Adding a touch of smoke to your cocktails is a sophisticated way to enhance their aroma and flavor profile, creating a multi-sensory experience for you and your guests. This technique, once reserved for high-end bars, is now accessible for home enthusiasts with the right equipment. A cocktail smoker can impart subtle notes of oak, applewood, or even herbs to your favorite whiskey, rum, or mezcal creations.
The market offers a variety of smokers, from handheld wands that offer precise control to elegant kit sets that make a statement on your bar cart. Whether you prefer a quick infusion for a single glass or a more theatrical presentation, there is a tool designed to meet your mixology needs and help you craft professionally finished drinks at home.
The Best Cocktail Smokers for Your Home Bar
- PolyScience The Smoking Gun Pro Food Smoker
- Portable Smoking Gun Wood Cocktail Smoker
- Breville BSM600SIL the Smoking Gun Wood Smoke Infuser
- Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch and Smoking Board
- Premium 14-Piece Cocktail Smoker Kit with Accessories
- Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch and 6 Wood Chips
- A-MAZE-N AMNTS12 Oval Pellet Tube Smoker
- The Smoking Gun Professional Food & Drink Smoker
- Breville Smoking Gun Pro Food Smoker
PolyScience The Smoking Gun Pro Food Smoker
Often considered the industry standard, the PolyScience Smoking Gun Pro is a favorite among professional chefs and serious home mixologists. Its precision-engineered dial allows you to customize the airflow and smoke intensity, giving you complete control over the flavor infusion process for cocktails, meats, and desserts. This level of adjustment is key for achieving the perfect subtle smokiness without overpowering your drink.
The kit is thoughtfully equipped with everything you need to start smoking immediately, including a nozzle extender hose, batteries, replacement screens, and sample wood chips. Its robust construction and reliable performance make it a long-lasting addition to any home bar, designed for frequent use and consistent results.
Portable Smoking Gun Wood Cocktail Smoker
This handheld smoker emphasizes a natural and healthy approach to smoking, encouraging the use of real wood chips, herbs, and dried flowers instead of artificial flavorings. It is designed to generate cold smoke quickly, infusing your cocktails with authentic aroma in about 30 seconds without applying any heat that could alter the drink’s character.
Weighing only 0.7 pounds, its compact and lightweight design makes it exceptionally portable. You can easily bring it to a backyard picnic or a friend’s gathering, allowing you to create smoked cocktails anywhere. The simplicity of its operation makes it a great choice for those new to cocktail smoking.
Breville BSM600SIL the Smoking Gun Wood Smoke Infuser
Breville brings its signature appliance design quality to the world of smoking with this sleek and functional smoke infuser. It features an integrated stand for stability during use and storage, along with dual air speeds to manage smoke density. The removable burn chamber is made from durable stainless steel, simplifying the cleaning process.
Engineered to be lighter and quieter than many other models, this gun is a pleasure to use indoors. The package includes a long silicone extender hose, providing flexibility when directing smoke under a cloche or into a glass. It’s a well-designed tool for those who appreciate both form and function.
Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch and Smoking Board
For those who enjoy a more hands-on and theatrical presentation, this kit offers a classic approach. Instead of a gun, it uses a handcrafted white oak board where wood chips are placed and ignited with an included torch. This method creates a rich, billowing smoke that can be captured under a glass or in a decanter.
The set comes in a convenient carrying case and includes a selection of three different wood chips to experiment with. This style of smoker is perfect for the bourbon enthusiast looking to add a robust, woody aroma to an Old Fashioned, making the preparation part of the enjoyment.
Premium 14-Piece Cocktail Smoker Kit with Accessories
This comprehensive set is ideal for someone who wants every possible accessory at their fingertips. It includes a smoking gun, a flexible hose, and specialized lids for both wide-mouth glasses and tall cocktail shakers. The inclusion of a cocktail ball made from borosilicate glass allows for smoking individual servings with a modern flair.
With two smoking speeds and seven flavors of wood chips, the variety offered encourages extensive experimentation. The one-button operation keeps the process simple, while the array of tools ensures you have the right piece for any smoking technique you wish to try.
Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch and 6 Wood Chips
This all-in-one boxed set is crafted from high-quality oak wood and presents beautifully, making it an excellent gift option. Beyond cocktails, it is versatile enough for smoking cheeses, meats, and other foods, expanding its utility in your kitchen. The kit includes a refillable torch, six wood chip flavors, and unique additions like stone ice cubes.
The wooden smoker box with a lid is designed to effectively trap smoke, allowing your glass or ingredients to absorb the full flavor. It’s a complete package for someone ready to explore the world of smoking without needing to purchase additional accessories.
A-MAZE-N AMNTS12 Oval Pellet Tube Smoker
This product offers a different approach, functioning as a passive smoker that is perfect for batch preparation. Made of stainless steel, the tube is filled with wood pellets and lit; it will then smolder for up to four hours, producing a consistent stream of cold smoke. This is ideal for smoking a large batch of cocktails or infusing a whole bottle of spirit at once.
While primarily used in grills for food, it can be placed in a large, well-ventilated container with your drinks to achieve a deep, prolonged smoke infusion. It’s a hands-off, efficient tool for those who frequently entertain larger groups.
The Smoking Gun Professional Food & Drink Smoker
This model is a well-regarded option that balances professional performance with user-friendly operation. It is designed to generate a dense, flavorful smoke using a variety of combustibles, from traditional wood chips to more creative options like tea leaves or spices. The design typically includes a reliable motor and a focused nozzle for directing smoke precisely where you want it.
Its reputation is built on consistency and the ability to produce restaurant-quality results in a home setting. For the mixologist who values a straightforward, effective tool without unnecessary complexity, this smoking gun is a solid choice.
Breville Smoking Gun Pro Food Smoker
As a step-up model from Breville, the Pro version is built for enhanced performance and durability. It often features improvements such as a more powerful motor for greater smoke output, refined airflow control, and premium construction materials. These upgrades are aimed at the serious enthusiast or professional who demands the highest level of performance.
This tool is for those who see cocktail smoking not as a novelty, but as an integral part of their craft. The investment in a pro-level model like this one pays off in its longevity, power, and the superior quality of smoke it produces for both drinks and food.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Cocktail Smoker for Your Home Bar
I think adding a cocktail smoker to my home bar setup was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It opens up a whole new world of flavor, allowing me to add a subtle, smoky aroma to my drinks that you just can’t get from spirits alone. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one? I’ve found that focusing on a few key factors makes the choice much easier.
First, consider the method of smoking. The most common type is the handheld smoker, which looks like a little gun with a hose and a chamber. You put wood chips in the chamber, light them, and use the hose to direct the smoke under a cloche or directly into your glass. I find these are incredibly versatile and give me the most control. Then there are smoking boxes or domes that you place directly on the drink. These are often simpler to use but can be a bit less intense. Some people even use smoking guns specifically designed for culinary use, which work just as well for cocktails.
Next, think about the materials and build quality. I always look for something that feels sturdy. A smoker made from stainless steel or another durable metal will last much longer than a cheap plastic one. The last thing I want is for a component to melt or break because it can’t handle the heat. A good seal on the smoking chamber is also crucial for controlling the smoke and ensuring it doesn’t leak out where I don’t want it.
Another big one for me is ease of cleaning. Smoke residue is sticky and can be a pain to scrub off. Models with removable parts that are dishwasher-safe are a huge plus. If I have to spend 20 minutes meticulously cleaning a complex device after every use, I’m much less likely to pull it out on a busy night.
Finally, don’t forget about the wood chips! The type of wood you use defines the flavor. I like to keep a small collection on hand. Hickory and mesquite are strong and bold, perfect for whiskey-based drinks. Applewood and cherry wood offer a sweeter, fruitier smoke that I love with tequila or rum. Alder is a great middle-ground option. The best cocktail smokers for home bars will often come with a small sample pack, but having the flexibility to buy your own preferred chips is a major advantage.
By thinking about how you’ll use it, what it’s made of, how easy it is to maintain, and what flavors you want to create, you can find the perfect tool to add a professional, smoky touch to your home bartending.
FAQ
What types of wood chips are best for smoking cocktails?
I’ve experimented with a lot of different woods, and the “best” really depends on the drink you’re making. For robust spirits like bourbon or Scotch, I prefer strong woods like hickory or oak. For something lighter, like a gin or vodka cocktail, fruitwoods such as apple or cherry are fantastic—they add a sweet, aromatic smoke without overpowering the other ingredients. I always recommend starting with a variety pack to see what you like best before committing to a large bag of a single type.
Can I use a culinary smoking gun for cocktails?
Absolutely. In fact, many of the devices marketed as the best cocktail smokers for home bars are essentially the same as culinary smoking guns. They work on the same principle: generating cool smoke from smoldering wood chips and directing it with a hose. I’ve used my culinary gun for both cheese plates and old fashioneds with great success. Just make sure it’s clean so you don’t end up with savory notes of yesterday’s salmon in your tonight’s negroni.
How do I prevent my smoked cocktail from tasting too bitter?
This is a common issue when you’re first starting out. I found that bitterness usually comes from two things: over-smoking or using the wrong type of wood. You don’t need to fill the entire glass with a thick, dense cloud of smoke. A little goes a long way. A 10-15 second infusion is often plenty. Also, some woods, like mesquite, are naturally more pungent and can become bitter if used for too long. Try a milder wood like apple or alder if you’re running into this problem.
Do I need a special glass or cloche to smoke a cocktail?
While not strictly necessary, a cloche (that bell-shaped lid you often see) is extremely helpful. It traps the smoke so it can infuse into your drink. If you don’t have one, you can use any lid—even a small plate or a shaker tin—to cover your glass while it’s smoking. For a fun presentation, some people smoke the glass itself first, without the liquid, and then build the drink inside the smoked glass. I’ve done this and it works well for a lighter smoke effect.
Is it safe to use a cocktail smoker indoors?
Yes, when used responsibly. These devices are designed for indoor use and produce a relatively small amount of smoke. However, I always make sure to use mine in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from any smoke detectors directly overhead. The smoke is cool, so it’s not a fire hazard in that sense, but you should always place your smoker on a heat-resistant surface and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.