10 Best Cocktail Smoker Picks to Add Flavor to Your Drinks

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Every host should have a few party tricks up their sleeve to keep a function moving. A simple spread of food and good music won’t cut it if your guests came for the drinks. When hosting cocktail parties, one’s ability to curate a mean beverage menu is make-or-break.

If you’re planning to take your cocktail party to the next level, then you should try smoking cocktails that are sure-fire stunners on a bar. Read on to know more about cocktail smokers and how to use them.

What Are Cocktail Smokers?

You’re probably wondering right now what a cocktail smoker is. Cocktail smokers are devices that add visual smoke and flavor to any cocktail drink. Though they come in different set-ups, they usually have a smoking gun and wood chips to bring out in-depth flavor.

As said by sensory scientist Marcia Pelchat, “most of the flavor of smoke is smell.” This is why investing time and effort in learning how a cocktail smoker works can give more depth and layer to your drinks. Adding layers to your drinks allows you to taste a combination of alluring notes and aromas, while introducing new flavor profiles.

For most garden parties, cocktails can be a way to celebrate a special occasion or complement a nice meal with family and friends. Using a cocktail smoker can impart mouthwatering, nuanced flavors to drinks as the subtleness of smoke completes the overall taste and experience.

For these reasons, a cocktail smoker is the best and easiest appliance to use to impress your family and friends. The greatest thing about this is that you can buy a cocktail smoker set that does not require any form of fire to produce smoke.

Aside from giving your drinks a sophisticated, smoky flavor, cocktail smokers also give cocktails an elevated look that will entertain your guests. You get to serve a wide array of exciting cocktail mixes fit for different kinds of preferences.

Ingredients to Use When Smoking Cocktails

If you think that cocktail smokers are reserved for the most advanced mixologists only, think again. Even at-home baristas can create exciting cocktails using these devices.

As cocktail smokers are extremely versatile pieces of bar equipment, there are innumerable ways to achieve the best results. You can opt for wood chips/shavings, which are widely used, or you can char whole spices and nuts using a blowtorch to top your cocktails. This method is called smoked/torched garnish.

You can also use teas, tobaccos, and woody herbs like lavender and rosemary when smoking drinks to give them heavy and earthy notes. Nonetheless, a little trial-and-error would help so you can better understand cocktail components, as well as master balance and flavor.

How to Smoke a Cocktail at Home

Aside from smoke-torching spices and other garnishes stated above, you can also perform the process of smoke-rinsing the glass. This DIY cocktail smoker method gives the lightest smoke flavor to any drink. To do this, just follow this quick guide:

1. Chill the glass first as smoke tends to stick in cold objects.
2. Before pouring the cocktail into the glass, take whatever you want to use for smoke and light it on fire.
3. Cover the smoking garnish or wood shavings with the refrigerated glass so the smoke can cling to the interior.
4. When the smoke dissipates, pour the cocktail into the glass.

Now, if you think this is too much for a beginner, you can use a cocktail smoker kit for a more leisurely smoked-drink. Using these kits will often result in a more robust aroma as you will not just be smoking the glass but also the cocktail itself. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use a cocktail smoker and smoking gun. Do note that procedures can vary depending on the type and usage.

1. Mix your cocktail and pour it into the glass.
2. Place the drink inside the chamber. You can use a bow with cling wrap, a glass dome, or even a zip lock bag.
3. Pour wood chips or your choice of combustible material into the smoking gun, then ignite it using a torch.
4. Turn the gun on, then place the hose into the chamber. It’s always good to start with a bit of smoke then gradually increase the setting depending on the flavor you want to achieve.
5. Once done, serve.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Cocktail Smoker

Now that you know how to prepare your party drinks, it’s time to examine if a cocktail smoker is worth the investment. Here are a few factors to consider –

Versatility

Smoking food has been a thing since the 1800s, but it was only until 2007 that people tried smoking alcoholic drinks. But who knew that a cocktail smoker could also be used to smoke meat and cheese? Cocktail smokers that come with smoking guns and lids are the best example of devices that offer more than just one function. After all, a cluttered and cramped kitchen slows you down. So having an all-in-one cocktail smoker helps save space and money in exchange for convenience and functionality.

Portability

Kickstart the party anywhere and anytime with a portable cocktail smoker. Whether you’re traveling to the beach, to a friend’s house, or on vacation, you can stir up any concoction to make every moment fun and memorable. Also, portable models tend to be more space-saving and lightweight, so these devices almost guarantee pure convenience.

Power Source

Guests love attending parties with free-flowing drinks. As such, it’s essential to invest in a cocktail smoker with a reliable and long-lasting battery life. Generally, cheap smokers tend to be powered by AA batteries and are great for small gatherings and occasions. However, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which are known to last during nightlong celebrations, are still your best bet.

Advanced Features

If you want to step up your at-home bartender skills, then having impressive specs on your cocktail smoker can help you achieve that. Some cocktail smoker kits have a smoking gun, dome lid, and a controller that lets you administer the amount and intensity of smoke. Some models may also offer easy disassembling and are dishwasher-safe.

Price

The functionality of a cocktail smoker dramatically affects its price. For instance, a cocktail smoke top is cheaper than a smoking gun. The former is only applicable to smoking cocktails, while you can smoke meat, cheese, fish, and basically anything with a smoking gun. Believe it or not, it’s actually easy to smoke a cocktail if you have the perseverance to do it. If you’re on a budget, you can snatch a chamber, ziplock bag, or any item that can lock in the smoke. Grab wood chips and a butane torch, and voila, you have a very own DIY cocktail smoker!

Best Cocktail Smoker Picks

1. HOEEZ Cocktail Smoker Kit with Wood Chips

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Completely change the way you drink cocktails with this cocktail smoker kit from HOEEZ. It’s exquisitely designed to be small and handy, so you can create a smokin’ drink wherever and whenever you want. You wouldn’t even have a problem with variation since this pack has four flavored wood chips: apple, pecan, cherry, and oak wood.

2. Stainless Steel and Glass Smoking Box with Handheld Smoker

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If you enjoy adding flair to your drinks and home bar, then this glass smoking box will surely knock your guests’ socks off! Besides being able to demonstrate the process of smoking drinks in live-action, this is cocktail smoker set promises dramatic and interactive entertainment in the form of double-sided pass-through doors. It also works wonders in the kitchen when smoking meats and cheeses.

3. TAIGIN Cocktail Smoker

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Recreating the authentic cocktail experience can now be done at home thanks to this cocktail smoker from TAIGIN. Party guests will be thrilled at the sight of their drinks getting infused with smoke. With this cocktail smoker, you will have a beautiful service piece to give drinks and spirits the lightest touch of smoke that adds aroma, flavor, and a fancy presentation like a word-class bartender.

Read also: 9 Amazing Smoker Thermostat For 2024

4. TMKEFFC Smoking Gun Food Smoker and Tools Set

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If having a cocktail shaker, strainer, spoons, jiggers, mats, and coasters makes you think that you’re all set for creating a bar at home, then you’re a bit mistaken. Though it may be optional, having a cocktail smoker drastically changes your game behind the counter. Take this cocktail smoker set, for example. You can achieve an authentic smokey taste in just minutes and benefit from its sleek design that’ll fit any setting and decor in your home.

5. Smoking Gun Accessory Set

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Amaze your guests with a cascading waterfall of culinary smoke. With its tall cloche, you can masterfully smoke and create a killer presentation. Best of all, this cocktail smoker set comes with seven flavors of wood chips fit for any professional bartender and aspiring home mixologist who wants to experiment with notes and aromas.

6. SmokeTop Cocktail Smoker Kit

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Change the way you serve drinks by adding a little smoke. This can be done quickly with the SmokeTop cocktail smoker kit. Though this smoke top is known for being small and compact, it is designed to fit on top of your mixing glass and your shaker. This quality makes it an excellent choice when serving multiple beverages. You can also use the bevel on the smoke top to smoke your garnish simultaneously.

7. Gramercy Kitchen Company Cocktail Smoker

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Looking for an all-in-one cocktail smoker is definitely not a walk in the park. But don’t worry because here comes the Gramercy Kitchen Company cocktail smoker. You can now smoke drinks like a pro in the comfort of your own home, thanks to its simple yet elegant design that delivers optimal smoky results. Best of all, you’ll also receive a downloadable recipe guide, so you get endless food and beverage ideas for your next gathering.

Read more: How To Build A Smoker Out Of Brick

8. Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch

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Offer an extra layer of sophistication to your cocktail drinks by using a cocktail smoker like this one from TAIGIN. Apart from the tender, smoky flavor, this cocktail smoker introduces an appealing visual experience that takes drinking at parties to another level. What’s more, it’s portable! So you can enjoy a refreshing glass anytime and anywhere your heart desires!

9. Cocktail Smoker Kit with Cocktail Smoker & Wood Chips

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Craft the best cocktails with this kit by Ianccona. Unlike other cocktail smokers, this smoker kit’s smoke top comes with a lid to ensure that no smoke can escape – leaving you with a robust and aromatic drink to enjoy. It also smokes drinks in seconds so you can keep the party going.

10. GoLife Cocktail Smoker Kit with Wood Chips & Cocktail Smoker

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Reinvigorate plain drinks with the GoLife cocktail smoker kit! It will surely add complexity and depth to your alcohol and spirits. But unlike typical smoke tops which you put on top of the glass, you can turn this upside-down. Not only is this appliance perfect for smoking empty glasses, it helps you create varying smoke intensities leaving you and your guests with a pleasurable cocktail experience.

With these cocktail smoker picks, a refreshing beverage can be made in seconds, even if you’re just an at-home barista. Put your skills, new tools, and love for alcohol on display in front of all your guests to leave a long-lasting positive impression.

Speaking of fun times and alcoholic drinks, you can check these wine storage ideas to enhance the overall look of your place and better preserve your wines’ flavors and aromas.