Cocktail Smoking - The Origins, Trends, and Interesting Facts
Cocktail smoking has become increasingly popular in recent years, adding a unique and flavourful twist to traditional cocktails. This technique involves infusing smoke into a cocktail, which adds a smoky aroma and flavour that elevates the overall drinking experience. In this blog we'll explore the origins of cocktail smoking, current trends, and some interesting facts about this fascinating trend.
When did Cocktail Smoking Begin
The history of cocktail smoking can be traced back to the early days of mixology, where bartenders would use different methods to add smoky flavours to their drinks. One of the earliest known methods was to use a smoking gun, which allowed bartenders to infuse cocktails with smoke from different types of wood.
The trend really took off in the 2000s, when a number of bartenders began experimenting with smoke infusions, combining different types of wood with herbs and spices to create unique and complex flavour profiles. Today, cocktail smoking has become a mainstay in the world of mixology, with bars all over the world offering smoked cocktails on their menus.
Current Trends
As cocktail smoking continues to gain popularity, bartenders are constantly experimenting with new ways to incorporate smoke into their drinks. Some bartenders use traditional smoking guns, while others use different types of wood chips, tea leaves, or even herbs and spices to create a unique smoky flavour.
One current trend in cocktail smoking is to combine smoke with other trendy ingredients, such as mezcal, a smoky-flavoured tequila that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Another trend is to use smoke to enhance the flavour of classic cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned or Negroni.
Cocktail Smoking
More recently bartenders and home mixologists alike are using wooden smoke tops for smoking cocktails. While the more traditional style smoke infuser is an excellent product for smoking cocktails, the wooden smoke top style cocktail smoker has more visual appeal.
Interesting Facts
While cocktail smoking has become increasingly popular in recent years, the technique has actually been used in cooking for centuries. Smoking food was originally used as a method of preservation, as it helped to prevent spoilage and preserve the flavour of the food.
The first known smoking gun was invented by French chef Jean-Pierre Fumagalli in the 1980s. The device was originally designed for smoking fish, but it wasn't long before bartenders began using it to smoke cocktails.
Some of the most popular woods for smoking cocktails include applewood, hickory, mesquite, and cherry. Each wood imparts a unique flavour to the cocktail, and bartenders often experiment with different combinations to create unique and complex flavours.
Smoking a cocktail not only adds flavour, but it also adds an element of visual interest. Watching the smoke swirl around in a glass can be a mesmerizing and captivating experience that adds to the overall enjoyment of the drink.
In conclusion, cocktail smoking is a trend that has taken the world of mixology by storm. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a popular trend, cocktail smoking has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Whether you're a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or a curious beginner, adding a smoky twist to your favourite drink is a fun and easy way to elevate your drinking experience.
