Whistle Pig Old Fashioned Recipe

Chill glass

Place an Old Fashioned/rocks glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to chill the glass.

Prepare demerara syrup (if not ready)

To make quick demerara syrup, combine 2 parts demerara sugar and 1 part water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, remove from heat and cool. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Use 0.5 oz for this cocktail.

Build the cocktail

In a mixing glass, add 0.5 oz demerara syrup, 2 dashes aromatic bitters, 1 dash orange bitters and 2 oz WhistlePig Rye. Fill the mixing glass with ice.

Stir

Stir the mixture briskly but smoothly for 30–45 seconds (about 20–30 full rotations) until the cocktail is well-chilled and slightly diluted (target temperature about 0–4°C).

Prepare glass & ice

Discard the chilling ice/water from the chilled rocks glass. Place one large clear ice cube in the glass.

Strain

Strain the stirred cocktail over the large ice cube in the chilled glass using a julep or Hawthorne strainer.

Express orange oils

Hold an orange peel (skin side down) about 4–6 inches above the glass and give it a firm twist to express the oils over the surface of the drink. Optionally run the peel around the rim for extra aroma, then drop it into the drink as garnish. Add a Luxardo/brandied cherry if desired.

Light the chips

Place a small pinch of wood chips on a heatproof surface (or in the bowl of a smoking gun). Ignite the chips with a lighter until they begin to smolder and produce smoke.

Capture smoke

If using a cloche or large glass dome: quickly invert the dome over the smoldering chips to trap the smoke for 10–20 seconds, then lift and position the dome over the cocktail glass and invert it to cover the glass, capturing the smoke over the cocktail. If using a smoking gun, direct the hose into the glass and fill with smoke for 10–15 seconds.

Infuse

Let the cocktail sit under the cloche or with smoke inside for 10–30 seconds depending on desired intensity. For a lighter smoke flavor start with 5–10 seconds; for a more overt smoke 20–30 seconds.

Serve

Remove the cloche or release the smoke, and serve immediately. Present the cocktail with a faint smoke aroma. Note: inform guests the cocktail is smoked.