Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

What You’ll Love About Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

---

• Smoked cocktails are so fun to make and are always impressive!
• The kiss of cinnamon smoke really transforms this classic Old Fashioned cocktail into something special!
• It’s an easy cocktail that requires very little prep.

Ingredients

• Whiskey – Use a good-quality bourbon or rye whiskey. Since whiskey is the star of an old fashioned, quality matters—cheap whiskey tastes harsh. Bourbon is sweeter; rye is spicier.
• Simple syrup – Equal parts sugar and water, dissolved. Start with less and adjust—an old fashioned should be spirit-forward, not sweet.
• Angostura bitters – Just a few dashes. Don’t skip them—bitters are what make an old fashioned an old fashioned, balancing the sweetness and adding complexity.
• Ice cube – Use one large ice cube or sphere. Large ice melts slower, so it chills the drink without watering it down like small cubes would.
• Cinnamon sticks for smoking – Use whole cinnamon sticks, not ground. Light the end and let it smolder under a glass to capture the smoke. Ground cinnamon won’t smoke properly.
• Maraschino cherry – Pat the cherry dry so it doesn’t dilute the drink. For an orange twist, express the peel over the glass to release the oils before dropping it in.

How to Make Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Ensure your work area is free from fire hazards. You’ll be working with a live flame, so remove anything that could catch on fire. Gather the materials from your smoked cocktail kit and have them nearby. Add the simple syrup and bitters to a rocks glass or old-fashioned glass and stir gently to mix.

Add the whiskey and an ice cube (optional). Put the wooden plate with mesh shavings basket over the top of the glass. Add cinnamon shavings to the mesh basket and ignite it with the torch.

Hold the flame on the shavings until the top of the glass fills with the desired amount of smoke Turn off the torch, and when ready, remove the wooden plate. Garnish with a bit of orange peel and a cherry, and enjoy!

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Choose a high-quality Whiskey to enhance the overall flavor of the cocktail.
• If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, adjust the simple syrup quantity to your liking.
• Experiment with different garnishes to find your favorite flavor combination.

What to Pair With Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

Pairing the right food with your Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned can elevate your dining experience. I love pairing this cocktail with anything for the holidays. From humble leftover turkey quesadillas to more elegant turkey roll roasts, there’s nothing this cocktail doesn’t pair with.