Try our straightforward Smoke on the Water cocktail recipe to warm your winter! This smoky cocktail is a must-try for the chilly season, featuring Mezcal, triple sec, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, watermelon juice and a flamed rosemary sprig.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
215
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Mezcal
- 1 oz watermelon juice
- ¾ oz Triple Sec
- ½ oz hibiscus syrup
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 100 proof alcohol - for soaking
- Flamed rosemary sprig - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Measuring Jigger
- Cocktail Strainer
- Old Fashioned Glass
Instructions
- Prep Rosemary Sprig: Soak a fresh rosemary sprig upside down with 100-proof alcohol for five minutes.
- Prep Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned or a rocks glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Lime Juice: Pour ½ oz fresh lime juice into the shaker.
- Add Hibiscus Syrup: Add ½ oz hibiscus syrupp.
- Add Watermelon Juice: Add 1 oz watermelon juice.
- Add Triple Sec: Measure and pour ¾ oz Triple Sec into the shaker as well.
- Add Mezcal: Finally, add 1½ oz Mezcal to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Discard the ice in the Old Fashioned glass and refill it with fresh, new ice cubes. Then, use the cocktail strainer to strain the drink into the ice-filled glass.
- Garnish: Place the prepared rosemary sprig upright in the rocks glass, and light on fire immediately before serving. Extinguish before drinking.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Mezcal: If you don't have Mezcal, you can use silver Tequila for a less smoky, crispier agave
- Triple Sec: Any type of orange liqueur, such as curaçao for example, can be used to make this cocktail. Grand Marnier is a good alternative for a richer, more complex flavor. It's sweeter but still brings that orange essence.
- Hibiscus Syrup: You can easily make your own hibiscus syrup at home: combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Take off the heat, stir to dissolve the sugar, and add ½ cup of dried hibiscus flowers. Let steep for 10 minutes then strain into a glass jar with a lid. The syrup will keep for up to a month in the refrigerator.
- Fresh Lime Juice: You can use bottled lime juice in a pinch, but the flavor will be less bright and fresh. Another option is to use fresh lemon juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
- Watermelon Juice: You can make your own watermelon juice at home simply by blending chunks of watermelon at high speed. Make sure to remove the seeds before, strain for a lighter texture, and use immediately for best results.
Making a Pitcher of Smoke on the Water:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Mezcal, 6 oz of Triple Sec, 8 oz of watermelon juice, 4 oz of Hibiscus Syrup, 4 oz of fresh lime juice, and 8 fresh rosemary sprigs.
- Prep Garnishes: Soak the fresh rosemary sprigs upside down with 100-proof alcohol for five minutes.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients except the rosemary sprigs in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled Old fashioned, and garnish each glass with a rosemary sprig. Light the sprigs on fire immediately before serving and extinguish the flame before drinking. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Mezcal Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a smoky flavor profile, or a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; several brands are available that mimic Tequila's flavor quite well. You can also try making your own substitute by mixing together water, a pinch of smoked salt, a splash of tonic, and a bit of agave syrup (to taste).
- Triple Sec Substitute: You can use orange peel syrup as a substitute. To make your own syrup, mix together 1 part white sugar and 1 part water over low heat. Stir well to dissolve the sugar, remove from the heat, and add orange peels to the syrup. Let the mixture cool down to temperature, transfer to an airtight container, and let it infuse in the fridge for at least one day. For a stronger flavor, you may add a drop of bitter orange essence to the mix. When ready to use, strain to remove the peels and store in the fridge after use.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
Good news: the Smoke on the Water cocktails is already vegan! Most spirits, including Mezcal and Triple Sec, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Smoke on the Water cocktail?
A Smoke on the Water cocktail is a Mezcal-based cocktail drink made of Mezcal, triple sec, hibiscus syrup, fresh lime juice, and watermelon juice and garnished with a flamed rosemary sprig.
What is a Smoke on the Water cocktail made of – The ingredients
To whip up a Smoke on the Water cocktail, ensure you have these ingredients:
- Mezcal: This is the cocktail’s base spirit, providing a smoky yet crisp flavor that gives the drink its distinctive character.
- Triple Sec: An orange-flavored liqueur that adds a hint of citrus sweetness to balance out the smokiness of the Mezcal.
- Hibiscus Syrup: This syrup lends a floral note and a sweetness to the cocktail, enhancing its complexity.
- Watermelon Juice: Fresh watermelon juice adds a light, refreshing sweetness and a subtle fruity note.
- Fresh Lime Juice: The lime juice’s acidity helps cut through the sweetness and adds a refreshing tang to the drink.
- Flamed Rosemary Sprig: A fragrant herb that, when burned, releases a smoky aroma, adding a sensory element to the cocktail.
