A Little Smoke

Preparation

1. Step 1

   For the Smoky Cinnamon Syrup, add broken cinnamon sticks, sugar, smoked paprika, and ½ cup water to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer 3 minutes, stirring to disperse the paprika. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 4 hours. Strain out solids and store in a clean, tightly sealed container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

   Step 2

   To make the cocktail, add bourbon, Smoky Cinnamon syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass, and fill glass ¾ full with ice. Stir for 30 seconds, then strain over ice (one big cube preferred) into a double old fashioned glass. Express orange peel over cocktail and rub on the rim of the glass, then discard peel. Garnish with smoking cinnamon stick.