How to make smoked vanilla simple syrup

1. Set your smoker to 180 degrees

   Which wood you use is entirely up to you. I went with oak to get a true smokey flavor without any additional sweetness. If you want something with more flavor, cherry would go well with the vanilla beans.

2. Add sugar and water

   Mix sugar and water with a 1:1 ratio and gently mix.

3. Add Vanilla bean

   Split a whole vanilla bean and scrape the bean paste with your knife blade. Use a 2" piece of the bean for every cup of water. Add the paste and the bean pod to the pan and stir with a wish.

4. Smoke the syrup

   Smoke the syrup for two hours, whisking every thirty minutes. For a smokier flavor, add 30 minutes to your smoke time and check for the desired flavor.

5. Cool and strain

   Allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Pour the syrup into a bottle and add the bean pods. Place a lid or pour spout on the bottle and refrigerate overnight. Enjoy!