How to Make a DAMN GOOD Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned

Smoked rosemary and Irish whiskey are a match made in heaven. This twist on the classic old-fashioned is sure to please any whiskey lover.

smoked rosemary old fashioned sitting on whiskey book

Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned: a modern twist on an old classic cocktail. This drink is simple to make but packs a punch. All you need is Irish whiskey, honey syrup, bitters, smoked rosemary, and an orange peel twist. Follow these easy steps and you'll be sipping on one of the best whiskey cocktails around in no time!

Can’t get enough cocktail recipes? I've got you covered. Try my Cinnamon Whiskey Mule, Irish Buck, Tequila Sour, and Spicy Jalapeño Margarita too!

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Ingredients: What's in a Smoked Rosemary Old-Fashioned

There's nothing quite like an old-fashioned cocktail. And while there are million-and-one variations of this classic drink, one of my favorites is the Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned. I was introduced to this version by a fellow mixologist, Natalie Migliarini of Beautiful Booze, and lemme tell you: it is DAMN GOOD.

So what's in a Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned? The ingredients are pretty simple:

Irish Whiskey
Honey Syrup - the sweet (no sugar cube needed)
Angostura Bitters - the "salt and pepper" of cocktails
Orange Bitters - a little citrus kick
Smoked Fresh Rosemary - depth and flavor
Orange Peel - garnish because you are fancy

smoke coming from whiskey cocktail in glass sitting on black book

How to Smoke a Cocktail Glass for an Old-Fashioned Drink

There's nothing quite like a well-made cocktail, especially when it has a smoky flavor to it. And the easiest way to infuse your drinks with that smoky essence is to smoke the glassware. It sounds complicated, but it's actually quite fun and simple. All you need is a piece of rosemary, a culinary torch, a hardy piece of wood, and a cocktail glass.

Here's How to Smoke a Cocktail Glass:

Cut the rosemary into small pieces and place them on the wood.
Take the culinary torch and light the rosemary on fire. Allow the flames to die down until you're left with smoldering rosemary.
Place the double old-fashioned glass upside down on top of the rosemary.
Set aside and prepare your cocktail.
Once prepared, lift the glass, add your cocktail and enjoy your smoked old fashioned!

flames from culinary torch smoking rosemary herb on wood plank

Tools You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

Here are a few essential tools you’ll need to make this Smoked Old Fashioned Recipe

A culinary torch to smoke and infuse the glass. Oh, and don't forget the butane fuel too!

Crystal cocktail mixing glass to gently mix the drink without bruising the whiskey.
A 2-sided Jigger to measure the perfect amount of alcohol every time.
A Hawthorne cocktail strainer is an essential tool for any home bartender.
This set of 6 crystal double old-fashioned glasses are just the right size and style for sipping your Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned.
This lovely 3-piece glass bitters set is a fantastic way to display your orange and angostura bitters, as well as other aromatized spirits, on your home bar cart.
A garnish/vegetable peeler is the best way to get the perfect orange peel garnish for your smoked old-fashioned.

fresh rosemary spilling from glass on wooden table in front of cocktail in glass sitting on black book

Thank You

The Irish smoked old-fashioned is easily becoming one of my favorite cocktails. It's simple to make but that Irish whisky makes sure it packs a punch. I love the smoky flavor from the smoked rosemary and the orange peel twist gives it a nice citrusy kick. So, next time you’re looking for something to celebrate (or just want to enjoy a good drink), pull out your favorite bottle of Irish whiskey and give this recipe a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Have you made this DAMN GOOD smoked cocktail? Share your photos with me on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #DAMNGOODcocktails and tagging me @ThisIsMelDrake so I can see how yours turned out!

Please let me know how you liked the recipe in the comments section below, and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

Sláinte! - Cheers!

-XOXO (as always)

Mel D.

Photography by Melissa "Mel" Drake

“Now let’s get to mixing, so we can get to sipping!”

— Mel Drake

irish whiskey smoked rosemary cocktail in old fashioned glass rosemary and orange peel garnish sitting on black book

A Few More Cocktail Recipes

If you liked this Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail, then you'll love these recipes too!

irish whiskey, whiskey, old fashioned

cocktail

Yield: 1

Author: Mel Drake

Smoked Rosemary Irish Old-Fashioned

This old-fashioned cocktail is kicked up a notch with the addition of smoked rosemary. The rosemary smoke adds a nice herbal flavor to the drink, while the Irish whiskey and bitters provide a nice balance. This is a DAMN GOOD cocktail and perfect for sipping day or night.

Prep time: 7 MinCook time: 3 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

2 ounces Irish Whisky
1/2 ounce Monin Honey Syrup (by Monin)
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
2 Dashes of Orange Bitters
2-3 Rosemary Sprigs
1 Orange Peel Twist (garnish)

Instructions

Smoke the Rosemary

Cut the rosemary into small pieces and place them on a wood cutting board or heat-safe surface. Take the culinary torch and light the rosemary on fire. Allow the flames to die down until you're left with smoldering rosemary. Place the cocktail glass upside down on top of the rosemary and let the smoke infuse the glass while preparing your cocktail.

Mix and Serve

In a mixing glass, add the Irish whiskey, honey syrup, Angostura aromatic bitters, and orange bitters. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes and stir gently to not bruise the Irish whiskey.
Strain into the prepared smoked double old-fashioned glass over a large whiskey ice cube. Express the zest of the orange peel over the cocktail and then garnish with the peel and a spring of rosemary. Serve and enjoy!