Smoked rosemary bramble sour is a smoky cocktail inspired by an old New York City speakeasy I visited pre-lockdown. The bartender torched a plank of fragrant wood, then captured the smoke in an swirling aromatic veil that encircle the inside of my glass.
Wanting to capture the sexy allure of a smoked cocktail, I torched a sprig of fresh rosemary that’s been thriving in bushes in my backyard. Balmy and woodsy, its fragrance set the mood for the evening, lingering over our cocktails, enticing each sip. Surrendering to the heat of August, I tossed in a handful of crushed ice. The purple hue, like a midnight shadow, courtesy of the muddled hand-picked blackberries from the bramble at the orchard just down the road.
The smoky aroma satisfies my longing for a hidden late-night cocktail bar when I find myself cozied-up at home.
Fun Fact
As an aside, I’ve long been drawn to prohibition era society. The basement of my grandmother’s four story walk-up apartment building echoed with the remains of a 1920’s speakeasy. The bones of the old club were still perfectly intact, though the floors were mostly dusty concrete, and the partially exposed walls worn with age and time. “The club” as we called it, was heady with the aroma of damp earth and rain. It was mostly dark, except for a pull-chain bulb that hung from the ceiling, and old windows that let in outside light from two secret atriums that flanked each side – both with doors that opened to a long, narrow, and dark concrete stairwell that led up to another door that opened to the street. It was my favorite part of her apartment building, and I loved any opportunity to go down there with my imagination of gilded tapestries and fringe, flappers, music, and smoky, muffled, late-night conversations.
I’d love to hear from you!
Scroll down and leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear from you! If you give this cocktail a go, don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram, I’d love to see your creation! Make sure to tag me @chasingtheseasons so that I don’t miss it!
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Ingredients
- 3-4 blackberries, plus more for garnish if desired
- 2 oz bourbon whiskey
- 0.75 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 oz simple syrup*
- ice
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Add the blackberries to a large cocktail shaker and muddle (using a pestle to press down and half turn), add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice. Shake well to completely chill the contents. Strain into a rocks glass, or your favorite cocktail glass, filled with ice. Garnish with additional blackberries (if desired) and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
- To serve, carefully torch the rosemary (being cautious as it can blow off embers), burning a few of the leaves and stem, it will likely self extinguish and smoke.
Notes
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Summer and it’s hot in El Paso Texas. Gotta have something
cool. This drink is so simple and fun. And the rosemary is fun!
Thank you so much!