How to get a good fragrance from burnt rosemary?

Question

There's a particular cocktail I'm trying to produce which has a garnish of burnt fresh rosemary. Properly done, the rosemary is burnt with a torch to release some very fragrant, herbal smoke.

However when trying to do this at home, I get smoke that smells like...just smoke. Very little rosemary fragrance.

What's the trick to getting the rosemary aroma to come through?

What's your source of rosemary? Adding that to the question may help folks help you. — FuzzyChef, Jun 28 '19 at 03:14
@FuzzyChef Why? Is very freshly picked rosemary essential? Sounds like an answer to me. — Phil Frost, Jun 28 '19 at 17:09
I suspect that you're burning it too much. It's just a guess (so not an answer), and I'd test it only I'm currently damaged and in no fit state for experiments — Chris H, Jun 28 '19 at 18:06
Phil: because I wasn't sure how fresh it was. If it's dried out, I can see it burning before it gives off any scent. I wasn't going to post that as an answer, though, because I haven't tried it myself. — FuzzyChef, Jun 28 '19 at 22:39

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 05 '19 at 11:22

You need fresh rosemary and give it a quick char and not allow it to burn. That's sort of the same technique of using a blowtorch for crème brulée and the same "doneness" of charred vegetables - caramelized but not burnt

If you're smelling smoke, it is already too burnt to use.

How to get a good fragrance from burnt rosemary?

1 Answers1