A visit to Streamsong Resort, in celebration of its 10th anniversary, provides golf enthusiasts with a contemporary take on classic golf course architecture, as well as a taste of timeless cocktails with a modern approach. According to Courtney Depianta, a beverage coordinator at the resort, “Bartending is the art of turning ordinary ingredients into extraordinary sips, and all artists start somewhere.”
One of the classic cocktails emphasized at Streamsong is the Old Fashioned, with a smoked variant served at the hotel’s Rooftop 360 bar. Depianta imparted her expertise on the topic, offering insights on how to effectively smoke these cocktails at home for a truly unique and satisfying experience.
Depianta always commences with two ounces of the base spirit when mixing an Old Fashioned, then incorporates half an ounce of sweetener and concludes with two to three dashes of bitters. The specific measures of sweetener and bitters are crucial, as they “either lift, bind, or balance the flavors of the spirit.” The volume of the base spirit is equally important, as the cocktail should be complex yet representative of the spirit.
Streamsong has introduced non-traditional Old Fashioneds in the past, utilizing various spirits such as rum, Cognac, and Japanese whiskey. Depianta emphasizes that “an Old Fashioned can be any variety of spirit, sweetener, and bitters.” She advises experimenting by swapping out the base spirit and tasting each component of the drink individually first to understand their impact.
The flagship Old Fashioned at Rooftop 360 features the resort’s private barrel selection of Maker’s Mark bourbon and honey syrup, served in a smoked glass. Depianta explains that the smoke pairs well with whiskey due to the interaction of bourbon with a charred barrel, creating a popular drink to be smoked.
Experimenting with smoke at home is easier than one might think. A cocktail smoking kit can be used to impart a pleasing waft of smoke onto – and into – the bourbon Old Fashioned, creating different outcomes based on the technique used. Smoking the glass and large ice cube prior to pouring the cocktail produced a discernible aroma of smoke throughout, while smoking the finished cocktail in the glass imparted a faint smokiness to the liquid.
In conclusion, the art of smoking cocktails adds an extra layer of flavor to classic drinks like the Old Fashioned. Whether enjoyed at a prestigious golf resort or in the comfort of your own home, smoking cocktails is an accessible yet remarkable way to elevate the drinking experience. Depianta believes that when paired with the right spirit, that extra flavor goes a long way.
Source:
– Streamsong Resort Website, 2021. “Mixing The Classics And The Modern. How Streamsong Resort Provides A Modern Twist On Classic Cocktails.” Streamsong Resort, URL: [Insert URL]