Best Cocktail Smokers: Elevate Your Home Bartending Game
Smoking cocktails used to be a technique reserved for fancy bars with skilled mixologists. However, nowadays, you can easily smoke your cocktails at home with the help of a cocktail smoker. The basic idea behind a cocktail smoker is simple: you add some kind of combustible wood chip or sawdust into the device, light it, and allow the smoke to infuse your drink. This can add layers of savory flavors to your favorite cocktails, and the result depends on the type of wood you use and how long you smoke the drink.
With the wide variety of smoking tools and kits available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the best one for your needs. To help you out, we have home-tested the top brands and selected our favorites based on attributes such as ease of use, quality of materials, effectiveness, and overall value. In this article, we will break down the best cocktail smokers in the market, including our top pick for the best overall option.
Best Budget
If you're looking for an affordable smoking gun option, the TMKEFFC smoking gun is a great entry-level option that won't break the bank. This small, battery-operated unit is perfect for infusing your cocktails with rich campfire flavors without spending a lot of money.
One of the advantages of this budget option is that it includes everything you need to get started. However, keep in mind that this unit is only usable with cocktails, and it may not be as high quality as other smoking gun models.
During testing, we found that the TMKEFFC smoking gun was easy to use once we got past some initial challenges with the instructions. The unit comes packaged in a budget manner, with just cardboard and brown paper wrapping each part, and the woodchips are packaged in a small plastic bag. Also, batteries are not included and must be purchased separately.
One of the features we liked about this smoking gun is the small plate with a fan that can be placed over the drink. This allows you to smoke a complete cocktail without having to flip the glass over or place the tube in your shaker tin.
Overall, the TMKEFFC smoking gun is a great bang for your buck option that is easily portable and perfect for those looking for an affordable smoking gun option to enhance their cocktail game.
Best Showstopper
If you're looking to impress your guests with some showmanship while making cocktails, the smoking gun and glass cloche kit is the perfect addition to your bar. Made from black walnut and glass, this kit is not only stylish but also functional.
One of the pros of this kit is that it is large enough to accommodate several cocktails at once. The spacious cloche can fit not just Old Fashioned glasses but also coupes, Martini glasses, highball glasses, and other cocktail vessels. This means you can smoke multiple drinks at once, making it perfect for entertaining guests.
Another advantage of this kit is its excellent showmanship. As soon as you flip the switch, it pours out smooth, consistent smoke, adding layers of intensity to the cocktail. The smoke is consistent, and the gun easily attaches to the box, making it easy to fill the inside with smoke.
However, one of the cons of this kit is that it takes up a lot of space. Additionally, the tube kinks easily, which may cause some inconvenience.
In terms of fuel source, this kit uses a match or lighter, and its power source is batteries. It is not portable, so it's best suited for use in a home bar.
Overall, if you're looking for a showstopper to impress your guests, the smoking gun and glass cloche kit is the best choice. Its stylish design, spacious cloche, and excellent showmanship make it the perfect addition to any home bar.
Best Kit
If you want to add a smoky flavor to your cocktails, the Mitbak Cocktail Smoking Kit is a great option. This kit includes everything you need to smoke your cocktails, including a smoke infuser, smoking gun, wood chips, dome lid, and recharger cable.
One of the best features of this kit is how easy it is to use. Simply place your glass or plate under the dome, rev up the gun, light the wood, and within seconds, you'll have big pillows of smoke. There's almost no learning curve to using it, and the unit is adaptable for cocktails and food.
We found the packaging to be incredibly thoughtful and sturdy. Everything was carefully placed in specific spaces in Styrofoam, and the box doubles as a place to store the smoker when not using it.
While this kit ranks up with some of the other options in terms of cost, we consider it worth it. You don't need to buy any supplemental equipment as it all comes as part of a set, and the quality of the materials is very good.
However, the cloche is not large enough for highballs or coupes, and the quality of the chips could be better. Also, this kit is not easily transportable.
In summary, if you're looking for an easy-to-use cocktail smoking kit that includes everything you need, the Mitbak Cocktail Smoking Kit is a great choice. It's effective, adaptable, and worth the cost.
Best Compact
If you're looking for a smoking kit that is easy to use and doesn't require a lot of space, Smoke Boards is a great option. This kit comes with a carrying case, making it easy to bring with you to backyard barbecues or other events. Plus, it includes everything you need to get started, so there's no learning curve.
One of the best things about this kit is that it's compact and can be easily stored away when not in use. The butane torch can be a bit difficult to use at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's efficient and reliable. It's important to note that butane can be dangerous to use, so it's important to proceed with caution.
Smoke Boards is powered by butane and is easily portable, making it a great option for those who want to experiment with smoked cocktails at home. However, it's important to note that this kit can't be used with food.
Overall, if you're looking for a compact and easy-to-use smoking kit, Smoke Boards is a great option. With its carrying case and variety of wood chips, you'll have everything you need to create your own smoked cocktail concoctions.
Best for Cocktails
If you're looking for a smoking box that can also hold your drink, the Oklahoma Joe's smoking box is a great option. Made with the same white oak used for whiskey and bourbon barrels, it's a sturdy and beautifully grained unit that is carefully constructed.
The fuel tray slides out for easy access to your wood chips, and the door is designed for easy access. It's compact and portable, making it a great choice for taking on the go. However, note that it does not come with wood chips, and it can only hold one drink at a time.
During testing, our tester found it somewhat difficult to light the chips, as they were not included and had to be borrowed from another unit. She tried using a butane torch and a match, but still had trouble getting a consistent burn. Despite this, she appreciated the appearance of the smoking box and the fact that it kept the smoke contained.
Overall, if you're looking for a smoking box that can also hold your drink and is portable enough to take with you, the Oklahoma Joe's smoking box is a great choice. Just make sure to have your own wood chips on hand.
| Fuel Source | Power Source | Portability |
|---|---|---|
| Match/lighter | N/A | Easily |
Related: [The Best Flasks](insert link)
Final Verdict
If you're looking for a high-quality and efficient cocktail smoker, the Breville Smoking Gun Food Smoker is the best option on the market. While it may not be the cheapest, this device is easy to use, easy to clean, and perfect for both experienced mixologists and novice home bartenders. Its compact size makes it a great addition to any bar, and its ability to infuse smoky flavors into cocktails makes it a must-have for crafting creative drinks. Overall, the Breville Smoking Gun Food Smoker is a top-notch choice for any cocktail enthusiast.
Our Testing Process
When evaluating the best cocktail smokers on the market, we took a rigorous approach to ensure that we were providing our readers with the most accurate and reliable information possible. After carefully selecting the products to be tested, we sent each one directly to our writer for at-home testing.
Using a comprehensive list of methodologies, we rated each item on a number of key attributes tailored to each category. These included the ease of use, quality of materials, and effectiveness when smoking a cocktail. We also considered the overall value of the unit and whether the price reflected its level of productivity.
Throughout the testing process, our writer provided personal feedback and captured photos of the items in use, giving readers a firsthand look at each product's performance. Our testing process was designed to be thorough and unbiased, ensuring that our readers can trust our recommendations when choosing the best cocktail smoker for their needs.
What to Look For in a Cocktail Smoker
If you're in the market for a cocktail smoker, there are a few things to consider before making a purchase. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
What’s Included
Before buying a cocktail smoker, it's important to check what's included in the package. Some cocktail smokers come as a complete kit, while others only include the device itself. It's recommended to opt for a kit that includes all the necessary accessories, such as wood chips, a board, or a dome, to ensure that you have everything you need to get started.
Size
Cocktail smokers come in a variety of sizes, from handheld devices to larger setups that require more equipment and accessories. If you plan on using the smoker mostly at home, size may not be an issue. However, if you're looking for a portable option, a smaller handheld device may be more suitable. Consider your needs and preferences before making a decision.
Power Options
Most modern cocktail smokers come with their own ignition system and are rechargeable. The power options vary, with some smokers having a USB cable port, others needing to be plugged into a wall outlet, and some requiring batteries. It's important to choose a power option that is convenient for you and fits your lifestyle.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can choose a cocktail smoker that is perfect for your needs and preferences.
FAQs
How safe is using a cocktail smoker?
Using a cocktail smoker is safe as long as you follow the instructions. Always make sure to extinguish the wood chips before discarding them and light the smoker in a well-ventilated area.
How do you clean and maintain a cocktail smoker?
It is important to periodically clean the outside of the smoker. Additionally, you may need to replace the screen that holds the wood chips as it can become dirty or damaged over time. Some cocktail smokers come with replacement screens, while others require you to order them separately.
How long does a cocktail smoker last?
With proper cleaning and care, a good quality cocktail smoker can last for several years.
How often do you need to replace wood chips?
The frequency of replacing wood chips depends on how often you use your smoker. However, a bag of wood chips should last for at least a few months as only a small amount is used at a time.
What type of alcohol works best for cocktail smokers?
Dark liquors such as bourbon, Scotch, and whiskey are ideal for making smoked cocktails.
What other uses does a cocktail smoker have?
In addition to smoking cocktails, a cocktail smoker can also be used to smoke food. However, it is important to ensure that the smoker is large enough to accommodate the food and that the flavor of the wood chips complements the dish.
Featured image courtesy of Foodandwine.com
