This recipe is sponsored by BarrelCharWood.com. All opinions are my own.
This amburana wood infused Tequila Smash is my new go-to spring refresher! After six long months, my amburana infused tequila is full flavored, and this simple blend of lime, honey, and mint is a great way to enjoy it when I’m not sipping it neat.
What is amburana wood?
Amburana, also known as Brazilian oak, is a tree native to – you guessed it – Brazil. Amburana is known for its deliciously vanilla-scented wood and it’s often used in the aging of Brazil’s national spirit, cachaca.
I was interested to see how amburana would work with tequila, specifically the clean-tasting and lightly herbal Cazadores. After three months, I was impressed by the aroma and flavors beginning to develop, but by six months, this infusion was perfection.
The cinnamon and baking spice flavors of the amburana melded beautifully with the herbal notes of the blanco tequila, creating something very unique.
At six months, there’s smooth vanilla with a hint of mint and a sweet vegetal flavor that brings to mind sugar snap peas. What could be more perfect for spring cocktails?
Creating wood infusions with Barrel Char in a Jar
I made my amburana-infused tequila with the help of the Barrel Char in a Jar system from BarrelCharWood.com. In October 2021, I started four infusions and you can read all about it in my Barrel Char in a Jar Review!
The process of infusing is incredibly simple, although it can be a little hard to wait, if you’re impatient like me. But the wait is so worth it, and it’s really fun to be able to create your own custom aged spirits!
I’m so excited to create new cocktails with my barrel char jar infusions, which include: cherry wood infused bourbon, birch wood infused gin, and sugar maple infused rum.
More barrel char jar cocktail recipes:
What is a Smash?
The Smash is actually a really old style of cocktail that originated along with the Cobbler and the Julep in the late 1800s. There are many different interpretations of “what makes a Smash a Smash,” but common among them all is the muddling of some citrus, some mint, and perhaps other fruit.
You can use any spirit, although the Whiskey Smash and the Basil Gin Smash are probably the two most common variations around today.
A basic Smash involves muddling lemon wedges (or lime) with some sweetener in a cocktail shaker. Add a couple ounces of spirits, a handful of mint leaves, and plenty of ice and give it a good shake.
Fine strain (to keep pulp and bits of mint out of the drink) the liquid over fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a bouquet of mint. The Smash is cool, refreshing, and perfect for hot summer days in the sun.
It’s also easy, uncomplicated, and laid back, making it a fun drink for get togethers or lounging around the pool.
The amburana infusion led my inspiration for this Smash recipe, so I went with Caipirinha-inspired muddled lime wedges rather than lemon. I also used a rich Brazilian honey for the sweetener, mixed 2:1 with water to create a simple syrup.
This special amburana tequila combined with lime, honey, and mint, is a divine mix. Of all of my barrel char jar cocktails, this one is my favorite for its perfect harmony of flavors. I highly recommend trying an amburana wood infusion, whether in tequila or in white rum, unaged cachaca, or even vodka!
Learn how to make your own amburana wood infused spirits at the Barrel Char Wood Etsy shop.
You may also enjoy these other tequila cocktails:
Amburana Infused Tequila Honey Smash
Ingredients
- 2 oz amburana-infused tequila
- 1 small lime, cut into quarters
- ½ oz honey syrup 2 parts honey, 1 part water
- 5 mint leaves
Instructions
- Thoroughly muddle the lime wedges in a cocktail shaker to release the juices and oils from the peel.
- Add the tequila, honey syrup, and mint, and fill the shaker about 3/4 with ice.
- Shake until chilled, then fine strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed or pebble ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.