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Home » Cocktail Recipes

Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail

By: Kita · Published Oct 2, 2017 · Updated: Jan 9, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links

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This Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail is a classic, smoky cocktail infused with new sweet and smoky flavors. It’s made with smoked, muddled cherries, smoked cherry simple syrup, Anastoga bitters, and campfire whiskey!

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

While I do like the subtle smoky flavor notes in a traditional Old Fashioned Cocktail, I wanted to capture and enhance that smoky flavor. Inspired, I decided to take that smoke one step further by smoking a pound of fresh, ripe cherries. 

This cherry-flavored Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail is filled with rich, musky flavor. The natural warmth of the whiskey pairs seamlessly with the subtle hint of smoke only softened by the sweetness of seasonal cherries. 

What is an Old Fashioned?

An Old Fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding whiskey. Generally, it is served with a twist of citrus rind in a short tumbler-like glass.

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

How Do You Make Smoked Cocktails at Home?

This Smoked Old Fashioned Recipe was inspired by a smoked cocktail I had in a bar in South Dakota, where the bartender smoked the inside of the glass by torching a cedar plank, then capturing the smoke with a liquid-dripped glass for a smooth finish.

Now, although I’m not doing that to achieve the smoky flavor in this cocktail, there are a couple of things I’m doing to make this drink nice and smoky!

First, smoking the cherries. The smoked cherries and the smoked cherry simple syrup add sweetness and smokiness.

Second, using campfire whiskey. The already smoky flavors of whiskey are accentuated by the smoky flavors of a “campfire”!

Ingredients Needed:

Smoked Cherry Simple Syrup

  • Alder Wood Chips - smoking the cherries with wood chips gives them more smoky flavor.
  • Fresh Cherries - ripe, dark, and sweet fresh cherries are the perfect complement to the smoky flavors. 
  • Sugar and Water - dissolved together to form the base for the simple syrup.

For the Cocktails

  • Smoked Cherries - you’ll muddle smoke cherries in the bottom of the serving glass.
  • Cherry Simple Syrup - your homemade smoked cherry simple syrup is the perfect sweetener. Add as much or as little as you like.
  • Booze - a combination of Anastoga Bitters and campfire whiskey is the perfect combination for this Smoked Old Fashioned Cocktail.

How to Make this Smoked Old Fashioned Recipe

First, smoke 1 pound of fresh cherries in a wood smoker with Alder wood chips for 45 minutes to an hour.  

In a saucepan over low heat, dissolve sugar in water until smooth. Add in ½ cup of smoked cherries and marinate overnight in an airtight container. Strain the syrup, and keep the cherries.

To make your Smoked Old Fashioned, add a spoonful of smoked cherries to the bottom of your serving glass. Muddle, then add ice, cherry simple syrup, bitters, and whiskey. 

Serve with an orange peel or additional smoked cherries.

Can I Use Another Alchohol?

As I always say, the sky is the limit! BUT, I do highly recommend that you try the recipes as-is before swapping ingredients. You will not regret having this smoking gun of a cocktail in all of its original glory.

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

Tips and Notes

  • Don’t forget the wood chips! The Alder wood chips are the key to making those cherries nice and smoky.
  • Marinate the cherries overnight. Let the smoked cherries sit in the sugar/water mixture overnight for the best flavor. 
  • Aside from your key ingredients, you’ll need a wood smoker, heat proof gloves or tongs for removing the cherries, something for the cherries to be put on in the smoker, a glass, and large ice cubes. 
  • Swap out the classic bitters for homemade black walnut bitters for an even deeper unique taste.

More Sultry Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love

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  • Super Easy Rum Runner Recipe

If you've tried my Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail recipe or any other recipe on passthesushi.com please don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also follow along for more good eats and travel tips on Instagram @passthesushi & @girlcarnivore, Twitter & Facebook.

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail | Kita Roberts PassTheSushi.com

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail

Sip slow and enjoy this smokey mature classic cocktail, infused with savory new flavors. The Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned is a gentlemen's cocktail, in a woman's world.
4.77 from 34 votes
Print Pin Rate
American
Author: Kita Roberts
1 hr 2 mins
Serves: 12 cocktails

Equipment

  • Rock Style Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses 11 Ounce
  • Western Premium BBQ Products Alder BBQ Smoking Chips, 180 cu in
  • Cuisinart 719-16 Chef's Classic Stainless Saucepan with Cover, 1 ½ Quart

Ingredients

For the Smoked Cherry Simple Syrup:

  • Alder wood chips
  • Fresh Cherries
  • Sugar
  • Water

For The Cocktail

  • 3 Smoked Cherries
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Cherry Simple Syrup
  • Splash Anastoga Bitters
  • 2 oz Campfire Whiskey

Instructions

To Make the Smoked Cherry Simple Syrup:

  • Smoke 1lb of fresh cherries in a wood smoker with Alder wood chips for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until dark and soft. Remove carefully and allow to cool before proceeding.
  • Make the smoked cherry simple syrup by dissolving ½ cup of sugar in ½ cup of water in a small sauce pan over low heat. Add ½ cup of the smoked cherries to the syrup and allow to sit overnight in an airtight container. Strain and discard the cherries.

To Make the Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail:

  • Add a spoonful of smoked cherries to the bottom of the glass, muddle. Add ice, smoked cherry simple syrup, bitters and whiskey. Serve with an orange peel or smoked cherry for garnish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 936kcal | Carbohydrates: 176g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 161mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 160g

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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smoked cherry old fashioned cocktail in glass with cherry and wood chips surrounding it

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Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

    October 11, 2017 at 12:11 am

    Looks great! If this cocktail is good enough for Donald Draper then it will suit me just fine!!

    Reply
  2. Christina says

    October 11, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    First of all, your photography is stunning. I adore the pics in this post.
    Second, the recipe sounds amazing! I've never smoked cherries before, but I will now!
    Amazing job 🙂

    Reply
  3. Megan @ Megunprocessed says

    October 12, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    Beautiful shot!

    Reply
  4. Phoebe Hendricks says

    October 13, 2017 at 11:34 am

    Your shots are beautiful! Sounds delicious!

    Reply
  5. Carolyn Ingram says

    October 13, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    This looks delicious! The photos are incredible!

    Reply
  6. Mike says

    June 30, 2019 at 7:13 am

    At what temp do you run the smoker?

    Reply
    • Kita says

      July 12, 2019 at 4:46 pm

      Hey Mike, I run my smoker at 200 - 225. Cheers,

      Reply
  7. Heather says

    August 12, 2019 at 6:54 pm

    How long would you say the cherries and simple last in the fridge?

    Reply
    • Kita says

      August 15, 2019 at 11:04 am

      Hey Hey Heather, I use up the cherries in 1 to 2 days (they are great in BBQ sauce too), but the simple syrup can last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
      Cheers,

      Reply
  8. Carm says

    November 26, 2020 at 12:50 am

    Do you take the pit out before you smoke the cherries?

    Reply
    • Kita says

      November 26, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      Hey Carm, Yes, it's best to take the pits out now so you arent picking through them later.

      Reply
  9. Beth says

    March 28, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    I think we were just at this same bar in South Dakota...fabulous drink and friendly bartender!

    Reply
    • Kita says

      June 04, 2021 at 10:22 am

      Rock out!!

      Reply
  10. Dianne Widowski says

    July 12, 2021 at 10:39 am

    This sounds wonderful!! I just smoked cherries last night in some Bullet Bourbon. Like the idea of the simple syrup though! Cheers!

    Reply
  11. Micah says

    December 27, 2021 at 12:25 am

    Sorry for the late post, years later, but just found this article.
    I'm new to this whole craft drink thing but I've recently learned Anastoga isn't the only bitters to be had. I feel this recipe would lend itself to something like woodford reserve's smoked cherry bitters or perhaps, Peychaud's bitters which, to me, have a lovely bitter cherry-vanilla bite.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kita! The mountain biking, travel junkie, professional freelance photographer, and creator behind the scenes.

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