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Bartending is a skill that only a beverage connoisseur can appreciate. A skilled bartender can dilute two different liquids, infuse them with flavours, and create magic in a glass. If a person does not understand what kind of beverages can be combined and how to elevate the flavours of alcohol, bibulous would have a hard time.
While there are a few things you can learn through the magic of sight, there are a couple of secrets that no bartender will ever share with you. They smoke your cocktails to boost the notes so that they appeal to your eyes, nose, and taste buds. Here is how you can do it too and master the art of bartending.
Use Different Methods
It might come as a shock to you but smoking is done using various techniques. One way is to turn an empty glass upside down to trap the smoke from the burnt wood chips or herbs. You can use a smoking gun to infuse the beverage with different flavours, however, make sure not to subject the ingredients to vapours for more than 30-60 seconds. The third way is to freeze smoked water and use the ice cubes to chill your drink.
Pick The Smoke According To Spirit
Not every spirit can be smoked to boost notes. Cocktail recipes also decide what flavours of vapours they can or should be infused with. For example, if you are making whisky sour, you can smoke it with cinnamon or burnt wood to add depth. Similarly, tequila, bourbon, gin, and rum-based beverages can also be infused with smoke of wood and whole spices to amplify the drinking experience.
Garnishing Is Crucial
For extra flair and a finishing touch, you must not forget to garnish the cocktails. Torched herbs or burnt citrus peels are a perfect addition on the top of smoked cocktails. Peels release aromatic oil and herbs elevate the scent. If you add flaming absinthe rinse, it will add to the smokiness and improve the notes. A charred cinnamon stick is the right garnish for spicy and warm drinks.
Choose Right Wood
Smoking a cocktail requires careful consideration of the wood and herbs that you pick. Wrong selection can ruin the drinking experience. For example, rum and bourbon-based drinks are hard. You can infuse them with the mild and fruity vapours of cherrywood. Whisky beverages can be smoked with the fumes of oak for robustness. Other options include applewood, hickory, dried herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary, and aromatics like cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves.
Balance The Intensity Of Smoke
One thing you have to keep in mind while smoking cocktails is the intensity. Too much vapourising can ruin the experience by overpowering the nose of liquids. If your drink is already bursting with flavours, expose it for a shorter period of 10-30 seconds only. However, if the beverage is hard, you can subject it to smoke for a longer time, say 30-60 seconds. Oversmoking can turn your refreshing drink into a bitter liquid.
