Smoked Chocolate Orange Manhattan
Dark citrus. Velvet cacao. A quiet curl of smoke.
Some cocktails are indulgent. Others are composed. This is both.
A bourbon and rye lay the foundation that is warm, spiced, and familiar. Vermouth brings depth. Chocolate softens the edges. Orange lifts it all just enough.
Then comes the smoke - subtle and deliberate - drawing the chocolate deeper and rounding the citrus into something richer, darker, more complete.
Cocktail Ingredients
- 40 ml Bourbon whiskey
- 10 ml Straight rye whiskey (50% ABV if you have it)
- 25 ml Rosso Vermouth
- 10 ml Orange liqueur (e.g. Grand Marnier)
- 2.5 ml Brown Crème de Cacao
- 8 drops Chocolate bitters
- Orange zest (expressed & discarded)
- Chocolate orange segment (for garnish)
- Cherry wood chips
Cocktail Method
Prepare:
- Chill a coupe glass until properly cold.
- Place your Sixpence Alchemy smoker / infuser on the empty glass.
- Ignite cherry wood and allow the glass to fill with smoke for 30 seconds.
- Remove the smoker and allow the smoke to settle inside.
Make:
- Add liquids to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until smooth, chilled, and well-integrated.
- Strain into the smoked glass.
Finish:
- Express orange zest over the surface and discard.
- Garnish with a chocolate orange segment on the rim.
The Experience
On the nose: dark chocolate and orange oil wrapped in soft wood smoke.
On the palate: layered whiskey, bittersweet cacao, and rich citrus.
The finish lingers long, smooth, and quietly decadent. A familiar classic, drawn deeper into shadow.
The finish lingers long, smooth, and quietly decadent. A familiar classic, drawn deeper into shadow.
