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Committee, home of the Smoke Show cocktail.
Committee, home of the Smoke Show cocktail.
Chris Coe for Eater

10 Smoky Cocktails to Take Summer From Grill to Glass

Everyone loves a good plate of ribs, but why limit barbecue to food form? Put away the charcoal and wile away your summer evenings sipping these smoky libations.

by Emily Phares
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Committee, home of the Smoke Show cocktail.
| Chris Coe for Eater
by Emily Phares
1 comment / new

Everyone loves a good plate of ribs, but why limit barbecue to food form? Put away the charcoal and wile away your summer evenings sipping these 10 smoky libations at restaurants and bars around town.

Venues are listed geographically from north to south.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Sarma

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Woodsman's Bribe ($10): For a unique blend of smoke and a fruit-forward flavor, the folks at Sarma have struck an ideal balance — beginning by grilling lemons and letting them sit in vodka for a day or two. The resulting char-infused alcohol is combined with blackberry and oregano for a well-balanced summer sipper. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater]

249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-4464
(617) 764-4464

Also featured in:

La Brasa

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Oaxaca Flocka Flame ($13): La Brasa's wood-burning stove provides the perfect backdrop, and aroma, to partake in this delightful concoction. Mezcal is embellished with spicy Ancho Reyes, a chile liqueur, and topped off with zesty lemon and bitters — seemingly simple, but full of complex flavor. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater]

124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-1412
(617) 764-1412

Also featured in:

Alden & Harlow

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In Hot Water ($12): Smooth Fidencio mezcal, smoked celery agave, and watermelon & serrano shrub create a smoky-sweet blend that's practically a picnic in a glass. With some Manzanilla and lime for extra oomph. [Photo: Meg Jones Wall for Eater]

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 864-2100
(617) 864-2100

Also featured in:

The Sinclair

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Smoking the Hive ($13): If cocktails could set off smoke alarms, this would be the drink to do it. Bourbon, Del Maguey Mezcal Vida, and fiery Laphroaig converge to form an intense mixture mellowed with smoked honey and smoked sea salt. Beekeepers smoke the hive to keep bees calm, so after one of these you'll be the most tranquil bee on the block. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater]

52 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-5200
(617) 547-5200

Also featured in:

Russell House Tavern

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Harvard Yard No. 3 ($13): The foundation of heavy-on-the-peat Laphroaig offers a hefty dose of campfire flavor. Balanced with port, herbal green Chartreuse, and a touch of salt, the No. 3 will become your new No. 1. [Photo: Cal Bingham for Eater]

14 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 500-6055
(617) 500-6055

Also featured in:

Vialé

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Shish Kabob ($12): The constellation of charred, black flecks in this creation make you wonder whether you're in a bar or a backyard. Viale grills yellow peppers over a wood-burning flame, gives them a fine chop and puree, and adds pungent El Buho mezcal, Giffard Orgeat, ginger liquor, and lime. It's the most delicious kabob you'll ever drink. [Photo: Katie Chudy for Eater]

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-1900
(617) 576-1900

Also featured in:

Craigie on Main

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Continental Relic ($15): With Peat Monster scotch, sassafras-infused Dubonnet, and absinthe, this potent formula is not for the faint of heart. Since it resides on the dessert menu, you'll relish winding down the meal by imbibing in this peaty pleasure. [Photo: Cal Bingham for Eater]

853 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-5511
(617) 497-5511

Also featured in:

Committee

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Smoke Show ($14): Strawberry-infused Mayalen mezcal, orange-y Aperol, and earthy Amaro #4 — with a hint of cayenne — set the stage for the real star of this show, the candied bacon chips. Because nothing says "drinkable barbecue" like a pork garnish. [Photo: Chris Coe for Eater]

50 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 737-5051
(617) 737-5051

The Hawthorne

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Cantineros Julep ($17): After wandering into this Kenmore Square favorite and asking bartenders Maeghan and Mackenzie for the smokiest beverage they could muster, I was presented with a two-mezcal julep. Infused with cinnamon syrup and topped with whiskey barrel bitters and fresh mint, over plenty of ice, it's simultaneously cool and smoldering. Like Ryan Gosling with mint leaves tucked behind his ear.

Hankering for dessert? Ask for an "Under the Volcano" ($14). Mezcal, Amaro, Sherry, and chocolate mole bitters, a quick trick involving orange peel and a burst of flame, and I was ready to leave cake behind forevermore in favor of this tasty treat. [Photo: Official Site]

500A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 532-9150
(617) 532-9150

Also featured in:

The Bar at Clio and Uni

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The Cinder ($17): While dining at Uni I caught a whiff of something so woodsy and intoxicating, I had to track it down. My sleuthing lead me to lead bartender Charlie, who introduced me to The Cinder — a blend of Fidencio mezcal, Aperol, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and burnt cinnamon syrup that tastes like a wondrous melding of Christmas and summer. The key to my olfactory hijacking? An artful process in which Charlie burns cinnamon and traps the smoke inside an overturned glass before adding the other components. The addictive scent lingers until you've nothing left to sip. [Photo: Facebook]

370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 536-7200
(617) 536-7200

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Sarma

249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA 02145

Woodsman's Bribe ($10): For a unique blend of smoke and a fruit-forward flavor, the folks at Sarma have struck an ideal balance — beginning by grilling lemons and letting them sit in vodka for a day or two. The resulting char-infused alcohol is combined with blackberry and oregano for a well-balanced summer sipper. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater]

249 Pearl St, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-4464
(617) 764-4464

La Brasa

124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

Oaxaca Flocka Flame ($13): La Brasa's wood-burning stove provides the perfect backdrop, and aroma, to partake in this delightful concoction. Mezcal is embellished with spicy Ancho Reyes, a chile liqueur, and topped off with zesty lemon and bitters — seemingly simple, but full of complex flavor. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater]

124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-1412
(617) 764-1412

Alden & Harlow

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

In Hot Water ($12): Smooth Fidencio mezcal, smoked celery agave, and watermelon & serrano shrub create a smoky-sweet blend that's practically a picnic in a glass. With some Manzanilla and lime for extra oomph. [Photo: Meg Jones Wall for Eater]

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 864-2100
(617) 864-2100

The Sinclair

52 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Smoking the Hive ($13): If cocktails could set off smoke alarms, this would be the drink to do it. Bourbon, Del Maguey Mezcal Vida, and fiery Laphroaig converge to form an intense mixture mellowed with smoked honey and smoked sea salt. Beekeepers smoke the hive to keep bees calm, so after one of these you'll be the most tranquil bee on the block. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater]

52 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-5200
(617) 547-5200

Russell House Tavern

14 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Harvard Yard No. 3 ($13): The foundation of heavy-on-the-peat Laphroaig offers a hefty dose of campfire flavor. Balanced with port, herbal green Chartreuse, and a touch of salt, the No. 3 will become your new No. 1. [Photo: Cal Bingham for Eater]

14 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 500-6055
(617) 500-6055

Vialé

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Shish Kabob ($12): The constellation of charred, black flecks in this creation make you wonder whether you're in a bar or a backyard. Viale grills yellow peppers over a wood-burning flame, gives them a fine chop and puree, and adds pungent El Buho mezcal, Giffard Orgeat, ginger liquor, and lime. It's the most delicious kabob you'll ever drink. [Photo: Katie Chudy for Eater]

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-1900
(617) 576-1900

Craigie on Main

853 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Continental Relic ($15): With Peat Monster scotch, sassafras-infused Dubonnet, and absinthe, this potent formula is not for the faint of heart. Since it resides on the dessert menu, you'll relish winding down the meal by imbibing in this peaty pleasure. [Photo: Cal Bingham for Eater]

853 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-5511
(617) 497-5511

Committee

50 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Smoke Show ($14): Strawberry-infused Mayalen mezcal, orange-y Aperol, and earthy Amaro #4 — with a hint of cayenne — set the stage for the real star of this show, the candied bacon chips. Because nothing says "drinkable barbecue" like a pork garnish. [Photo: Chris Coe for Eater]

50 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 737-5051
(617) 737-5051

The Hawthorne

500A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Cantineros Julep ($17): After wandering into this Kenmore Square favorite and asking bartenders Maeghan and Mackenzie for the smokiest beverage they could muster, I was presented with a two-mezcal julep. Infused with cinnamon syrup and topped with whiskey barrel bitters and fresh mint, over plenty of ice, it's simultaneously cool and smoldering. Like Ryan Gosling with mint leaves tucked behind his ear.

Hankering for dessert? Ask for an "Under the Volcano" ($14). Mezcal, Amaro, Sherry, and chocolate mole bitters, a quick trick involving orange peel and a burst of flame, and I was ready to leave cake behind forevermore in favor of this tasty treat. [Photo: Official Site]

500A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 532-9150
(617) 532-9150

The Bar at Clio and Uni

370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

The Cinder ($17): While dining at Uni I caught a whiff of something so woodsy and intoxicating, I had to track it down. My sleuthing lead me to lead bartender Charlie, who introduced me to The Cinder — a blend of Fidencio mezcal, Aperol, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and burnt cinnamon syrup that tastes like a wondrous melding of Christmas and summer. The key to my olfactory hijacking? An artful process in which Charlie burns cinnamon and traps the smoke inside an overturned glass before adding the other components. The addictive scent lingers until you've nothing left to sip. [Photo: Facebook]

370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 536-7200
(617) 536-7200

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