DIY Smoked Ice

If your awesome, high-tech cocktail smoking box has yet to arrive, here’s an easy at-home hack for campfire-infused drinks: smoked ice. All you need is a grill, wood chips, an ice cube tray and water.

If you are using a charcoal grill: Prepare the charcoal and, when the coals are hot, pile them on one side of the grill to create indirect heat.

If you are using a gas grill: Sit back. You don’t have to do anything quite yet.

Different wood chips will infuse your ice with different flavors. For sweeter, fruitier notes, opt for apple wood or cherry. If you really want that campfire punch in the mouth, go for hickory. Before using your wood chips, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before draining them.

If you are using a charcoal grill, wait until the coals have died down and are producing low heat. Dump a handful of wood chips directly onto the coals and close the lid.

If you are using a gas grill, pour your wood chips into a foil pan, cover with more foil, and poke holes into the top. Place your chip container in the back of the grill, turn the grill to high and close the lid.

Empty a tray of ice cubes (the bigger they are, the more smoky flavor you’ll get) into a pot or pan. Place the pan on the grill and close the lid. Smoke the ice until it melts.

Once the ice cubes have melted, it’s time to turn them back into ice. Pour the water back into the ice cube tray and freeze. Ta-da! You made smoked ice. Once frozen, use the cubes to infuse cocktails like Negronis, Old Fashioneds and Vieux Carres with subtle, smoky flavors.