Published: February 12, 2023 | Updated: August 29, 2025
Old Fashions are a family favorite of ours! However this evening, I decided to experiment since we were gifted an amazing Cocktail Smoker Kit! So instead of making a traditional Old Fashioned cocktail and smoking it, I decided to make my own spin to create a new cocktail that I’ve named in my own southern charm way – “The Old Thyme Lemonade”.
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This smoked bourbon cocktail was definitely inspired by my husband’s longstanding love for the traditional old fashion, but instead of using sugar, I replaced it with a thyme simple syrup. Instead of orange bitters, I replaced this citrus flavor with fresh squeezed lemon juice. To round out the entire mixture and to add smoothness, my husband added a few wood chips to the smoker lid of the Aged and Charred kit, lit it on fire to propel the smoke wood flavor into the cocktail, and it literally created AMAZINGNESS!
Now, this is not our first time creating this sort of cocktail. So there are a few tips I want to share to enhance the outcome of this recipe:
Smoky Bourbon Cocktail Tips
Tip #1: Ice Does Matter
Definitely invest in ice molds to create cube or sphere ice. The ice straight out of the refrigerator melts faster, and truly does dilute the amazing flavors in this cocktail or any cocktail that requires ice. Additionally, I truly believe refrigerator ice has a specific taste. Maybe it’s just me, but I can taste the difference between refrigerator ice and frozen ice molds from filtered water. This kit is small, easy to store, and creates ice spheres with ease.
Tip #2: Invest in a Good Cocktail Smoker
Our family enjoys experimenting with different recipes. We’ve owned three different cocktail smokers, even high-end ones made by companies like Breville. However, the Aged and Charred Cocktail Smoker Kit has by far been our favorite smoker tool thus far! Not only is it high quality, convenient and easy to use, it packs a lot of power into each cocktail without turning your kitchen into an entire science lab! The kit comes with a smoke lid made of 100% oak wood, a 4-burner butane torch, a canister of butane, 3 screen strainers, a small can of oak wood chips and a cleaning brush. I can’t wait to share more recipes in the future with all of you using this amazing kit. I’m thinking of experimenting with a smoked pasta dish next!
Tip #3: Use Fresh Ingredients
I am a huge believer in using fresh ingredients whenever possible. That is why I infused fresh thyme into this recipe’s simple syrup, and I used 1/2 of a fresh lemon to brighten the mixture of the bourbon and simple syrup. I know it’s tempting to reach for a bottle of pre-made lemon juice, but please try to avoid doing so. You and your cocktail deserve better!
Smoked Bourbon Lemonade Recipe:
Bourbon Lemonade
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Thyme Simple Syrup See Recipe Here: https://elicitfolio.com/single-post/2019/09/02/thyme-simple-syrup/
- .5 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice About half a lemon
- Infused smoke from wood chips
Instructions
Thyme Simple Syrup:
- Thyme simple syrup truly gives this cocktail the edge and surprise your tastebuds didn't know they needed! Full instructions can be found here on the blog: https://elicitfolio.com/single-post/2019/09/02/thyme-simple-syrup/
How to Make the Cocktail:
- In a rocks glass (also called an old fashion or lowball glass), add 1 oz of simple syrup, 2 oz of bourbon, and .5 oz of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Place sphere ice cube inside the rock glass and stir.
- Place the bottom smoke lid on top of the rocks glass, add a dash of wood chips to the smoke lid, light and torch the wood chips for 5-7 seconds and place the top smoke lid on top to infuse smoke flavors into the cocktail mixture. Remove lid and enjoy!
Nutrition
Smoked Bourbon Lemonade Recipe Video Instructions:
If you’re looking to smoke more than one cocktail at once, then you could also invest in Aged and Charred cocktail smoking barrel! It works just as good and perfect for parties!
Wow, that looks easy enough. I can’t wait to receive friends to our new house. Cocktails and mocktails are what I’ve been thinking of serving at the house warming.
Very cool description and instructions for making a Smoked Old Thyme Lemonade Cocktail. There’s a restaurant around me that makes a version of this – cool to see an at home version.
This sounds like something I would love!!! Pinning for later!
Now this is truly an adult drink. It seems very sophisticated and I would love to try it.
Wow! This looks really good and refreshing. Lemon is always an incentive for me. Hope to try those out.