Smoke-Infused Ice for Cocktails

[Foxfire]

The better-half's father is a big fan of whiskey and bourbon, so this year we tried making some smoke-infused ice a s a special birthday gift.

The basics: freeze a large block of ice, pop it in a low-temp (100-150 degree) grill or smoker with loads of smoke, filter, and bottle or freeze.

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg585/haartman/ice100_zps6890bd60.jpg

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg585/haartman/ice400_zpsc4930635.jpg

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg585/haartman/ice700_zpsea1595a6.jpg

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg585/haartman/ice750_zps1504b4f3.jpg

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg585/haartman/ice980_zpsbaf59175.jpg

The complete process with more pix is posted on my blog. As always, thanks for looking!

http://foxfirefoodanddrink.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/smoke-infused-cocktail-ice/

[PatAttack]

Now, THAT, is thinking out of the box!

Great idea!

[code3rrt]

I've heard of this here before, looks interesting. I'm not sure of the appeal for myself tho, may have to try it sometime just to see what it's about. Any particular smoke flavor paired with with a specific liquor?

[Yendor]

I added a drop of liquid smoke to some water and froze it in our refrigerator egg holder thing. Made half moon ice looking things and they tasted great in our bloody marys.

[Foxfire]

I've heard of this here before, looks interesting. I'm not sure of the appeal for myself tho, may have to try it sometime just to see what it's about. Any particular smoke flavor paired with with a specific liquor?

I tried some leftover cherry-infused ice in whiskey from a sherry-cask and thought they complimented nicely, but I would have added a touch of water to dilute. The cherry wood batch was a bit strong.

[Smoothsmoke]

:hail:

[Phubar]

I like it!
I'd probably just smoke the water and then Phreeze it but this looks like it's working as well.

[Big George's BBQ]

Now that souns very interesting

[jonboy]

How much flavor does this bring to the water?
Is there a possibility of over smoking water?
How harsh would a mesquite water be?
jon

[Bob in St. Louis]

If you're going to make neat ice for your drinks, then you need equally cool ice trays.

You normal ice tray just won't do.

http://www.geekalerts.com/u/Death-Star-Ice-SPHERE-Tray.jpg

[Bob in St. Louis]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51z0dgjppOL.jpg

[Foxfire]

How much flavor does this bring to the water?
Is there a possibility of over smoking water?
How harsh would a mesquite water be?
jon

The water has a strong smoke smell, enough that I put plastic wrap over an open bowl of it to prevent jacking up the kitchen. But once re-frozen the smell is just lightly released as the cube slowly melts. It's just supposed to lightly enhance a drink's nose rather than replace it. If the end result is too heavy handed, dilute the next batch of cubes with 50% clear water and see where to tweak from there to your liking. Never did mesquite, I'd say go for it! Might pair nicely with a beefy dish!

[Foxfire]

If you're going to make neat ice for your drinks, then you need equally cool ice trays.

You normal ice tray just won't do.

http://www.geekalerts.com/u/Death-Star-Ice-SPHERE-Tray.jpg

That's no moon... :shocked:

[Wampus]

What kind of real difference do you notice with the smoked ice and is there a noticeable difference between the different woods?

[swamprb]

I saw a show where some Mixologists were infusing cocktails with various smokes into ice or drinks with a cold smoke generator. One of them was Irish peat moss!

[Freddy j]

Very clever! I'd be interested to hear how your father in law liked he flavor

[Foxfire]

Very clever! I'd be interested to hear how your father in law liked he flavor

I'm actually headed over to his place in a little while to help him bottle (he's a home winemaker, and a good one, at that). I'll see what he had to say!

[RevZiLLa]

That has to be good with bourbon