Smoking in the Sidecar

Instructions

• 1

  Chill a cocktail glass in the refrigerator.

• 2

  To make the sugar syrup, heat the water in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Cool. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate. You'll need 2 teaspoons for this recipe. Store the remaining syrup in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

• 3

  To smoke the sugar, place the sugar in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Connect the large end of the hose to the Smoking Gun barrel. Add a pinch of the apple wood chips to the burn chamber and place the other end of the hose under the plastic wrap with the opening sitting above the sugar.

• 4

  Turn the smoking gun on to High Speed and ignite the wood chips. Switch to Low speed for a few seconds until the bowl is filled with a dense smoke. Switch to Off position. Remove the hose and reseal the plastic wrap. Infuse for 3 minutes, shaking sugar occasionally.

• 5

  To make the cocktail, combine the Cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of the sugar syrup and ice in a cocktail shaker. Cover with plastic wrap.

• 6

  Add a pinch of the hickory wood chips and pepper to the burn chamber of the smoking gun and place the other end of the hose under the plastic wrap with the opening sitting above the liquid. Turn the smoking gun on to High Speed and ignite the wood chips. Switch to Low Speed for a few seconds until the shaker is filled with a dense smoke. Switch to Off position. Infuse for 30 seconds.

• 7

  Dip the rim of the chilled cocktail glass into the smoked sugar and add an ice cube.

• 8

  Remove the hose and plastic wrap from the shaker. Cover with the lid and gently shake the cocktail.

• 9

  Strain into the prepared cocktail glass. Serve straight away.