Smoked Bourbon Lemonade

Directions

1. Start by lightly seasoning the lemon halves with Meat Mitch Competition WHOMP! Rub and cane sugar.
2. In a grill/smoker safe sauce pan or cast iron, add 2 cups cane sugar, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon orange bitters.
3. Preheat the grill or smoker to 250 °F, adding Mesquite Smoke-In-A-Can by Steven Raichlen's Project Smoke for extra smoke flavor.
4. Place cane sugar mixture and lemon halves on the grill/smoker for 1 hour. This will enhance the flavor and bring out the juices in the lemon.
5. Add thinly sliced lemon slices the remaining 30 minutes for your garnish.
6. Juice lemons after cooling.
7. In a serving pitcher add the juice from the smoked lemons (should be 6-8 ounces), 2 cups water, and slowly add ½ cup of the smoked simple syrup, tasting until desired sweetness.
8. Add 8 ounces of Straight Bourbon of choice.
9. Stir thoroughly and add ice.
10. Rim tall glasses with lemon and cane sugar.
11. Pour lemonade into glasses, garnish with a thin slice of smoked lemon and enjoy!