How To Make The Equinox Smoke & Spice Old Fashioned

Welcome to Episode 89 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, Rebecca crafts the Equinox Smoke & Spice, a dark, spirit-forward smoked Old Fashioned created to welcome the crisp nights of the autumn equinox.

Anchored by the bold 27% high-rye backbone and oily viscosity of Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel, this recipe layers subtle barrel-aged sweetness with aromatic complexity. Sweetened with just a whisper of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup and infused with Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco and Aztec Chocolate bitters, this build finishes under a rich canopy of fragrant cherry wood smoke.

Whether you are hosting friends by the firepit or looking to elevate your home bar cocktail smoking technique, this balanced, non-sweet, spirit-forward build is an absolute must-try for bourbon lovers.

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🍂 Cocktail Recipe: Equinox Smoke & Spice

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel Bourbon
  • 1 barspoon (0.15 oz) Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • Wood Smoke: Cherry wood chips

🥃 Instructions:

  1. In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, barrel-aged maple syrup, Turkish tobacco bitters, and Aztec chocolate bitters.
  2. Add dense ice and stir thoroughly until well chilled and properly diluted.
  3. Strain into a double rocks glass over a large clear ice cube.
  4. Place your cocktail smoking chimney top on the glass, fill with cherry wood chips, and ignite with your torch.
  5. Allow the smoke to infuse into the spirit, remove the top, and enjoy the rich hearth aromas!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

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This Smoked Bourbon Old Fashioned Isn’t Too Sweet! 

Take your Old Fashioned to the next level with The Amber Coast, a rich, spirit-forward smoked cocktail that bridges modern mixology with a piece of liquid history! In Episode 72 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca crafts a sophisticated twist on the classic bourbon cocktail using a bold, high-rye bourbon and a secret vintage ingredient from 1983.

Whether you love whiskey tasting, exploring complex bourbon recipes, or looking for the perfect transitional spring-to-summer drink, this craft cocktail delivers massive flavor. We are combining robust oak and black pepper notes with a unique vanilla-citrus sweetness and a clean, smoky finish. Grab your cocktail mixing glass and smoke infuser, and let’s mix a drink together!

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The Recipe: The Amber Coast

  • Style: Smoked Old Fashioned / Spirit-Forward
  • Glassware: Heavy Rocks Glass
  • Ice: One large clear cube
  • Smoke Agent: Cherry Apple wood

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz High-Rye Bourbon (Featured: Green River Full Proof)
  • 0.5 oz French 43 Liqueur
  • 0.25 oz Dry Vermouth (Featured: Vintage Stock/Schenley circa 1980s)
  • 3 dashes Jeptha Creed Strawberry Ginger Bitters
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine the High-Rye Bourbon, French 43, Dry Vermouth, and both types of bitters in a cocktail mixing glass.
  2. Add ice and stir for 15–20 seconds for optimal chilling, integration, and dilution.
  3. Strain the mixture into a heavy rocks glass over a single large, clear ice cube.
  4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top of the glass to release the citrus oils, then drop it in.
  5. Use a cocktail smoker to infuse the drink with burning cherry wood smoke. Let the smoke settle to caramelize the oils.
  6. Serve, sip, and enjoy responsibly!

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

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Cozy Up: The Best Autumn Bourbon Cocktail

🔥 The Bonfire Old Fashioned: Get Cozy with this Smoky Fall Cocktail (Thirsty Thursday Episode 44)

Dive into the cozy vibes of autumn with the Bonfire Old Fashioned! In this episode of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails,  we share Part 2 of our fall series which is a rich, smoky, and perfectly balanced twist on the classic Old Fashioned. It truly tastes like sitting next to a crackling campfire.

We’re breaking out the cocktail smoker and oak chips to infuse our drink with a deep, warming smokiness that pairs beautifully with the sweet, caramel notes of Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon and Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. The secret ingredient? Spicy Bonfire Bitters that deliver a pleasant heat on the finish, completing this complex, autumnal masterpiece.

This is a quintessential fall drink perfect for warming up as the weather cools down. Learn how to craft this elevated cocktail right in your glass—no shaker needed!

🥃 The Bonfire Old Fashioned Recipe:

  • 2 oz Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon
  • 0.25 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 Dashes Strongwater Bonfire Bitters 
  • 1 Dash Orange Bitters
  • Method: Stir, Smoke with Oak Chips, Add Ice Ball, Enjoy!

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🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

#bonfireoldfashioned #SmokyCocktail #FallCocktails #CocktailSmoker #bourboncocktails #oldfashioned #WhiskeyCocktails #AutumnVibes #CraftCocktails #Mixology #ThirstyThursday #RussellReserve #MapleSyrupCocktail #EasyCocktail #HomeBar