We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. What to Buy Bar & Drinks The 7 Best Cocktail Smokers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Level up your mixology by adding woodsy flavor to drinks with these clever machines. By Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a freelance Commerce Writer at Food & Wine, specializing in product reviews and roundups. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Bon Appétit, Entrepreneur and Realtor.com, among other print and digital titles. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines and Christa Glennie Christa Glennie Christa Glennie is a former restaurant professional who has logged nearly two decades as a writer and editor covering people and trends in food, drink, dining, and agriculture. She's the food editor of Buffalo Spree magazine and has published work in Food & Wine, USA Today, Feast and Field, and more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 2, 2024 In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOur Favorite Cocktail Smoker How We Tested Cocktail Smokers Factors to Consider FAQ Other Cocktail Smokers We Tested Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine / Will Dickey Sitting down to a delicious cocktail is a satisfying experience under any circumstance, but sitting down to a cocktail billowing fragrant smoke, each sip more complex than the last? That's the kind of thing cocktail enthusiasts pay big bucks for at high-end bars. But it's also the kind of thing you can now do at home. Inspired by the popularity of house-smoked cocktails, there are a variety of devices out there for capturing the essence of burning wood and directing it into your drink. Thanks to these clever machines, a cherrywood-smoked cherry Negroni or applewood-smoked cider cocktail is easily within your grasp. The best cocktail smokers are good for more than just drinks, too. They produce room-temperature smoke that can infuse ingredients without cooking them. You can make your own smoked gouda for this unique carbonara recipe or just everyday snacking. You can add smoke to meat, fish, and veggies, before or after cooking. And you won't — in theory — have to worry about setting off any fire alarms. From smoking boxes that hold a single glass to smoking guns that can direct the flavor anywhere, to all-inclusive sets, we tested 22 of the best cocktail smokers to figure out which ones are worth investing in. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Breville The Smoking Gun Pro at Amazon ($126) Jump to Review Best Value: TMKEFFC Portable Smoking Gun at Amazon ($34) Jump to Review Best for Rocks Cocktails: Aged and Charred Smoke Top Lid Cocktail Smoker Kit at Agedandcharred.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Versatile: Breville The Smoking Gun at Amazon ($71) Jump to Review Best with Cloche: Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Smoking Cloche at Amazon ($240) Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Mitbak Smoking Gun with Dome Lid and Woodchips at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best Smoking Box: Oklahoma Joe’s Cocktail Smoking Box at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Overall Breville The Smoking Gun Pro PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey $126 At Amazon $150 At Williams-Sonoma View On Breville.com Pros We think there’s no competition for this perfectly sized, versatile smoker that’s easy to operate. Cons It's one of the most expensive options out there and doesn't come with many accessories. Designed for professionals and commercial kitchens, this cocktail smoker is a beautiful marriage of ergonomic simplicity and high-performance durability. The Smoking Gun Pro features a large burn chamber, with an adjustable fan to control the smoke level and a flexible nozzle that will direct smoke wherever its flavor needs to be. You can create perfectly smoked cocktails for more than one — even an entire dinner party. Other cocktail smokers were complicated to set up, but we found this one fairly intuitive to assemble, use, and clean — all very important factors. It added subtle flavor to our test old fashioned, making the cocktail more complex without turning it acrid. We love how versatile the Smoking Gun Pro is. It's small enough to be highly portable, and the long nozzle can be used with cocktail glasses, full-size bottles, cloches, or any other application where you can imagine integrating smoke. (You can even make smoked egg whites or butter by pointing the hose into the bowl of a stand mixer while you whip up the ingredients.) Our main issue is that this appliance is fairly expensive, and it doesn't include accessories that other models do. It doesn't come with a cloche or any other sort of container, and you'll have to provide your own stick lighter or butane torch to get the wood going. On the other hand, you can use it almost anywhere, with almost any sort of vessel, and those lighters are very cheap. (You can also buy an official Smoking Gun Pro cloche if you have some money to burn.) Dimensions: 5.75 x 3.25 x 6.75 inches | Power Source: 4 AA batteries | Accessories: 17.5-inch extender hose, wood samples (apple and hickory) Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Best Value TMKEFFC Portable Smoking Gun PHOTO: Amazon $34 At Amazon Pros This impressively inexpensive smoker works well and includes a multipurpose cover. Cons It can provide only subtle smoke taste, and it's tough to clean. We tested a number of low-cost knockoffs of Breville's Smoking Gun, and this one stood high above the rest. It has the same kind of versatile flexible-hose setup and was able to nearly fill our old fashioned glass with smoke in 10 seconds. The hose is a bit shorter and its fan has a bit less power the the Breville models, but it costs less than half as much. The TMKEFFC's most unique and useful accessory is flat smoking lid that can sit atop almost any shape of cocktail glass, as well as smaller mixing bowls and most storage containers. It doesn't look quite as elegant as a domed cloche, but it does the job nicely. Its low power, however, makes for more subtle flavor. It can't pump huge smoke levels into food and drinks, so if that's what you need you should look elsewhere. The other major issue with this machine is that it's tough to clean. It doesn't disassemble like other models, and it's hard to get at all the parts and screens while they're still attached to the body. Dimensions: 3 x 2.9 x 6.6 inches | Power Source: 2 AA batteries | Accessories: rubber tube, cup cover, wood sample (hickory), cleaning brush Food and Wine / Will Dickey Food and Wine / Will Dickey Food and Wine / Will Dickey Food and Wine / Will Dickey Food and Wine / Will Dickey Best for Rocks Cocktails Aged and Charred Smoke Top Lid Cocktail Smoker Kit PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey View On Agedandcharred.com Pros This is an all-inclusive set perfect for adding smoky flavor and character to anything in a rocks glass. Cons It lacks versatility and can only smoke one drink at a time. This kit comes equipped with a tapered oak lid that fits atop most any size old fashioned glass, with a chamber in the middle for wood shavings. You use the included butane torch to light the fuel, and thick, aromatic smoke pours down into the glass below. We were impressed with the volume of smoke this produced in testing and the ease with which the simple device works. The smoke took a long time to dissipate, giving a nice pronounced flavor to our test cocktail — it's a choice for people who like their smoky flavor on the more intense side. Cleanup is easy with this device as well, as you just have to remove the screen, brush it off (a brush is included), and dump the ashes into the trash. We appreciate how complete of a kit Aged and Charred put together here: You also get good-sized jars of wood, an extra screen, and a bottle of extra butane, enough to last quite a while. It makes a great gift that won't require the recipient to buy any extra equipment. Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.25 inches | Power Source: butane torch | Accessories: butane torch, butane fuel, 2 screens, brush, wood samples (oak, apple, hickory, cherry) Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Best Versatile Breville The Smoking Gun PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey $71 At Amazon $100 At Williams-Sonoma $100 At Sur La Table Pros This intuitive device can be a flavor-adding chameleon in the kitchen or bar cart. Cons We wish some more accessories were included at this price point. The original Smoking Gun is pretty much the device that introduced the world to tabletop-smoked cocktails, and it's still a favorite among chefs and mixologists. It's much like the Smoking Gun Pro above, only with a smaller capacity and a non-adjustable fan, for about a third less money. The secret to the Smoking Gun's versatility is the flexible silicone tube that attaches to the front and can bring smoke anywhere you need it. Besides drinks, you can use it for things like smoking meat while it marinates, making a baked ribs recipe more barbecue-like. The smoke is cool, so you can even infuse ice cream, cheese, or fresh fruit. You can also replace wood chips with tea, spices, and other aromatic ingredients for a whole world of possibilities. In our old fashioned test, the Smoking Gun produced a delicious cocktail with subtle depth more than intense smoke. It performed just about equally to the upgraded Pro, but it can't produce as much smoke with each fill of the chamber. In the end, we decided the larger model is worth the extra price, but you really can't go wrong either way. Dimensions: 5 x 2.5 x 6.5 inches | Power Source: 4 AA batteries | Accessories: 17.5-inch extender hose, wood samples (apple and hickory) Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Best with Cloche Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Smoking Cloche PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey $240 At Amazon $250 At Williams-Sonoma $240 At Sur La Table Pros Turn smoking into a tableside show with this elegant device. Cons It's quite expensive, and it produces heavy smoke that may be too intense a flavor. Tableside smoking is as much for show as it is about adding flavor, and this gorgeous device lets everybody watch the infusion process while the smoke remains contained under glass. The walnut base has a glass lid that's 9 inches wide and 11 tall, more than enough to fit even extra-tall glassware, like highball glasses. The fuel burns in a device quite similar to Breville's Smoking Gun, with a flexible tube that connects to the cloche base or can be used anywhere else. We got a lot of thick, heavy, lingering smoke with the Crafthouse, which is good for some situations but not necessarily all of them. Unfortunately, the smoker itself doesn't have adjustable controls, so that's your only option. It's also the single most expensive smoker we tested, though that price includes a nice serving tray with a glass dome you can use independently from the smoker. Dimensions (cloche): 9.25 x 9.25 x 11 inches | Power Source: 4 AA batteries | Accessories: cloche, wood base, detachable hose Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey The 40 Best Gifts for Cocktail Lovers, According to Bartenders Best for Beginners Mitbak Smoking Gun with Dome Lid and Woodchips PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey $70 At Amazon Pros This device is easy, adjustable, and includes a glass cloche, all at a reasonable price. Cons The small cloche doesn't include a base, and the highest smoke setting is too intense. The Mitbak smoker kit includes everything a curious cook or cocktail enthusiast needs to get started. You get a gun-style smoker with flexible tube (and a rechargeable battery — no AAs needed), some wood chips, and a glass cloche, all for a lower-than-average price. It's easy to assemble and disassemble, and the wood chamber is even dishwasher-safe. The smoker has three settings, which is great because the highest setting was very intense and left us coughing. The cloche makes a good seal with the smoke hose, but it doesn't include a base; you'll want to place it atop a dinner plate or cutting board rather than a bare table or countertop. The dome is also fairly undersized and can only fit a short cocktail glass or small amount of food. Dimensions: 17.68 x 12.13 x 5.16 inches | Power Source: rechargeable battery | Accessories: dome lid, detachable hose, charging cable, wood samples Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Best Smoking Box Oklahoma Joe’s Cocktail Smoking Box PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey $60 At Amazon $60 At Home Depot $60 At Lowe's Pros This tight-sealing box will add intense smoke flavor to a cocktail without setting off any fire alarms. Cons It doesn't include a lighter or wood chips, and it won't fit all glasses. When we tested this tool, we worried that it wasn't working right because we couldn't see any smoke escaping. Then we opened the box and realized it had just made an excellent seal. The minimalist white oak box has a slide-in tray for smoldering wood and a latch to lock a single glass inside while it infuses. We loved the subtle flavor the process imparted, with just enough smoke to be distinctive. The box itself is a conversation piece, eye-catching but also small enough to tuck away on a bar cart or in a cabinet. Its size limits its versatility, however, as it can't fit taller stemmed martini glasses or coupe glasses and isn't set up to be used with food. We don't love that it doesn't include a lighter or any wood chips, but it's significantly cheaper than some of the other models on this list, which more than makes up the extra cost for accessories. Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 6.5 inches | Power Source: lighter or torch Food & Wine / Will Dickey Food & Wine / Will Dickey Our Favorite Cocktail Smoker Thanks to its easy setup and diversity of uses, Breville's The Smoking Gun Pro came out tops in our tests. But it's something of an investment; for a similar design and decent performance at a much lower price, try the TMKEFFC Portable Smoking Gun. How We Tested Cocktail Smokers We tested a total of 22 cocktail smoker models to evaluate side-by-side in our Lab, putting them through a series of identical tests. Setup: We assembled each smoker and got it ready for operation, without consulting the instruction manual. We noted whether the process was clear and simple for a first-time user. Smoke production test: We ran each smoker for exactly 10 seconds into a rocks glass, observing the volume of smoke produced. Then we uncovered the glass and timed how long the smoke dissipated. This measured the amount, density, and intensity of smoke each model could put out. Old fashioned test: We made a large batch of old fashioned cocktails and used each smoker to smoke a 2-ounce serving. We filled the glass with smoke, let it stand for 10 minutes, then stirred the drink with ice. We tasted the smoked drinks alongside an unsmoked control, making notes on the overall flavor and especially what changes we observed post-smoking. Cleanup: After smoking the old fashioned, we cleaned each machine following the user manual. We noted how easy this process was, as well as whether included brushes or other cleaning tools were helpful. After completing all of our other tests, we revealed the retail prices of the smokers to consider value for money. At the time of testing, the 22 models ranged from $26 to $221, with an average of $91. Factors to Consider Versatility Some cocktail smokers are made only to smoke to a drink in a glass, while others have a setup that lets you add smoky flavor to just about anything. A flexible hose and nozzle can go into any kind of dish or container to be used with almost any kind of food, but machines that have one tend to be somewhat more expensive. Settings and Accessories A few cocktail smokers have more than one fan setting, which lets you adjust the amount of air flowing through the burning wood and thus the amount of smoke coming out. It's a luxury option the casual user might not need, but it lets the hardcore home mixologist really dial in their flavor. There are also various accessories that might be included with cocktail smokers to extend their use. A cloche is one popular option: It's a bell-shaped class cover with a valve to let in smoke that looks impressive and can add flavor to basically anything that fits underneath. A cheaper model might have a flat lid that attaches to the smoker that serves a similar purpose. You place the lid atop a glass or any other vessel and it holds the smoke in. Frequently Asked Questions How do I use a cocktail smoker? There are different designs for cocktail smokers, but they all involve setting a small amount of wood chips on fire and then funneling the smoke into an enclosed space with a glass full of cocktail. With a "gun" style smoker, you place the wood into an enclosed chamber and a fan blows smoke through the attached hose, while with other models the burning wood sits atop the glass or slides into a smoking chamber below it.You can also use many cocktail smokers with any kind of food or drink, by putting it in the smoking chamber instead of a cocktail. Just keep in mind that the smoke from a cocktail smoker is cool; it won't cook food like a barbecue smoker does. You're merely infusing flavor into food that's already cooked, will be eaten raw, or will be cooked later. Why add smoke to a cocktail? It's the same as with cooking — barbecuing meat over charcoal or smoking salmon over cedar adds an extra layer of flavor depth. A little bit of smokiness will enhance many cocktails, and a cocktail-specific smoker is a way to add it effectively without accidentally setting your house on fire.Just keep in mind that it's possible to overdo it: Too much smoke, or harsh flavors from a wood like mesquite, can take over and ruin a drink with acrid bitterness. Smoke should be an element in the flavor, but not the whole thing. Which cocktails are good smoked? Many classic whiskey drinks do well with a little bit of smoke, especially if they're high-proof stirred drinks. The old fashioned, Manhattan and paper plane are all great. Agave spirit–based cocktails will work well, too, as in the tequila Manhattan and mezcal Negroni. And, of course, smoky and savory pair wonderfully in a vodka-based Bloody Mary. Other Cocktail Smokers We Tested Strong Contenders Homia Smoking Gun Universal Kit (Amazon) This set comes with every accessory you could ask for: a cloche and a flat lid, plus samples of seven different kinds of wood. It worked reasonably well in testing but only provided a little bit of smoky flavor. If you're in it more for the show than the taste, this one's a good value. VELEP Cocktail Smoker Box with Smoking Gun (Amazon) Looking a little like a Dungeons & Dragons treasure chest, this box can hold two glasses at once, and its small but mighty infuser puts out a really impressive amount of smoke. Almost too much smoke: You don't want to set this thing up under a fire alarm. It's a good value for lovers of heavy smokiness but doesn't offer any level of control. Aiernow Cocktail Smoker Kit (Amazon) With a similar design to the Aged and Charred smoker top above, the inexpensive Aiernow is designed to sit atop a cocktail glass and pour smoke onto the drink below. It added a strong smoky flavor effectively, but our issue is that its shape is compatible with only some glassware and really can't be used on anything but a cocktail. What Didn't Make the List The smokers we didn't include in our list of favorites were hard to use, produced too much or not enough smoke, made us worry about safety issues, or cost much more than other, better models. Smoke Boards Old Fashioned Cocktail Smoker Kit (Amazon) SmokeShow Cocktail Smoker (SmokeShow Smoker) Thousand Oaks Barrel Foghat Cocktail Smoker (Thousand Oaks Barrel) Thousand Oaks Barrel Foghat Cocktail Smoking Cloche Set (Amazon) Gramercy Kitchen Company Cocktail Smoker Kit (Amazon) CREATIVECHEF Smoking Gun (Amazon) BORUIT Portable Smoking Gun Kit (Amazon) Busy Bee Cocktail Smoker Kit with Torch (Amazon) Middleton Mixology Smoketop Cocktail Smoker Kit (Amazon) Bespoke Post Smoked Cocktail Smoking Kit (Bespoke Post) *Editor's note: Our tests also included the Crafty Cocktail Cocktail Chimney and Kuwa Cocktail Smoker, which have been discontinued. Our Expertise Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She tapped more than a dozen bartenders and experts to get their input on the best cocktail smokers, including Nicholas Lappen, Michael Neff, Kursten Berry, Eamon Rockey, Shigefumi Kabashima, Amir Babayoff, Gary Wallach, Bobby DeMars, Ivan Papic, Maxwell Reis, David Porcaro II, and Marshall Minaya. Christa Glennie also contributed to this piece. She has been a freelance writer and food editor for nearly 20 years and is the author of two cookbooks. She specializes in food and drink trends, agriculture, the regional foodways of Western New York, and the restaurant business. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit