

Chill glass

Place the rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Prepare smoking setup

If using a smoking gun: load cherry wood chips into the gun's chamber. If using a torch: place a small pile (about 1 tablespoon) of cherry wood chips on a piece of foil or in a heatproof dish that fits under your cloche or inverted mixing glass. Have the cloche or lid ready to trap smoke.

Combine spirits

In a mixing glass, add 2 oz Bulleit Rye, 0.5 oz Aperol, 0.5 oz Amaro Averna, and 0.75 oz sweet vermouth.

Add ice and stir

Add large ice (2 large cubes or one large sphere) to the mixing glass. Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30–45 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted (the outside of the glass will feel cold and slightly wet).

Smoke the glass (preferred method with smoking gun)

Remove the chilled rocks glass from the freezer. Place it upside down over the smoking gun nozzle or set the glass upright and cover with a cloche. Ignite the smoking gun and fill the glass with cherry wood smoke. Once filled, quickly invert the glass (if upright) or seal with a coaster to trap the smoke and let it sit for 20–30 seconds to absorb the aroma.

Smoke the cocktail (alternative direct smoke)

Alternatively, after stirring, transfer the cocktail into a small smoke-safe container, introduce smoke with the gun, seal briefly (10–20 seconds), then pour into the chilled rocks glass. If using torch/foil method: ignite chips to produce smoldering smoke, cover with cloche and capture smoke for 20–30 seconds, then place glass over smoke pocket to infuse.

Strain into smoked glass

Remove the glass from the smoke trap, quickly double-strain the stirred cocktail into the smoked chilled rocks glass over a single large ice cube (or keep the large cube used while stirring and transfer it into the glass).

Express and garnish

Take an orange peel, express the oils by holding it over the drink and giving it a sharp twist, then rub the rim with the peel and drop it into the glass as a garnish. If desired, briefly wave the peel over the glass to add a minute brightness.

Serve immediately while the smoke aroma is still present. Advise the drinker to inhale slightly above the glass before sipping to experience the smoked cherry-wood aroma followed by the rye-forward bittersweet flavors.