thrillist

The truly creative won't constrain themselves to the field they were trained for -- Mick Jagger wasn't like "Freejack? I'm a singer, not an actor!", and Sir Anthony Hopkins wasn't like "Freejack? I'm an actor, not Michael Caine!". For a chef taking a stab at spirits, check out the new cocktail menu at Smoke.

Smoke's just-unveiled libations list is the Southern-fried work of its ex-Mansion/Stephen Pyles chef, whose ultimate goal is to craft all mixers, additives, etc, in-house, including infused syrups, juices, sodas, and jams, changing up the standard house jam, "The Boys are Back in Town". The 20+ liquid assets are broken into three categories:

Infused Spirits: Cocktails that use house-infused liquor (kept right on the bar in giant jugs, it's also sipping-friendly), such as the "Woodshed Margarita", with fresh lime, agave nectar, Paula's Texas Orange, and tequila soaked in cedar planks, literally taking your liver to the woodshed.

House Drinks: Beer-based quenchers like a Lone Star michelada w/ pickle relish, bbq spices, and roasted-tomato bloody mix, plus commercial spirit-anchored inventions like the vodka "BlueBonnet" w/ lime juice, soda, and a blueberry/Mexican-cinnamon syrup that tastes like Red Hots, a nostalgic way to kick off a boozing Spree.

Late Night: So-named because of digestif properties and deep-evening potency, they're led by the "Two By Four" with Macallan 12, Drambuie, whiskey barrel-aged bitters, and sorghum molasses -- used as a Civil War ration for its Red Bull-like energy, amping guys up to get whiskey poured on what's left of their legs.

Wrapping things up, the 140-buck crown jewel is "The Closer": a bottle of Prosecco and the best-available room at the neighboring Belmont Hotel, where ideally you'll bring a date, though of course you're Free to just Jack.

Add this to My Thrillist

This is some seriously next-level drinking. Put down that coffee, and check out the menu.