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Our top pick, the Higher Order Drink Smoking Starter Kit, comes in smoking hot with its premium quality and handy tools. So, let's explore the perfect balance of smoke and spirits for your next happy hour!

Get ready to add a smoky twist to your cocktails with cocktail smokers! Imagine the aroma of rich, smoldering wood infusing your favorite drinks, elevating your mixology game, and impressing your friends and family. In this guide, we'll dive into the world of the finest cocktail smokers of 2024, exploring how these innovative devices can enhance the flavors and presentation of your beverages.

A Buyer’s Guide to Cocktail Smokers

Food and drinks are the biggest components of living a healthy life, which is why picking something that experiences such close encounters with what you eat and drink can be a little tricky. This buyer’s guide will help you understand what to look for in a cocktail smoker so that you can make the best choice for your home bar and smoking needs.

Things To Look For in Cocktail Smokers

Power source

The three main options for powering your smokers are electric, battery-operated, or combustion (wood-burning). Electric smokers are the most popular choice because they’re easy to use and are more affordable than other options. However, battery-operated smokers offer portability and can be used anywhere.

Construction

When it comes to construction, you want to ensure that the smoker is made from high-quality materials. As the smoker's body takes the most wear and tear, it needs to be durable and made from scratch-free, heat-resistant materials. For the heating elements, ceramic is an excellent durable option.

Features

There are quite a few features that you may want to look for in a cocktail smoker. One feature becoming increasingly popular is the ability to use wood chips or pellets. This allows you to infuse your food or drink with different flavors. Some smokers also come with temperature control. This feature allows you to set the smoker's temperature so that your food or drink is smoked at the perfect temperature. Automatic shut-off is an amazing feature found in higher-end devices. This feature ensures that the smoker will turn off automatically when the smoking process is complete.

Portability

If you plan to take your smoker to events or camping trips, portability is important. Some smokers are designed to be lightweight and easy to transport, while others are bulkier and can be challenging to move. When choosing a smoker, be sure to consider how easy it is to set up and take down and how much space it will take up in your vehicle.

Size

Size is another important consideration when choosing a cocktail smoker. The size of the smoker allows you to smoke larger quantities of drinks. If you’re constantly hosting large parties, opting for a bigger smoker will save you the time and trouble of going through multiple portions. However, if you only plan on smoking for smaller groups or individual use, a smaller-sized smoker will suffice.

Impact on flavor

When choosing a cocktail smoker, the most important thing to consider is how it will impact the flavor of your drinks. Some smokers add a smoky flavor to your cocktails, while others simply infuse them with wood smoke. If you’re looking for a smoky flavor, make sure to choose a smoker that uses real wood chips or pellets. Any type of smoker will work if you want to infuse your cocktails with a more subtle wood-smoke flavor.

Top Picks

  • Easy To Use: Homia Wood Smoke Infuser
  • Most Versatile: Thousand Oaks Barrel Cocktail Smoker
  • Most Portable: Polyscience Breville Cocktail Smoker
  • Best For Beginners: Gramercy Kitchen Cocktail Smoker
  • Best Value: Tmkeffc Cocktails Smoker
  • Best Overall: Higher Order Drink Smoking Starter Kit

Reviews

Easy to Use
homia wood smoke infuser

Homia Wood Smoke Infuser

Pros Cons
  • Multiple price points
  • Extendable pipe with good reach
  • Comes with wood chip storage jars
  • Smoke tends to escape via the cover
Most Versatile
thousand oaks barrel cocktail smoker

Thousand Oaks Barrel Cocktail Smoker

Pros Cons
  • Comes with a cleaning tool
  • Fragrant and flavored wood chips
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Not enough wood chips
Most Portable
polyscience breville cocktail smoker

Polyscience Breville Cocktail Smoker

Pros Cons
  • Can smoke any food or drink item
  • Uses a minimal amount of wood chips
  • Customizable smoke intensity
  • Doesn’t have an infuser lid
Best for Beginners
gramercy kitchen cocktail smoker

Gramercy Kitchen Cocktail Smoker

Pros Cons
  • Aesthetic and sleek design
  • The glass covering traps in smoke
  • Comes with cleaning accessories
  • Does not come with an infuser lid
Best Value
tmkeffc cocktails smoker

Tmkeffc Cocktails Smoker

Pros Cons
  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Comes with a glass cover to keep smoke in
  • Includes four sample wood chips
  • Only smokes one glass per turn
Best Overall
higher order drink smoking starter kit

Higher Order Drink Smoking Starter Kit

Pros Cons
  • High-quality product
  • Ideal unique gift
  • Efficient smoke infusing
  • Product is not drop-resistant

FAQs

Are cocktails smokers safe to use indoors?
Cocktail smokers can be used indoors, but it is important to ensure that the area is well-ventilated. The smoke from the smoker can be irritating to the eyes and lungs, so it is important to have plenty of fresh air available.
What wood is best to use?
As different types of woods provide different flavors, the answer to this question depends entirely on your personal preference. Common woods used for cocktail smoking include hickory, mesquite, and apple.
Can I use a cocktail smoker to smoke food?
Yes, you can use a cocktail smoker to smoke food. However, it is important to ensure that the smoker is large enough to accommodate the food you want to smoke. Additionally, it is important to choose wood chips or pellets that will infuse the food with the flavor you desire.