Experience a bold twist on a classic cocktail with this Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned recipe. This sophisticated drink layers smooth bourbon with sweet coffee liquer, rich espresso and classic Old Fashioned bitters—and then smokes it all to create dynamic and complex taste sensation. Perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions, the Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned is a captivating sipper that promises to elevate your cocktail game.
Key Ingredients for the Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned
Let’s break down the ingredients that make up this delicious drink:
- Bourbon: This smooth and sweet spirit forms the foundation of our Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned. Aged in charred oak barrels, bourbon imparts rich flavors of vanilla, caramel, and subtle smokiness, adding depth and warmth to the cocktail. Its robust character perfectly complements the boldness of espresso and the sweetness of coffee liqueur, creating a harmonious and well-balanced drink.
- Coffee Liqueur: Sweet and indulgent, coffee liqueur brings a delightful richness to our Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned. Infused with the essence of coffee beans, this liqueur adds a layer of sweetness and a hint of bitterness, enhancing the espresso’s bold flavor. Its smooth texture and caramel notes meld seamlessly with bourbon, adding complexity and depth to the cocktail. I’m using Mr. Black Spirits in this recipe, but there are many great coffee liqueur options available.
- Espresso: The heart of our Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned, espresso delivers an intense and concentrated coffee flavor that invigorates the drink. Brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans, espresso’s deep, robust profile adds a bold and aromatic kick, balancing the sweetness of the liqueur and the warmth of the bourbon for a truly sophisticated sipper.
- Bitters: A few dashes of bitters bring a touch of aromatic complexity to our Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned. Made from a blend of botanicals, herbs, and spices, bitters add depth and a hint of spice, rounding out the flavors of the cocktail. Their subtle bitterness enhances the richness of the bourbon and espresso, making each sip a perfectly balanced and flavorful experience.
- Smoke: Not necessarily an ingredient, but a key component in the cocktail. I used maple wood for this recipe, but other woods work great. Maple is fairly mild, but also smooth and sweet, which paired well with the overall profile of the drink.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Add large ice cube to Old Fashioned glass and top with bourbon.
Step 2: Add coffee liqueur on top of bourbon.
Step 3: Make a fresh shot of espresso. Before adding to the drink, smoke the espresso by lighting wood chips on fire and covering with the espresso for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: After smoking the espresso, add to the bourbon and coffee liqueur.
Step 5: Add two dashes of Old Fashioned bitters.
Step 6: Stir to combine all ingredients together.
Step 7: Smoke the entire drink using the same process as smoking the espresso.
Step 8: Garnish with an orange slice. Enjoy!
Smoked Espresso Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1.5 oz espresso smoked
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- orange slice optional, to garnish
Instructions
- Add a large ice cube to an Old Fashioned glass and top with bourbon.
- Add coffee liqueor to the glass.
- Make a fresh shot of espresso. Before adding to the drink, smoke the espresso by lighting wood chips on fire and covering espresso with the smoking wood chips for 2-3 minutes.
- Add espresso to glass with the bourbon & coffee liqueor.
- Add 2 dashes of aromatic bitters.
- Stir to mix the drink together.
- Light additional wood chips on fire next to your cocktail and cover cocktail plus smoking wood chips for 2-3 minutes to further smoke the drink.
- Garnish cocktail with an orange slice or peel & enjoy!