The Gandalf's Smoke Ring is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, bartender of the retired Instagram account Sips From Scripts, as part of a series of The Lord of the Rings recipes made in honor of the release of The Rings of Power, a prequel to the original movie trilogy. As is implied by the name, the recipe was inspired by Gandalf The White and his proclivity for forming rings while smoking his iconic long wooden pipe. As a nod to the character, it involves a smoky whisky and brandy base and pairs them with white tea syrup, earthy tree-flavored bitters, a hint of cinnamon, and pipe tobacco for an additional wow factor.
Add brandy, whisky, white tea syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass.
Fill mixing glass with cubed ice.
Using a bar spoon, stir for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted.
Add a clear ice cube to a lowball glass.
Using a julep strainer, strain into lowball glass.
Add pipe tobacco to the burn chamber of a smoking gun, light, and discharge smoke into glass.
Garnish with cinnamon stick.