The smoked old fashioned is living proof that the classics stick around for a reason. This cocktail has been around since the 19th century, and somehow it keeps finding new ways to be relevant. Bars are leaning into the smoky side of things now, and the result feels both familiar and genuinely new. I’d call it a glow-up, but it’s really more of a slow burn.
The original old fashioned was straightforward: spirits, sugar, bitters. Patrons in the 1800s would order their drink “the old-fashioned way,” pushing back against the fancier, fruit-laden versions that were creeping onto menus. That simplicity is exactly why it survived. Add smoke to the equation and you’ve got something that hits differently.
History of the Old Fashioned
A recipe from 1880 lists the old fashioned specifically as whiskey, bitters, water, and sugar. It gained real momentum in the 1930s, wrapped up in speakeasy culture, and became the drink you ordered when you wanted to signal that you had taste. Gentlemen’s clubs and fine dining rooms claimed it as their own. The core ingredients barely shifted across a century.
By the 2000s, the craft cocktail movement pulled it back into the spotlight. Bartenders started treating it as a canvas. And when smoking techniques started showing up behind the bar, the smoked old fashioned emerged as its own thing: the whiskey’s richness deepened, the flavor got more layered, and suddenly everyone wanted one.
Smoking Techniques
When I set this up at home for the first time, I was surprised by how much the method matters. There are three main approaches:
1. Smoking Gun: Wood chips feed into a small handheld device that pumps smoke directly into the glass. A few seconds is usually enough.
2. Glass Dome Infusion: A dome traps wood smoke around the cocktail and seals it for a minute or two, letting the drink absorb gradually.
3. Direct Flame: The bartender passes the glass over burning wood. Fast, dramatic, and the smokiest result of the three.
The smoking gun wins on consistency. It gives you real control over intensity, which matters when you’re making the same drink ten times a night. The flame method looks great tableside, but it’s harder to replicate.
Best Wood Types for Smoking
Not every wood belongs near a cocktail. The wrong choice can make a perfectly good bourbon taste like a campfire went wrong.
– Hickory: Bold and rich, pairs well with high-proof bourbon. Not subtle.
– Cherry: Mildly sweet, gentler smoke. Good with lighter whiskeys.
– Applewood: Subtle sweetness, low smoke presence. My go-to for someone new to smoked cocktails.
– Oak: Neutral and classic, works with almost any whiskey profile without taking over.
The general rule is to match intensity: a big, assertive bourbon can handle hickory, but a softer spirit gets lost under it. You want the wood to support what’s in the glass, not compete with it.
Cost of a Smoked Old Fashioned
At most bars, expect to pay somewhere between $12 and $18. Upscale spots or places using premium single-barrel pours can push that to $20 or beyond, and honestly I’ve seen higher in certain cities. Whether it’s worth it depends on the quality of the smoke and the whiskey underneath.
Home setups are an option if you’re serious about it. A decent smoking gun runs $40 to $80, and wood chip variety packs add another $15 to $20. The full kit probably costs $50 to $200 depending on how far you go. I’ll admit I wasn’t sure it was worth the investment at first, but after a few rounds it clicked.
Top Bars for Smoked Cocktails
Some places have made the smoked old fashioned a signature rather than a side note:
1. The Aviary (Chicago, IL): Known for theatrical presentation, their smoked old fashioned is a proper event.
2. Employees Only (New York, NY): Skilled, precise, and not trying to impress you with gimmicks.
3. The Bonfire Lounge (Denver, CO): Specializes in wood-smoked cocktails specifically, and it shows.
4. Death & Company (New York, NY): Their menu is deep, but the smoked old fashioned holds its own against everything else on it.
5. The Dead Rabbit (New York, NY): Rich, smoky, and balanced. A good benchmark for what this drink can be.
Each has its own interpretation, and tasting the difference is half the fun.
2023 Cocktail Trends
The bigger trend in 2023 was sustainability: locally sourced spirits, seasonal garnishes, reduced waste behind the bar. Berries, fresh herbs, and unusual spices started showing up in places they hadn’t before. Non-alcoholic options also got serious attention, with mocktail programs that actually required skill to build.
The smoked old fashioned fits neatly into this moment. Bartenders are pairing different woods with different whiskey profiles, trying regional ingredients alongside the smoke, and generally treating the drink as something worth experimenting with rather than just repeating.
Worth Trying
The smoked old fashioned isn’t a novelty anymore. It’s settled into the menu as a legitimate interpretation of a classic, and the best versions show real craft in how the smoke is chosen and applied. If you haven’t had one made well, find a bar that takes it seriously and start there. You’ll notice the difference immediately.
FAQs
What is a smoked old fashioned?
A classic old fashioned with wood smoke added, usually from a smoking gun or dome. The smoke deepens the whiskey’s flavor and adds complexity.
How do you make a smoked old fashioned?
Mix bourbon, sugar, and bitters, then infuse with wood smoke using a smoking gun. Garnish with an orange twist and serve over a large ice cube.
Why use wood for smoking cocktails?
Different woods add distinct flavors that complement the spirit. Cherry runs sweet, hickory runs bold, and oak stays neutral.
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