Smoke on the Water Cocktail Recipe for Cool Evenings

Let me share a cocktail that brings mystery and maritime charm to your glass with a smoke on the water concoction that promises adventure.

Waves of deep smoky flavors crash against crisp botanical notes in this remarkable drink.

Professional mixologists have long admired its complex profile and dramatic presentation.

Cool blue hues mingle with whispers of herbal undertones, creating an unexpected sensory experience.

Crafted with precision and imagination, this cocktail tells a story in every sip.

Elegant yet bold, the recipe invites you to become the captain of your own liquid journey.

Shake, strain, and prepare to be amazed by this liquid masterpiece that defies ordinary expectations.

What Makes the Smoke on the Water Cocktail Memorable

• Perfect for home bartenders seeking an impressive yet simple mixed drink that requires minimal professional skills.
• Delivers exotic flavors with watermelon and smoky mezcal, making it an ideal refreshing beverage for outdoor gatherings and warm-weather celebrations.
• Combines unexpected ingredients like smoked salt and mezcal, creating a unique taste experience that surprises and delights adventurous drinkers.
• Takes just minutes to assemble, allowing hosts to quickly create a gourmet cocktail without extensive mixology training or complicated techniques.

Ingredients to Create This Bold Cocktail

• Mezcal: Smoky, distinctive spirit that gives the cocktail its unique character, choose an artisanal brand for best flavor.
• Tequila: Traditional Mexican spirit that complements the mezcal, select a blanco or silver tequila for a clean taste.

• Lime Juice: Fresh, tart component that balances the cocktail's richness, always use freshly squeezed for optimal flavor.
• Watermelon Syrup: Sweet, summery element that adds fruity complexity, can be homemade or store-bought.

• Smoked Salt: Adds smoky depth and enhances the cocktail's overall flavor profile, choose a high-quality sea salt or specialty smoked salt.
• Lime Juice (for Rim): Helps salt adhere to the glass rim, creates a tangy preparation.
• Watermelon Slice, Lime Wheel: Fresh, decorative garnish that adds visual appeal and hints at the cocktail's flavors.

• Ice: Essential for chilling and diluting the cocktail, use fresh, clean ice for the best taste.

How to Mix a Smoke on the Water the Way

Step 1: Rim The Glass With Citrus Flair

• Lime juice
• Smoked salt

Swirl the glass rim in lime juice, then dip into the smoked salt to create a delectable edge.

Step 2: Blend Liquid Magic

• Mezcal
• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Watermelon syrup

Combine all ingredients with enthusiasm, preparing for a flavor explosion.

Step 3: Shake Things Up

Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes and seal tightly.

Shake the mixture with powerful, rhythmic movements for about 15 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients perfectly.

Step 4: Pour With Precision

Strain the vibrant cocktail into your salt-rimmed glass.

Add fresh ice cubes to keep the drink cool and refreshing.

Step 5: Add The Finishing Touch

• Watermelon slice
• Lime wheel

Choose your preferred garnish to elevate the visual appeal and add an extra hint of flavor.

Enjoy your smoky, sweet cocktail that dances between bold and refreshing!

Tips for That Perfect Smoky Finish

• Rim with Precision: Ensure an even coating of smoked salt by rolling the glass rim gently in the salt after dipping in lime juice for a professional-looking presentation.
• Choose Quality Mezcal: Select a high-quality, artisanal mezcal to elevate the smoky flavor profile of the cocktail and enhance overall taste experience.
• Shake with Energy: Vigorously shake the cocktail for the full 10-15 seconds to properly chill the drink and create a well-integrated mixture of ingredients.
• Watermelon Syrup Hack: Make homemade watermelon syrup by blending fresh watermelon and straining, or use store-bought for convenience and consistent sweetness.
• Ice Matters: Use large, clear ice cubes to slow down dilution and maintain the cocktail's robust flavors while keeping it perfectly chilled.

Keeping the Cocktail Fresh for Later

• Store leftover cocktail in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the flavor and quality intact.
• Keep garnishes like watermelon slices and lime wheels in separate sealed containers to prevent sogginess.
• Before serving chilled leftovers, give the cocktail a quick shake with fresh ice to restore its original texture and blend the ingredients.
• Do not freeze this cocktail, as the delicate balance of mezcal, tequila, and watermelon syrup will break down and lose its unique smoky-sweet profile.

Drinks and Bites That Pair Nicely

• Pair this mezcal-based cocktail with grilled seafood like chipotle-glazed shrimp or smoky fish tacos for a flavor-packed experience.
• Serve alongside spicy Mexican appetizers such as jalapeño poppers or chorizo empanadas to match the cocktail's bold, intense profile.
• Match with light, refreshing salads featuring citrus elements or grilled summer vegetables to balance the drink's smoky and sweet notes.
• Select aged Mexican cheeses like cotija or a mild queso fresco, paired with cured meats, to create a delightful flavor harmony with the cocktail's complex taste.

Fun Variations on This Classic Cocktail

• Spicy Smoky Swap: Replace watermelon syrup with jalapeño-infused simple syrup for a fiery kick and maintain the smoky profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use fresh watermelon juice and stevia instead of syrup to reduce sugar content while keeping the cocktail's essence.
• Mocktail Transformation: Substitute mezcal and tequila with smoky tea or non-alcoholic botanical spirits, using smoked salt rim for depth.
• Herbal Infusion Variation: Add fresh rosemary or thyme to the shaker for an earthy, aromatic dimension that complements the smoky elements.

Frequently Asked Cocktail Questions

• What is mezcal and how does it differ from tequila?

Mezcal is a Mexican spirit made from agave, similar to tequila, but produced using traditional methods that involve roasting agave hearts in underground pits, which gives it a distinct smoky flavor. While tequila is made specifically from blue agave in certain regions, mezcal can be made from multiple agave varieties.

• Why is smoked salt used in this cocktail?

Smoked salt adds a complementary smoky flavor that enhances the mezcal’s natural characteristics, creating a more complex and layered taste profile for the Smoke on the Water cocktail. It also provides an interesting textural element to the drink’s rim.

• What does watermelon syrup contribute to the cocktail?

Watermelon syrup adds a sweet, fruity dimension that balances the smoky and strong alcohol notes, creating a refreshing and well-rounded flavor. It brings a summery, light quality to the cocktail that makes it more approachable and enjoyable.

• Can I make this cocktail without mezcal?

While mezcal is crucial to the cocktail’s unique flavor, you could substitute it with a smoky whiskey or a strongly flavored tequila. However, the drink’s character will change significantly.

Smoke On The Water Cocktail Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

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Description

Mystic mixology meets Mediterranean charm in this Smoke on the Water cocktail, blending smoky mezcal with herbal complexity. Mediterranean elegance dances through each sip, inviting you to savor an unforgettable libation that whispers tales of distant shores.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cocktail Base:

• 35 milliliters (1.2 fluid ounces) mezcal
• 15 milliliters (0.5 fluid ounces) tequila blanco

Citrus and Sweet:

• 20 milliliters (0.7 fluid ounces) fresh lime juice
• 20 milliliters (0.7 fluid ounces) watermelon syrup

Garnish and Rim:

• Smoked salt rim (optional)

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Instructions

1. Artfully coat the rim of a chilled glass with zesty lime nectar, then delicately dredge in smoky crystalline salt for a tantalizing sensory experience.
2. Pour mezcal, tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and luscious watermelon essence into a robust cocktail shaker, creating a vibrant liquid foundation.
3. Generously cascade crisp ice cubes into the shaker, sealing it tightly to prevent any liquid escape.
4. Execute a vigorous, rhythmic shake lasting 10-15 seconds, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and chill simultaneously.
5. Precisely strain the luminous crimson elixir into the prepared glass, nestled with pristine ice fragments.
6. Crown the cocktail with an elegant watermelon slice or a whimsically perched lime wheel, transforming the drink into a visual masterpiece that beckons immediate enjoyment.

Notes

• Customize the salt rim by mixing smoked salt with chili powder for an extra kick of heat and complexity.
• Elevate the cocktail’s smoky profile by selecting a high-quality mezcal with robust, earthy undertones that complement the watermelon syrup.
• Prep watermelon syrup in advance by blending fresh watermelon and straining to create a pure, concentrated sweet base that intensifies the drink’s fruity essence.
• Experiment with different ice types like clear large cubes or crushed ice to modify the cocktail’s dilution and temperature, affecting its overall drinking experience.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Cocktails, Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg