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Food & Wine Names Smoked Citrus Manhattan as 2025 Drink of the Year

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 16:22 GMT by Food & Wine

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Food & Wine’s 2025 Drink of the Year: A Tribute to Seasonal Craftsmanship and Modern Mixology

In a gleaming cocktail glass that has been the subject of countless Instagram feeds, Food & Wine’s editorial board has crowned the Smoked Citrus Manhattan as the 2025 Drink of the Year. The decision, announced last week on the Food & Wine website, followed a meticulous selection process that blended consumer polls, expert panels, and an in‑depth dive into the stories behind the drinks that defined the year.

The Selection Process: From Trend‑Tracking to Taste Testing

Food & Wine’s editorial team began by scouring the 2024 cocktail scene for patterns that were both surprising and enduring. “We were looking for something that not only had a buzz factor but also carried a deeper narrative—whether that was about sustainability, regional ingredients, or the art of flavor balancing,” explained editor-in-chief Melissa Stollman in the article’s lead paragraph.

The process involved three key stages:

1. Reader Polls & Social Media Listening – The magazine tapped into its vast online community to gather votes and hashtags that were trending around the holidays and summer festivals.
2. Expert Panel Tastings – A group of 15 seasoned bartenders, spirits experts, and culinary critics convened in New York for a secret tasting session. Each judge scored drinks on aroma, balance, presentation, and “story potential.”
3. Deep‑Dive Feature Writing – Finally, the editorial writers spent a week shadowing the creators, documenting the craft, and ensuring the winner’s narrative would resonate with readers across the country.

The result? The Smoked Citrus Manhattan, a drink that marries the robust depth of rye whiskey with a subtle, wood‑smoked citrus twist and a whisper of floral bitters.

Meet the Creator: The Story Behind the Drink

The Smoked Citrus Manhattan was conceived by Julian Ortega, the resident bartender at The Ember Room, a trendy speakeasy in Austin, Texas. Ortega’s backstory, chronicled in the article’s “Creator Spotlight” section, is as compelling as his drink itself.

Ortega grew up in a small Southern town where “the nights were filled with stories told over moonlit, smoked‑smoked foods.” He says the cocktail was born from his desire to bring that smoky ambiance into a classic, modern setting. “I wanted to capture the feeling of a campfire by the Texas hill country while still honoring the sophistication of a Manhattan,” he told Food & Wine in an exclusive interview.

For the original recipe, Ortega sourced rye whiskey from a local distillery in Wichita Falls, which also supplied a small batch of smoked orange bitters—a specialty ingredient he created himself. The bitters were infused with dried orange peels, juniper berries, and a subtle hint of mesquite, giving the drink its distinctive smoky undertone.

The Flavor Profile: A Modern Twist on a Classic

The Smoked Citrus Manhattan is built on the familiar foundation of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, but it’s the smoked orange garnish and the addition of a dash of Elderflower Liqueur that set it apart.

Ingredients (for one glass)

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• ¾ oz dry sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes smoked orange bitters
• 1 dash elderflower liqueur
• Orange peel (smoked with a handheld torches)
• A sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish

Method

1. Combine rye, vermouth, bitters, and elderflower in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir for 30 seconds until well chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe.
4. Lightly smoke an orange peel and place it over the glass to release aromatic oils.
5. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

The cocktail is a harmony of warmth and citrus. The rye provides a spicy backbone, the sweet vermouth softens the bite, while the smoked orange peel adds a subtle, caramelized nuance that lingers on the palate. The elderflower liqueur injects a floral brightness that prevents the drink from becoming overly heavy.

Taste Notes
- Aroma: Smoky citrus, with undertones of toasted oak.
- First Sip: A bold rye flavor balanced by the sweet vermouth.
- Mid‑Taste: The smoked orange bitters surface, adding depth.
- Finish: A lingering floral aftertaste from the elderflower and a warm, comforting finish.

Why It Won: Innovation Meets Tradition

Food & Wine’s decision to award the Smoked Citrus Manhattan was rooted in several key criteria:

• Innovation: The infusion of smoked orange bitters was a novel approach that pushed the boundaries of a standard Manhattan.
• Ingredient Sourcing: Ortega’s commitment to local rye and his partnership with a regional distillery highlighted a growing trend toward sustainability and regionalism.
• Narrative Strength: The cocktail’s story—rooted in Southern hospitality, campfire traditions, and a love for the local landscape—offered readers a sense of place and a connection beyond taste.
• Versatility: The drink can be served as a pre‑dinner aperitif or as a post‑meal digestif, appealing to a wide range of palates.

“It’s a drink that feels both rooted in history and forward‑looking,” said Sofia Martinez, a Food & Wine senior editor. “The smoked citrus twist is inventive, and the recipe is straightforward enough for home bartenders to replicate.”

Where to Try It & DIY Variations

If you’re curious to taste the award‑winning cocktail, The Ember Room will be featuring the Smoked Citrus Manhattan on its seasonal menu from January through March. For those wanting to recreate the magic at home, Food & Wine offers a step‑by‑step video tutorial, linked in the article under “Recipe.” The tutorial also recommends a few house‑made alternatives for the smoked orange bitters, including a quick stovetop version that uses orange zest and mesquite chips.

Food & Wine also highlights a few complementary pairings: a charred ribeye steak, roasted root vegetables, or a classic New England clam chowder. These pairings play up the cocktail’s smoky, citrusy profile while respecting the traditional role of a Manhattan as a savory companion.

Related Articles & Further Reading

• “Top 10 Cocktails of 2024” – A Food & Wine feature that tracks the most beloved drinks of the past year.
• “Sustainable Spirits: The Rise of Local Distilleries” – An investigative piece exploring how regional producers are shaping the cocktail landscape.
• “How to Smoke Citrus at Home” – A practical guide for fans who want to bring a little fire into their kitchen.

Each link is embedded within the article to offer readers deeper context and actionable takeaways.

Final Thoughts

The Smoked Citrus Manhattan’s 2025 Drink of the Year honor underscores a broader shift in mixology: a movement that values authenticity, regional storytelling, and thoughtful ingredient pairing. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or a curious home bartender, this award‑winning cocktail provides a template for creating drinks that are both memorable and rooted in the stories of the places they come from.

Next time you’re in a cocktail bar or your kitchen is buzzing with a new recipe, remember that a single, well‑crafted drink can carry an entire season’s worth of flavor, history, and innovation. Cheers to the Smoked Citrus Manhattan—may it inspire many more cocktails to come.