Intense yet crisp, The Smoking Peach is summer grilling made drinkable. House-infused hickory smoke bourbon is mixed with a fragrant grilled peach puree, sultry maple syrup, bright lime juice, and a few dashes of angostura bitters. This golden-hued cocktail is finished with a wedge of grilled peach patterned with flecks of black and brown.
So I’m very excited to announce that The Smoking Peach is my first article for The Boys Club, where I’ll be crafting up a new alcoholic beverage each month. The Boys Club is a collection of bloggers who write about beverages, food, history, trips, tricks, stories and DIY all spiked with alcohol. And as we all know, I love my cocktails. And infusions! So it’s a perfect fit 🙂 Continue reading for some additional photos plus a link to the recipe.
The Smoking Peach
Ingredients
For the Grilled Peach Puree:
- 4 ripe peaches (on the firm side, about 600 g), sliced in half and pitted
- 1 tbsp. (15 ml) pure maple syrup
For the Hickory Infused Bourbon:
- 1 cup (60 g) hickory chips
- 1 cup (240 ml) good quality bourbon
For the Smoking Peach Cocktail:
- 1.5 fl. oz. (45 ml) hickory smoke infused bourbon (recipe below), chilled
- 2 oz. (60 ml) grilled peach puree (recipe below), chilled
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ fl. oz. (15 ml) pure maple syrup
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
- Ice
- Grilled peach wedge, for garnish
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Instructions
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Start with the Hickory Infused Bourbon. Carefully char the wood chips with a blowtorch or underneath a broiler. Let the chips cool, and then place them in a medium-sized jar. Add bourbon, and then seal the lid.
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Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 week. Start tasting around day 3. You can strain the mixture once the desired level of smokiness is achieved.
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To strain, line a basket strainer with a damp coffee filter. Pour the bourbon through the strainer into a clean container. Discard the solids. Bourbon can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for several months.
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Once the infused bourbon is done, make the Grilled Peach Puree. Fire up a grill to medium heat.
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In a medium bowl, toss peach halves with the maple syrup. Place peaches flat side down on the hot grill. Cook until the flesh starts to caramelize and release from the grill bars. Flip each peach and continue cooking until soft and tender.
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Place 3 of the 4 peaches in a blender (6 halves) and process until smooth. Slice the remaining peach in 6 wedges and reserve for the garnish. Pour peach puree through a fine mesh basket strainer into a clean container. You can use a spoon to help move the mixture through the strainer.
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Store grilled peach puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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To make the Smoking Peach Cocktail, add infused bourbon, peach puree, lime juice, maple syrup, bitters and ice to a rocks glass, stirring until combined and well chilled.
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Submerge a grilled peach wedge into the drink, then garnish the rim of the glass with a lime wedge.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I need a smoking peach! It’s 5 o clock somewhere, right!
Have a wonderful holiday, Brandon!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Smocking peach in a cocktail? Time to celebrate TGIF! Have a good one, Brandon 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Yes, it’s only Tuesday and I’m ready for another one!
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says
This is such an amazing way to highlight both the slight oakiness of bourbon as well as the more sweet, vanilla notes.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks J. S.! Yes, the flavors work very well together.
Abbie says
It is easy: simply set your vaporizer to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and hold vaping unless you don’t get any longer vapor.