M80 in the campfie

This short interstitial from the BSidesLV 2021 Camp Stay At Home stream has host Alan Freeman making a campfire-inspired cocktail called the M80 in the campfie. The idea is an old fashioned with a smoky character, and he explains that rosemary or other woody material such as wood chips or a cinnamon stick can supply the smoke.

The segment starts with the smoking technique. A heat-proof surface is set up with a fire extinguisher nearby, and a little wet liquid goes into the glass so the smoke has something to cling to. The herb is lit with a torch until it smoulders, then the glass is inverted over it to trap the scent. The drink itself is built in a different glass: bourbon, spicy bitters for a bit of heat, a brown sugar syrup for a toasted marshmallow note, and a small measure of a smoky Islay scotch. It is poured over a large ice cube and garnished with the charred rosemary.

The talk ends with a relaxed sign-off that wishes viewers well and looks forward to sharing drinks in person. The practical takeaway is that a household torch and a glass can add a convincing smoke aroma to a cocktail without special equipment.