Where there’s smoke, there are cocktails. Or at least that’s how the saying would go if Valley mixologists had their way. Here are five places where you can sip and inhale customcrafted libations.
The Italiano at The Sicilian Butcher is literally smokin’.
Peak Elevation
The Canyon Lounge at Canyon Suites serves the smoky 2704’ ($20), named after the elevation of Camelback Mountain. The cocktail is made with the Phoenician Private Select Woodford Reserve, Domaine de Canton, honey, lemon juice and lemon bitter. The cocktail is shaken with ice until chilled, then smoked in a glass dome of smoldering oak to balance the flavors of honey, lemon and ginger, and enhance the bourbon’s flavors. The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.941.8200
Cinnamon Swirl
UnderTow’s Smoking Cannon ($13) incorporates bourbon, Aged Barbadian Rum, French amer, amontillado sherry, pineapple and AZ Bitters Lab Mi Casa Bitters. The cocktail is then smoked with cinnamon smoke to add a touch of spice and theatrics. The entire drink is finished with orange oils. 3620 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.753.6504
Wood Notes
To create The Italiano ($10) at The Sicilian Butcher, a bartender uses a blowtorch on an American oak plank and then places the glass over the wood to capture the same notes in the bourbon used in the drink: caramel, vanilla and black pepper. The drink is completed with amaro, amaretto syrup and a dash of orange bitters. 15530 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 160, Phoenix, 602.775.5140
Torching Tincture
Roka Akor’s Eagle in the Mist ($14) is a time machine. “Smoking the cocktail awakens your senses, transporting you to the cooperage where the barrels are charred that will soon age the bourbon in your glass,” says Rob Holder, director of beverage and brand development for JNK Concepts, the group behind Roka Akor. The smoke from charred applewood-infused smoke chips complements the Eagle Rare 10-year bourbon that’s dashed with figgy pudding bitters and finished with a handcut piece of ice. 7299 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.582.4552
Mesquite Magic
Recalling summer’s hazy dust storms, Crepe Bar’s The Haboob ($10) is an elixir of vodka, pomegranate green tea and orange blossom honey that’s presented in a cloud of mesquite smoke—intended to balance out the honey and tea flavors. 7520 S. Rural Road, Tempe, 480.247.8012
Photography by: courtesy of the sicilian butcher
