Vocazione Recipe

Make syrup

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches a gentle simmer.

Add 1 tablespoon of smoky pipe tobacco to the simmering syrup, reduce heat to low, and steep for 5 minutes. Do not boil aggressively; maintain a low simmer so the tobacco infuses without extracting harsh bitterness.

Remove the pan from heat and let the tobacco steep for an additional 10 minutes off the heat for a balanced, smoky-tobacco aroma.

Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a paper filter into a clean jar to remove all solids. Cool to room temperature before using. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.

Prepare glass

If using aromatic smoke: place a small pinch (about 1/4 tsp) of tobacco or wood chips into a smoking cloche or a small heatproof vessel. Light briefly and invert the serving rocks glass over the smoke to capture it, or use a smoking gun to fill the glass. Set the smoked glass aside briefly so smoke lingers. Alternatively, simply chill the serving glass.

Build the drink

Add large ice cube(s) to a mixing glass or directly into the smoked rocks glass. Pour 2 oz Zacapa Solera rum, 0.5 oz additional aged dark rum (if using for depth), 0.5 oz coffee or cacao liqueur, 0.25 oz orange liqueur, 0.5 oz tobacco-infused simple syrup, and 2 dashes cacao/chocolate bitters into the mixing glass.

Stir

Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 30–40 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted (about 20–25% dilution is typical for spirit-forward stirred drinks). If assembled in the serving glass with ice, stir carefully to chill and integrate ingredients.

Strain & finish

If you mixed in a separate mixing glass, strain the cocktail over the large ice cube in the prepared smoked rocks glass. Express the oils of one large orange peel over the cocktail by holding the peel skin-side down over the drink and giving it a firm squeeze; then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass as garnish.

Optional: for a final aromatic flourish, briefly flame the expressed orange peel over the drink (carefully compressing oils through a flame) or reintroduce a brief wisp of tobacco smoke using your smoking tool so the glass captures the scent of tobacco, cacao and orange.

Serve immediately and advise guests to inhale the aromatic top notes before sipping to experience the tobacco, cacao and orange interplay with the rich Zacapa rum.