There is no limit to creativity when making drinks. There are endless possibilities for making original and delectable cocktails, from new takes on old standards to experimental concoctions. Wood chips can be used to provide a smoky flavor to mixed drinks, giving them an interesting new depth. There are many varieties of wood chips available, and some go better with certain cocktails than others. Here we'll take a look at the most common types of wood chips used to make smoky cocktails, as well as the drinks that go well with them.
Pecan Wood Chips
Using pecan wood chips in drinks is a terrific way to provide a nutty, caramel flavor. They lend a pleasant, smoky heat to cocktails and are especially effective when made with bourbon. Pecan wood chips are a nice addition to a number of cocktails, including:
If you're making an Old Fashioned, try using pecan wood chips since their sweet and nutty notes pair wonderfully with the bourbon and bitters.
Pecan wood chips complement the sweetness of the vermouth in a Manhattan well.
Oak Wood Chips
While making a smokey drink, oak wood chips are the standard ingredient. They pair excellently with a wide range of alcoholic beverages thanks to their robust, smoky flavor. Here are a few drinks that go nicely with oak wood chips:
A margarita's smokey undertones pair well with the lime's sourness and the agave's sweetness.
The smokey aromas of the oak wood chips in a Negroni are the perfect counterpoint to the strong flavors of the gin, Campari, and vermouth.
Cherry Wood Chips
Cherry wood chips impart a fruity sweetness, making them a good match for gin and vodka. Mixed drinks that go well with cherry wood chips include:
Cherry wood chips add a fruity sweetness to a Gin and Tonic, which pairs wonderfully with the gin's botanical notes.
Cherry wood chips can be used to flavor a vodka martini with a unique, delicate sweetness.
Apple Wood Chips
The subtle fruitiness of apple wood chips makes them a great addition to many different drinks. They pair very nicely with tequila and vodka, which are clear spirits. Apple wood chips are a great addition to a variety of drinks, such as:
While tequila and orange juice are traditional ingredients in a Tequila Sunrise, the addition of apple wood chips brings out a delicious flavor that sets it apart.
The apple wood chips' gentle fruitiness pairs beautifully with the vodka martini's understated sweetness.
Hickory Wood Chips
The robust, smoky flavor of hickory wood chips complements the intense flavors of strong drinks. They pair exceptionally well with whiskey and rum. Hickory wood chips go great in a variety of cocktails, such as:
Hickory wood chips add robust, smoky notes to your Old Fashioned that go wonderfully with the bourbon and bitters.
Hickory wood chips' robust, smoky tastes can give the classic rum and coke combination a new, interesting dimension.
In conclusion, using wood chips to provide a distinct and smoky flavor into your drinks is a terrific idea. Several distinct flavors that complement your favorite cocktails can be achieved by employing various wood chips. In that case, why not play around with various wood chips to discover new flavor profiles? You can build whatever you can imagine with just a little ingenuity and some wood chips.
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